Lost Creek Hollow the love of your life lives

Ibis wanted to be present for her father, to show her love for him and to keep the Hollow from crumbling away completely — but she just couldn't choose between these men in her life.

One came equipped with adventure and wonder and all the goodness of familial love; the other had the ball-and-chain that was Treason: chilling, judgemental, and difficult, but that could change if Ibis put the effort forth to try. She knew it was a futile thing to hope for a family reunited in any capacity, and her decision to abstain from a choice might've hurt them both right now, but was the only option that she had left. Ibis could see the pain cross her father's features and wished she could kiss it away, yet she made no move to comfort him. She didn't know how to be his daughter.

After some quiet, he asked about the trip. Maybe he hurt more than she realized and merely wanted them to be gone already — the question stung a bit, but Ibis chose to take the high road. When he's finished meeting the family, and saying his farewells. It wouldn't be long — he didn't know these people like Ibis did, and most of them would be gone before even she could say anything. That hurt the most. Selfishly she stepped forward, pressing her tiny self in to the plush fur of her father's — desirous of his affection and the comfort he could still impart to her.

Are you excited? He asked with a tiny smile.

Ibis wasn't sure - but she smiled back, nuzzling her cheek against him. I think so.