Blackfoot Forest take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears

The moment he heard her retreat, his attention was torn from the scene before him and soared after her. However clouded his mind was, he was aware enough to remember that she was important to him. They were friends—lovers?—and partners in battle, and he couldn’t stand the thought of losing her. So he tore after her, maintaining a constant visual as he tried to close the distance between them—but she was having none of it. For as quick as he ran she continued to be just out of his reach, refusing to stop and return to him.

And how could he blame her?

Alexander had not retreated immediately to her side, he’d instead allowed for his body to control his actions; to this moment, it still wanted Indra—and maybe even Laurel, too—but he forced them both from his mind and let his focus lingered solely on his friend. He opened his mouth to call out to her, to urge her to stop and listen to him, but the words became trapped and died away as he bore witness to her sudden falter.

Ice claimed the girl and sent her sliding, the sight filling him with concern and pushing him to pick up his pace; he avoided the ice to the best of his abilities, sliding only slightly before his balance was reclaimed. A part of him was thankful that she’d fallen, the distance between them easy to cover, but he was as equally mortified by it as concern for her well-being welled up within him. Both thoughts propelled him forward and he was soon upon her, ears back with worry whilst he let out a whine.

Without thinking, he reached out to nudge her with the side of his muzzle, wondering if she needed medical attention.