Phoenix Maplewood down for me

well, 'sir' was certainly an improvement over 'my liege,' though 'aditya' would have been fine and 'adi' even better. still, aditya would take this small victory. he smiled at her sentiment, gazing over the sun-dappled forest floor. it was a pack full of warmth, and always had been. despite their moments of sorrow, they would persevere. it was in their nature.

"it is," adi agreed, slowing down so that they were on even terms once more. he glanced over at her. "this isn't my birth pack, nor my family's. i never had a home, before morningside. they took me in with nothing but love and respect; how could i ever leave?"

he had been destined to be here. fate had washed him upon these shores, taken him to the borders of the plateau. he readily accepted the notion, welcomed it, even. whatever was had always meant to happen; whatever was to come was etched in stone.

"tell me about yourself," he said softly. "where do you come from? what was your life like, before this?" he had some ideas, based on her body language, but it was her story to tell.