Otatso Wetlands 40 nights to sit and listen to that midnight train to memphis

his eyes cut sharply over to meet hers, but the smile that graced his muzzle was at odds with the expression--slow and smooth. "things were different, last time," aditya remarked. he was caught suddenly between the pleasure of teasing repartee--how long had it been?--and the pain of knowing all he had lost, since meeting this girl the first time. he tried very hard to focus his attention on the former sensation.

"i don't think we'll get you home in a week," he said, nodding ruefully toward her leg. "but we can send word, if you like." he sucked in a sorrowful breath at her question, shaking his head. he found himself unable to speak for a long moment, struggling for words to describe their tragedy. "no. there are some missing that i fear dead. shale, the father of a litter of four. . .kitten--"

his throat tightened hard at her name. merbani. tears came suddenly to his eyes. he had failed to locate the girl; was she lost forever, her body a charred mess on the plains? or had she managed to escape, and was now trying to find her way back to her family? he had come to think of her as her own daghter--either of these possibilities brought him great consternation.

"it could have been worse," adi reasoned quietly, swallowing hard. "i know that. but no--we did not escape the fire unscathed."