Tormented Tarns oh, sinners, let's go down

set evening of September 9 -- piggybacking off of Sobek's mention that he went through the tarns. if one or both of you want to find his scent, feel free!

Maegi was despondent. Even more despondent than she had been upon leaving the forest. Sobek hadn't been found, and her interaction with Flicker had spiraled her into a dark, sullen mood. She traveled slower than before, steps more leaden. She knew @Anansi and @Sakhmet were probably eager to get back home, but. . .

She couldn't. She couldn't muster the strength to go on—not without her third child. Time was running out.

The Melonii parked herself beside one of the tarns, hitting the ground with a small thump. Her vision blurred suddenly with tears, and she blinked them hard and fast away, teeth gritting in anger. Tail smacking against the earth. She'd failed him. She'd failed them all.

She was quiet, but inside, the scream went on and on and on

The world was different outside of her beloved forest. Light was easier to find and at first it had been harsh against her eyes, suited to scanning shadows and caves. But she had slowly adjusted to make the best of this trip — which was no easy task considering the seriousness looming over all of them. The hardest thing to adjust to was all of the scents. Each place held something new for the child. Wildflowers, unknown fauna, stale scents of strangers.

She had stretched her legs from her mother's side keen on exploring more scents and sights. Although she knew better than to extend herself out of eyesight or earshot. Her nose glued to the ground as she waded through muck here and there. Then she found a scent that seemed familiar albeit a bit faded from the elements.

Pale brows pushed together as she aimed to look over her shoulder, hoping to find her mother nearby. Ma? Her voice called out mixed with concern and confusion. Could it be him?

Maegi might later regret bringing her small, pale child along on this trip. Not only was he a bit of a hindrance during the journey due to how quickly he tired, but he was fascinated with the outside world, so much so that he didn't think he could return to living in the shadows of Blackfeather Woods without leaving frequently. He loved the woods, as any Melonii born within it was bound to do, but he loved the outside world for other reasons.

Ena had introduced him to the wandering bug, awakening in Anansi a similar wild nature to Sobek's. She likely wouldn't love that when she realized it.

Still, travelling was difficult for Anansi, so his trips weren't likely to be anywhere near as long as this one. While Sakhmet wandered out to search for signs of Sobek, Anansi flopped to the ground beside Maegi, blind for now to the anguish that coursed through her as she grappled with her feelings of failure. In fact, he was blind to everything as he closed his eyes and slumped, wishing for sleep and only opening them again when Sakhmet called out. His ears popped up and he laboured to get to his feet, hopeful for some good news.

When Anansi came to slump beside her, she slumped, too, draping her chin over his scrawny shoulders. No weight, just the touch, sheltering her child from this awful world around them. If Sakhmet hadn't called out, she might have fallen asleep and risked losing another of her trio. Luckily, it didn't come to that.

Ma? She scrambled upward, hobbling toward her daughter, her face contorted in query. What is it, tala? she asked, concerned by the tone of Sakhmet's voice. She glanced to Anansi and then back to his sister, shifting her weight back onto her rear legs, useless forepaw dangling before her. Have you found something?

Please, Peryite, bless our efforts. For once on this trip, give us some peace!

I think so. She whispered in response, hesitant to give a more solid answer. What if she said yes and it turned out to be nothing? Her heart felt like it was rattling the cage of her ribs. Here. Her nose hovered just an inch above where she had picked up the scent. She deeply refused to make the call on if it was truly Sobek or not. It was hard to keep down the itch to follow it though and see where it might lead the traveling family. Back home? Further away?

She struggled to understand the meaning of all of this anyway. Why hadn't he been able to just stay home?

Picking his way toward his sister was probably one of the hardest things Anansi had ever done. There were weights on his ankles and his belly sagged toward the ground on his rubber backbone. His entire form was melting toward the earth, desperate for a rest, but somehow he found the fortitude to press on until he was right alongside his sister, pressing his side wearily into hers if she would let him. He lowered his nose to the spot she indicated and sniffed deeply.

Well, it might be Sobek. Admittedly, he didn't have the best nose. Must've got that from his mother or someone else in the family tree, since his true father had been an excellent tracker in his youth. He could definitely smell what Sakhmet smelled, but wasn't convinced it wasn't just her own scent she was picking up. Sobek and Sakhmet smelled pretty much the same to Anansi, after all. And following the scent trail? Fugetaboutit. Anansi was no good at that sort of thing.

Good thing they had ena here to do it for them, he thought as he peered hopefully up at her.

October 10: Please feel free to PP Anansi for the remainder of this thread! I probably won't post again unless I'm needed, trying to wrap everything up now that he's gone. <3

Maegi was no tracker, but she could recognize a scent when she found it. She drew alongside Sakhmet and inhaled; the effect on her was instantaneous and jarring. Sobek. The three of them gathered around the place for a short while, heads lowered, and then she gave both of them a measured look.

He was here, she murmured, and we're not too far from home. Maybe he made it back. . .? It was foolish to hope, she knew. When had hope ever panned out for her? At the same time, children thrived on hope, and she was not about to dash their spirits even if something seemed less than likely. She would keep hope alive for as long as she possibly can. . .just for the sake of Sakhmet and Anansi.

She gazed at Sakhmet in particular. Do you think you could follow the scent? she asked, trying to keep as little pressure from her voice as possible. It was worth a try, right?

They made their way home, Maegi hoping against hope that they would find Sobek at the end of the trail.

edit 10/26: wrapping this and archiving since it's been a month since any reply!