Whitebark Stream i should have been a better son

it wasn't an immediate realization. he had noticed traces of the scent upon returning to whitebark stream, and initially thought his nose was playing tricks on him. he was home, and his time away had been traumatic—of course he'd hallucinate something familiar here.

but curiosity got the best of him, and he began to track, nose low. it grew stronger, and with it, his memories. this was no hallucination; it mixed with other scents, like artyom's. it was too real to be fantasy.

as the smell grew closer and more prominent, more present, he lifted his head, as if the dark yearling would materialize as suddenly as his scent had. his eyes flashed green as he swept the perimeter, searching. he was caught between excitement and dread, his legs stiff and trembling. he almost hoped it was a dream, for wouldn't his brother be so angry with him for leaving nitya-mata and not returning?

@Satya? surya called out, voice not without a quaver, though pitched loud enough to carry across his surroundings.