Lost Creek Hollow onwards and onwards and upwards i go

ibis' absence weighs heavily on the child, unusually quiet as he travels with mama, close to her at all times. it isn't the first time he's seen kids disappear -- but brilliance and solomon had motivation, at least -- why would ibby leave mama and leave him? no, it has to be something else, he thinks, but can't dwell on any possibilities without immediately tearing up. he doesn't wanna make mama upset, so he does his best to keep his mind off it.

the promise of visiting papa helps a little -- okeanos perks up when mama announces they're close, his eyes, settled into their adult hue of a pleasantly citrus green, scanning for his arrival. unlike his father, he doesn't hold any ill memories of their last visit (he's never going to be the sort to hold a grudge -- negativity just won't stick) and bounds forward with a happy bark to greet him, his tail wagging behind him cheerily. "papa! i missed you," he says, but the mention of ibis wipes the smile from his wide-open face, and though he doesn't pull back, he does look to mama with a mournful expression, waiting for her to explain.