Wheeling Gull Isle bats full of shame

vesper breathed as he pulled the memory out from where it was hidden. they had forgotten about the caldera, mostly. that time in their life was hazy with depression, fights with whatever angry beasties they could find, and family turmoil. a small smile settled on their features as he assured the secret had been kept, and finally vesper allowed themself to relax. so much time had passed, this red male still as good as a stranger to the darkling, but that thread of trust across the years seemed to be just enough for vesper to feel more at ease.

they winced as caracal— their cousin!— fully read their scent in the changing wind, words dying in his throat. vesper didn't question his reaction, grateful that he didn't seem enticed, whatever the reason. they had come here to once more feel the earth they were born onto, yes, but they supposed they had imagined it an impenetrable fortress. the perfect place to isolate while this unholy thing possessed them, and while they decided on what they really wanted to accomplish by returning home.

i— yes, vesper answered simply, embarrassment unmistakable from behind their stoic mask. who else...? their large ears went back as they struggled to articulate the war of hormones and memory and self-loathing that raged in their head.