Redhawk Caldera The world is having more fun

He stole away, initially so that he could find something to eat. But his movement led to wandering, and once he spotted the Caldera in the distance, he cast one last look over his shoulder. 

By now, it felt clear that Anathema wasn't keen on going back there at all. He, however, still had ties and while it broke his heart to abandon her, he did so, tail between his legs. She would never forgive him, and he might never forgive himself, either. But if he didn't go home, he'd bear the guilt of knowing he'd stressed his mother and sister out, as well. They'd already lost enough; he made his choice, and by the time he made it back to the Caldera, he was hungry, cold, and exhausted. 

Not considering the fact that he might not be welcomed, he crossed the boundaries without calling out, entering to the West where the hills were more forgiving. He knew he wasn't far from the Blackthorn den, but he didn't think he could make it that far before his legs gave out. Shakily, he dug himself a little nest in the snow and curled up on it, so that he might be a bit less exposed and lightly insulated. Tucking his nose under the tip of his tail, he closed his eyes, for what he promised himself would be a short nap before he'd go and find his family again.

There was a lot on Killdeer's mind, and with a racing mind came restless paws. He was criss-crossing the territory today, fur bristling with anxiety. 

He slowed his pace, though, at the sight of a pale boulder in his way. Wait, no. . . Something furry.

Wait.

Ponyboy? he asked, jaw slightly agape, when the scent hit him. He moved quickly forward and chuffed, nudging the boy gently on the shoulder to make sure he was, you know, breathing and all that.

Ponyboy, Killdeer repeated. Are you all right?

Good news: the boy was home. But what the heck had happened? And where was the savage girl?

Ponyboy's family would find him first.

The weeks went by and Bronte prepared herself to set out with her older brother, Killdeer in search of her littermate. But there was no such need. He had found his way back on his own.

As she crossed through the territory, stiff legged with tension, his scent blew towards her on the wind. Her hackles instinctively rose as she followed the trail, unsure if he had returned with Anathema or not.

When she located him, a blonde ball curled in the snow, she was relieved that Killdeer was already there. Her tension though, didn't ease.

Moving in, Bronte greeted him as a matured wolf. Shoving softly past her big brother, she reached down to sniff over him thoroughly. Poking at his ruff forcibly on occasion, in her examination. She found no trace of Anathema.

When she drew back enough to speak, her voice was clipped with worry. "Ponyboy, where the hell have you been?! The whole pack has been worried sick about you!"

"bronte."
her voice was quiet but firm. teya stood behind killdeer and bronte, and now she stepped forward between them to stand beside ponyboy, to drop down to her haunches beside him and pass a paw over his form, as if to assure herself he lived, he breathed, he was here.
"it enough that he here," she told bronte softly. "he home. we ask questions later."
coolwater eyes brushed over the others, and then came to settle upon her son. but for now teya was silent, waiting to be heeded, and perhaps for ponyboy himself to speak.

Just a small cameo from Seal!

@Teya had informed Seal of the pack’s recent going-ons: Anathema’s attack on a Moonspear boy (who she assumed to be Arcrux) and her sudden disappearance. She was shocked by her cousin’s violent actions and wondered how she could help. Seal knew Anathema had lost so much… and this made her reflect on better times when she had last visited the island.

Not knowing what to do, Seal chose to fall into Brecheliant’s background. She was a newcomer, here, and so it didn’t feel right to impose any of her own opinions.

However, when Bronte’s brother returned, Seal just happened to not be too far away.

Ponyboy looked rough. Killdeer and Brone were ready with questions, but Teya cooled down the intense energy. Seal hung back, ears attuned as she watched the small gathering.

He’d been dreaming- exhaustion had dragged him into a much deeper sleep than he had anticipated having, so when he was awakened he was groggy and disoriented. He felt a light nudge and heard his name spoken again, so he lifted his head and blinked. The fur on one side of his face was mussed and flattened against its usual flow. 

He blinked and squinted at the sight of Killdeer. He felt surprised to see his half-brother. ”Oh, uh, yeah, I-“ He drew in a breath as he tried to shake himself away from his dreams and back into reality.

The clipped tone of his sister, however, served as a bucket of ice water. He watched wide-eyed as she brushed past their gentler older brother and he shrank slightly in his snow dug-out as she poked and prodded him. Beneath him, his tail wriggled furiously against the snow. 

He was more surprised than anything else, that she received him so stiffly. He wanted nothing more than to give her a hug and show how relieved he was to have found his way home, but he felt like he was in a slide under a microscope, and remained pinned to the spot out of sheer shock. Exhausted and underfed, he wouldn’t have had the strength to resist anyway.

He jerked his head away, however, when he heard his mother’s voice. He uttered a soft, strangled sound as he scrambled to his feet and with his tail thwacking at his ankles, he clamoured his way out from beneath her well-intended paw so that he could squirm excitedly against her chest, pecking at her jaw with kiss after kiss. Whale-eyed and whining, he sought forgiveness and acceptance.

Like Ponyboy, Killdeer was taken aback by Bronte's sharp words and was about to gently tell her to cool down—and then Teya did it for him. He flashed grateful eyes at the woman and felt his heart warm at the sight of mother and son reunited.

Time enough for Ponyboy to tell his side of the story. . .if he wanted to at all. 

He heard movement behind him and swung his head around to face the young woman Seal, who hung back. He gave her a nod and a smile, then turned back to his siblings.

Are you hungry, Ponyboy? he asked. I can grab you something to eat, if you want. Or I can let you rest—up to you, Killer said softly, tail swishing slowly behind him in graceful acceptance of the prodigal son's needs.

Their mother, Teya, was there in an instant. Reeling Bronte back in with a firm voice. Her own lips tightened, ears slanting back. But she kept her tongue held.

She sensed Seal somewhere behind them, observing quietly. Critically, she looked over Ponyboy. He did not appear damaged. Just tired and hungry. Who knows where he had ran off to with Anathema. As Teya said, the questions could come later.

In her own mindset, Bronte was right to be annoyed. He had blindly ran off with a wolf who had attacked a kid for no reason. He may not even know the full story, but he would hear of it soon enough. "I'm just glad you made it home safe, Ponyboy." She muttered, her voice a little softer.

tensions smoothed. offering a grateful look to her daughter, teya glanced beyond the small family to where seal stood. "ponyboy home," the raven called, welcoming the girl if she wished to join them. her embrace was for her son then; she hugged him to her with a relieved, long sigh. he was home. he was here.
"killdeer. please take seal to hunt. she here to learn things. you can teach," teya murmured, voice warm despite the worry of her eyes. "bronte and i, we take ponyboy to my den. let him rest. eat. we talk later," she added, unsure who should be part of this discussion. but she would choose later.

Bronte's stiffness faded slightly, though she seemed to harbour a good deal of resentment. He couldn't help but feel bad- after losing their father and after Boris' disappearance, it was unfair of him to have gone missing as well. He'd made a choice, and now he regretted it- even without knowing why it was that Anathema had needed them to run in the first place. 

Killdeer made an offer to find him food and he nodded weakly, searching for his brother's face, though his gaze landed on the fey female he'd not noticed before. He looked up at his mother as she spoke, but the name she uttered caught him by surprise. His gaze snapped back to the other yearling- and his pupils narrowed into small beads. 

He inhaled sharply, but was cut off from speaking. Jaw hanging, he held his breath, for fear he might utter something that might bury him deeper in the ground. From his mother's tone, he could tell that there was explaining to do, but he couldn't help but feel deeply burned to find out that Seal was here. 

She was told to go with Killdeer, and it was just as well. 

Mute, he dropped his heavy head, and would obediently follow his mother to the den, too tired and beleaguered to ask questions.

Bronte was chastened by her mother's words, and then more came from Teya, who instructed him to take—

Seal? He knew that name. Seal. . .

He did a double take, looking at the young woman before realizing—aw, shit, cousin! Meerkat's kid! How could he have forgotten? (Well, she was quite a bit bigger—)

Of course, he told Teya, smiling. To Ponyboy, he added, So glad to have you back.

He exited the scene on a beeline toward Seal, to whom he exclaimed softly as they left together: The last time I saw you, you were as big as my head and chewing on my toes. How are you?!—

She couldn't help but glance back over her shoulder, stealing a curious look to where Seal was. She was anxious to catch up with her again. Their brief time on the plains during the great hunt had been pleasant. But, she was here to learn and to set off on a hunt with Killdeer.  

Catching up would have to wait.

Now that Ponyboy was home, she and Teya needed to get him to the den so he could rest. Sitting by at the side, she was ready they were. She would assist Teya in seeing him back, comfortable and secure in the den. She could tell he was exhausted and wouldn't try to bother him with more questions today.

it was settled now. teya guided ponyboy back toward the den, giving the others a soft look.
it had been a long day for them all. answers would come when everyone had rested.
she kissed ponyboy's growing ears when they were alone, sighing over the antics and situations of roaming children, but she was pleased and relieved to have him home.