Ocean's Breath Plateau you only say that 'cause I'm not around

He didn't know what he was doing but it felt right. A shaky climb to the top of the plateau would surely fix everything...not. Athris was just desperate to clear his mind. He had postponed informing his sister of his thoughts. Granted that was easy to do when it seemed they only orbited each other like passing comets.

With the cold upon them and snow dusting things most days, he couldn't find to solstice in plants. Whether it be searching or applying them. So he was faced with the fact that he was useless for now. He figured the when the sun settled and he reached the top the moon might greet him. Maybe if he said the right things or moved the right way it would give him knowledge. He could be a real priest. Probably not but the thought gave him hope. Even if he hadn't done his best in the tribes he still hadn't minded the moon group.

He would never admit it but he had belonged within the moon tribe. Their soft ways could not be shed from his being. No matter how much he supported @Ashari in changing their future. Perhaps he was not cut out for what she was.

though she tries to stay close, she can't quite bear to subject athris to her presence. it hurts to keep her distance; she's never avoided him before, even when they'd been separated by the tribes. it had seemed natural, then, to never be parted from him — it'd always been the way of things. but that changed when he disappeared, and now she doesn't know if he truly wants her anymore. or if he should. or if she even wants herself.
she watches him from a distance, nauseous and aching but unable to tear her gaze from him. she just wants to lay down, but she's stuck here. and she wouldn't be if — if he'd only love her the way she loves him. she swallows the thought, hating how bitter it tastes, and finally finds the strength to look away. she turns and takes a few hesitant steps in the other direction, limbs trembling. she wishes she knew how to fix what is wrong with her. she wishes someone knew.

He almost missed her form but when he spotted it everything hit him. He was so tired. He was exhausted of living at arm’s length. He missed her closer presence and he had felt like a failure the night after she fled. Athris knew he would mess things up in his life but he never intended for his relationship with his sister to be one of those things. It made his whole body ache and he couldn’t ignore the tight feeling of a rapid anxious heartbeat.

Ashari. He called out in a hoarse pleading tone. Wait...please. His head ducked softly as he aimed to make his way towards her over the uneven surface.

she hears her name, and her heart stops for a moment. her limbs stop, too, suddenly and without her consent, and she sways slightly as she tries to steady herself from the abrupt halt. dizziness washes over her and she closes her eyes, sighing. she's not ready for this — but apparently he is, so she lets him approach. it takes her a second to calm herself enough to turn and face him, but even when she does, she can't meet his eyes. yes? she murmurs, gaze trained to the ground.

His heart didn't still even when she turned around. It felt as though someone had trapped a rabbit in his chest and it desperately wanted out. He didn't blame it one bit, Athris didn't want to be inside himself either. He was a harborer of bad news.

I missed you. He whined with an attempt to leave kisses along her muzzle. He felt hollow without her presence. Yet somehow that feeling had been amplified having her at a distance that was just out of reach. It hurt the worst. I need to tell you something. Athris admitted in a soft hum as his gaze looked out towards the cloudy sky.

How would she react?

she wants to flinch from his touch, but she finds herself leaning into it, eyes closing again as she soaks in the affection. i missed you too, she wants to say, but the words stick in her throat and smolder there. she sucks in a breath at his next words, eyes opening slowly and searching his features as if she might find answers there. what is it? she whispers, knowing immediately that it can't be good, whatever it is. maybe he's leaving her forever, like she deserves. her chest tightens at the thought — but she can't help but think he'd be happier that way.

He's dead. He said in the most vague, unhelpful way over. The young male had never had much tact and so perhaps that's why he dropped it so gracelessly. Dad. He's dead. He clarified only slightly. Each word dripped off his tongue with a heaviness he had never felt before. Athris couldn't force himself to meet her gaze. He suddenly felt numb, like that tidbit of knowledge had been what had bounded him so tightly to begin with.

Suddenly his gaze holds nothing. No love, fear, sadness. Nothing. Athris was a numb, empty void in that moment and somehow it felt nice in an unhealthy way.

I ran into Alarian and then I played God for someone I didn't know. He whispered as his green gaze stayed trained on the slow drifting clouds. I am filth, Ashari.

it takes her a moment to register what he's saying, and even then it doesn't make any sense to her. what, she says, struck dumb. dead. he's dead. the world tilts dangerously and her vision blurs with sudden tears. stop. she whispers as he continues, barely audible, but it doesn't seem like he hears her. she takes a step back. stop. it comes out louder this time, desperate, but she doesn't wait to see if he listens. it doesn't even register that he's already finished speaking; she's already taking several stumbling steps backward, ears flattened to her skull. she sucks in a breath, stopping to stare at him for a moment with wide tear-filled eyes. then she turns, and she runs.

Oh...

He had...ruined everything. Hadn't he?

Athris briefly watched his sister's form disappear before it dawned on him that perhaps he ought to give chase. Even if he did not want to chain her down or contain her emotions he could not be alone right now. He needed her. So he went off on shaky legs and with a ragged breath.