Honeyed Pasture inside, he was longing for something to be a part of

BTS stuff worked out OOC. tags for reference. backdated a few days after this thread

His world, which had seemed so perfect, just a few days ago, had been thrown into sudden turmoil.

@Cortland was missing. @Ava had informed him that the golden boy had taken off running. Something had happened between the two--there was no denying the charged air--but he didn't know what. He didn't know whether to hold it against the woman or not. Had she hurt him, in any way? Was she not to be trusted?

There were questions to be answered and issues to be worked out. Right now, though, the most important thing was to find Cortland.

Half-frantic as he followed his friend's scent, Phocion ended up in a sprawling field, vast around him. Deja vu hit him like a blow to the face; he closed his eyes, memories sprouting up before him like spring flowers. Scenes from a simpler time, a younger man--brave yet foolish, with an endless future. . .

"We must protect our family, provide for them, understand them. Krypton's voice, warm and soothing, like honey in his ears. After a rocky start, they'd reconciled here, and the woman had become one of his closest friends on Silvertip Mountain. "You must be there for us as we will be there for you."

"Cortland!" Phocion cried out, voice ringing across the open lands. Bristling, nose to the ground, he continued to follow the trail--stomach clenched in half-dread of what he could find.