Phoenix Maplewood All that was once so beautiful is dead

kitten, ever-so-forthright. this conversation apparently could not wait for later, and he flashed sunny a pained smile as the young man began to speak, trying to encourage him. he nodded mournfully along with the sentiments, a sigh escaping him as sunny finished. adi pressed his muzzle briefly against the top of kasatka's head before continuing, trying to find strength in her continued vitality.

like a phoenix from the ashes. . .

"i know you're worried, sunny," he murmured, looking back up. "i am, too. but i saw dawn after the fire had gone down; she made it out safe. it's more likely that she is out looking for them, herself." he said a silent prayer that his former mate had made it out--alive, if not unscathed. "as for pema and shale. . .i don't know, bhaiyya. you could go through the ashes, look for--"

aditya swallowed, clearly thinking the worst. he tried to steer away from that line of conversation, instead shrugging. "if you think it is necessary, you can look," he said, his tone almost helpless. "i would rather have you here, hunting with us, making sure the borders are secure. but i know they're family to you."

and to me, too. but blood ran thicker than water, and adi knew it well.