Porcupine Ridge All children, except one, grow up.

a smile split his maw at her response. you're absolutely right, aditya said, and then added, well, mostly. i have lived in several places nearby, but never in the mountains. perhaps i'll make my home here now, though. the thought came, unbidden, to his mind. would he stay here? would dawn? the future was unclear, yet at the same time, it was limitless.

i'm aditya, he introduced himself, with a small bow of his head. i was hoping to meet a local, but i suppose i am meeting a fellow traveler instead. where are you headed? maybe he could accompany her to her destination. it would give him an excuse to keep moving, to not settle and wallow in memories.

would dawn come along?

dawn. the latest, greatest wrinkle in an already-complicated existence.