Stavanger Bay i loved you but i will never know

backdated to the 2nd

the rift is no longer safe. the golden mayfair has known this for some time, yet he has been reluctant to truly give up on his home - on all that ford had given him. but... ford is gone, now. elixir too, and all that remains is his son; a delicate, impressionable young creature. one completely dependent upon him for safety, for life. the thought terrifies him sometimes, makes him feel small and weak and so terribly unworthy — but now, it only strengthens his resolve. he is a father now, and he must think beyond himself and his own childish fears. for @Pheiros, if nothing else.
so he wakes his son early, ignoring the ball of anxiety writhing deep in his guts, and beckons for him to follow. he knows the boy will not truly understand, not until they are far past the borders and miles into the wilderness. he wishes he could explain. it'll be a new adventure, at least, he thinks, glancing back at pheiros briefly with a sad smile as they pass the fading border surrounding stavanger bay. for a moment, he considers calling to the pack - to any of ford's family who might remain. but his allegiance to stormrift had faded with the dark leader's disappearance. sentinel had faded, too; bit by bit, his attempt at a new life has crumbled, stripping him bare and leaving him as he'd been born - as he always has been, truly. he'd forgotten once, some time ago. he isn't quite sure how; it seems such a silly thing, to forget one's own identity.
but he remembers now... mostly. he is cortland tobias mayfair - and he has abandoned a great many things. things he plans to find again with pheiros at his side.