The Tangle from the heart of the universe

footfalls, lighter than his but still notable upon the coldearth, drawing wintersbane’s attention and with it splicing polar gaze thru thorny vines; seeking, guiding as a lighthouses’ fire dancing upon raging sea.

the face, scarflesh over verdant eye; no longer of the mewling cub abandoned to the cold and harshstone of birthden within the sawtooth. a young man and yet… and yet it is still the same. guilt, it seizes within the tundrian’s chest, constricting as tight as if the boy were of his own loins.

as if he were his blood just as much as quellcrist — for he felt the same nagging guilt when he first came upon his daughter, spritely and young and lost —

astraeus?