Redhawk Caldera we’re not that different at all

He moved towards the borders of Brecheliant with tall, excited strides. He’d long fixed his gaze onto the rugged stones that formed the caldera, far beyond him still, but drawing ever closer. How many times had he passed these grasslands and had them mean nothing to him? And how much things had changed!

Stratos had taken time to think through his decision after speaking with anaa. It seemed wise to do so, though his heart wished for him run forward full sprint without any further thought! Maybe he did a little, but the more he considered Ani and Dee, the more he knew he had to act, or else, he might lose them. Then what a fool he’d be!

He set the rabbit he’d brought them down at his paws to free up himself to call out their names. Would they meet him with the same excitement he felt in his heart?

He hoped so.

@Shenanigans @Chickadee seemed a good yet unfortunate time for this…

stratos' call came at a particularly difficult time. when the howl rose, chickadee did so. she pressed ani's paw. "i'll go talk to him." this was hard, and she meant to be poised, but turning away from the den left her eyes stinging.
and seeing stratos made them blur, this kind fox-boy who wanted to be their husband. chickadee bit back a sob and then flew into his embrace, huddling against his chest if he'd allow.
"ani almost drowned."
her voice was small.
"she's alive, she can talk and move but — she's not well." eyes strained by tears finally lifted to those of the moonglow boy.

We can fade if you’d like given Ani’s departure, though I’d also love to keep going until they reach the den!<3

The moments passed, but the sisters did not keep him waiting. Chicky-D came first and a rush of warmth brimmed Stratos’ heart. A smile fluttered and his tail stirred the snow. But the girl met him with a rush of something different.

His smile faltered to a furrow and a frown.

Chicky-D melted against him and he draped his leg around her, like he had done once or twice with his own kin. What had happened to the shining girl he’d met in the woods?

And where was Ani?

Her words washed over him like a sheet of ice. Almost drowned? Almost drowned? Almost drowned? And by the time their echoes had stopped, he realized his friend was looking at him with those large, verdant eyes that reminded him of springtime and summer.

Rimmed, now, with redness and tears.

He stared down at her, understanding what she meant, yet unable to comprehend. Ani was young - just a kid! Just like Chicky-D. Just like him.

I want to see her, was that his voice? Strained and echoed, and not fully catching up to him. You will take me, Dee? Please.

let's keep going till then <3

chickadee caught her breath and then nodded, quickly. 
she picked her way back on autopilot, voice barely more than a monotone as she explained that ani had drowned and had come back, come back her same deeply sweet self, but changed all the same.
chickadee did her best to explain the tics, the swaying, the trembling, the weakness, and she kept up a determined air until the den cleared ahead. then the tears came again.
"she asked to see you, you know." chickadee wiped her wet face almost angrily. she couldn't look at stratos, she found, not without difficulty.
"i'm glad you're here."