Swiftcurrent Creek I'm at a party I don't wanna be at

the old name sent an unexpected jolt of pain through him; he felt himself wince, if only slightly, and definitely unconsciously at that. adi recovered after a beat, though, giving lucas a sheepish smile. i'm glad you're well, he murmured in between the young man's sentences, ears turned forward to catch every word. he was happy that lucas had been able to find family.

i did leave, he explained. i went south and found some extended family. i stayed with them for a while, then eventually made my way back, though far mainland from where i was, he added, voice playful. he swallowed, then, remembering the final query. i had amends to make, here. old friends to visit. and i needed a place to settle.

his gaze drifted away, face kind but troubled. they call me aditya, here, adi said softly. govinda was given to me in a dream but. . .aditya—'adi,' for short—is the name my mother gave me. he couldn't ever abandon it fully. not even with all the weight of the world it carried.

which wolves are your family? he asked, tone growing stronger, face warmer, as he switched the topic of conversation (and feeling very relieved for it). perhaps they're here, and i know them.