Noctisardor Bypass talking to the moon

Etienne had been gone for a month. A month was not long enough. One full rotation of the moon phases. 30 or more rotations of the sun to the moon. He knew it was too soon.

He had not struck the mountain born from his heart. And yet like a man seeking punishment. A lost soul in the desert searching water, here he was.

The night was cooler than the days. The moonlight glittered off the river like broken glass. It was just to check on them he told himself. Just to make sure they were all okay. He needn't even tell them he was here. They should all be sleeping.

He followed the river. His time away had brought a light back to his eyes. There was a soft sheen to his fur and he was still thin boned, but he had added healthy weight. He looked well fed and well mentally. Even if he wasn't quite there yet.

The soft murmuring of voices drew him toward. And like cold water he was doused in the smoky cadence of Heda's voice. He gritted his teeth and stopped. He didn't move forward not yet. But he was not hard to see if they looked.

Golden eyes took in the two sisters. A chasm yawning, a pit of empty abyss colored his innards, but he threw water on the flame and cooled it. He had done this. He had left to give Heda what she wanted, which was what he coveted and here he was. Watching them like a lecher on the outskirts.

And he missed them. But none of them belonged to him anymore. And he did not belong to them. And he was free. There was no obligation.

He remembered his mother's words. If it's meant to be, they'll come to you. He grasped that thought and he held tight to it with both paws. And he curled his heart around his feelings and held them. An ember, slowly burning.