Redtail Rise Tombstone

Ancelin seemed more than receptive to fostering their bond a bit more. Masquerade’s long tail switched and they ducked their head gratefully, falling into step beside him when the Bjern began to move. They didn’t know where they were going or what they were doing, though the Caru also didn’t care.

Their breath caught in their throat when Ancelin casually mentioned his brother’s name. Masque never thought about that, though it couldn’t be helped in the moment. They remembered all the gore—Atreus’s innards—smearing the riverbank and the way his body had sunk out of sight. They swallowed thickly, glancing away.

There was no way anyone could ever find out what they’d done, though Masquerade suddenly wondered whether it was horribly disingenuous to befriend Ancelin, knowing they’d slain his brother. They really should’ve thought about this before, though the Caru had quite effectively suppressed the memories of that day.

Realizing they hadn’t spoken in turn, Masquerade swallowed a second time, cleared their throat, rewound his words in their head and decided on naked honesty going forward: Really? I’ve thought about leaving too.