Totoka River turn of the tides

after the last rough few days, it did him good to actually see someone in high-spirits. his smile mimicked her own, and as her lips parted to question him, he moved to brush gently against her shoulder in a silent greeting. "i wasn't expecting to be back so soon myself, if i'm being honest." he'd hoped to have stayed atop the volcano for a while longer before escorting ying back to her home, but obviously that wish had come and gone with so much as a gust of wind.

he sucked in a breath, debating whether or not to share the details of what had transpired. he knew it'd do him well to at least get some of the weight taken off his chest, and so opted to explain the short version of what had happened. "my best friend, ying, had a bit of an accident", he started as his golden gaze briefly darted to the floor. "physically she's ok, mentally though...", he assumed tzila would get the idea.

"so, i brought her back home to be with family." and that was where the story had left off. oblivious to the fact that his pale friend had slipped her way past the borders, astaroth hoped their tale would have a happy ending. it was wishful thinking really, but he liked to remain positive even as uncertainty loomed around him.