Swiftcurrent Creek Like waves of sweet fire

A breath is taken, and he exhales it slowly—missing the way chiller nights would make it visible. Around him, he focuses on the soft rustle of leaves as the wind blows, and the telltale chirps of insects rising from their long hibernation during winter. It keeps him grounded, in a way. Calm, with his heart no longer stuttering. Mind clearing from it's heavy fog. Just him, and the starry night sky.

The raven boy slowly closes his eyes. His breaths becoming slower, despite a cough escaping him every now and then. Those are normal, and something he has experienced since Day One. It is weird when they don't affect him. But he thinks—letting his mind wander—about a life where he can run; about a life chasing the stars. He wonders how they might feel, if they would taste good, or if they'd just burn his eyes like the sun does every day.

"Helios!"

The trance breaks.

Helios opens his eyes, just as gradual as he had previously closed them. His ears swerve in the direction of a very familiar voice, and he turns to see Zephyr dropping with a wheeze. It doesn't keep the silver pup from shouting. Helios wonders what his sibling's problem is, especially when icy eyes turn heated. The raven gets to his feet, twisting to approach his fallen baby sibling. He tries to press his nose to Zephyr's cheek in greeting; copying Maman's habits.

« What are you doing? » Helios questions, laying before the silver dagger. His breaths keeping even, in effort to help with slowing Zephyr's.