Phoenix Maplewood and I couldn't whisper when you needed it shouted.

the howl brought his ears aloft, his eyes wide. dawn had become scarcer and scarcer over the past weeks until she was nowhere to be found, and aditya too busy to go looking for her. she would find her way home, right? she always did. but worry had sat in his stomach like a ball of ice, growing with each day she was gone.

strangely enough, the call did nothing to alleviate that worry.

adi met her at the borders, shocked gaze raking over her body--she looked much like shale, who'd starved himself to feed his children. without thought, he raced forward to embrace her gently, pressing against her damp fur for a brief moment before pulling away, mouth trembling slightly. the relief at finding her here, truly here, far outweighed the awkwardness that could result from the touch.

"what happened?" he whispered. "where did you go?"