Redsand Canyon Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay

For a @Meerkat seester!

As much fun as she might have been having accosting random strangers with her visions of their future, the canyon was getting old.  It was almost tempting to risk it, but her breath still caught painfully.  It would be another couple of weeks at least before it healed, she guessed, though she knew already she wouldn't make it that long.  The best she could do was at least wait until she could move freely.  Fennec stretched, then winced.

She managed to think about home only a few hundred times a day now.  She'd take it to the fucking grave, of course, but she missed everyone intensely and from the start regretted bouncing without a word.  It didn't matter how exhilarating this was or how much she tried to dismiss by saying none of them really cared.  They did, she knew that, and it was shitty of her.  

Bright side?  At least now maybe Bronco would stop trying to be nice to her.  She'd have less chances to fuck everything up if he didn't.

This was a proper wallow, her first today.  She sighed, tensed as even that hurt, and stretched out sphinx-like on her usual rock near the pool that served as her watering hole.  She felt a raven land on her back and start running its beak through her fur, probably looking for bugs.  Been a while since she groomed, maybe it would get lucky.  She ignored it, instead idly (distractedly) listening for any change in the still canyon.

She spent the night not far from the lake, with the intent to head home in the morning. But when it dawned, something tugged her further east, toward the foothills of a mountain range not unlike the Barriers. The climb reminded her of her stint on Moonspear, a recollection which made her lips twitch. She really ought to go back and visit more often. But for now, she would enjoy these uncharted territories.

When she noticed the reddish color of the hard clay underfoot, it made her think of the small canyon back in the glen. No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than Meerkat found herself creeping close to the edge of a much larger version of that landmark. Her jaw dropped a little as she peered down into it, a labyrinth of marbled stone stretching away into the distance.

There were a couple access points that led to winding footpaths. Meerkat ventured toward one, her sandy paw kicking a small rock which went clattering down into the canyon, pinging off the walls and echoing loudly. Her good ear twitched with each impact until the stone finally settled somewhere out of sight and, naturally, she sucked in a breath and shouted, "Hello?"

I owe so many replies but I'll catch her up tonight prob

Someone's voice yelling snapped Fennec out of her reverie.  She frowned, at first, confused and not sure she'd heard right.  She didn't usually make mistakes, but there was no way they'd found her here.  Despite knowing that they cared, she'd given up thinking anyone would be looking.  If they had found her trail, they'd know she ran off, and who cared what happened then?  She'd gotten herself into this mess.

Well, if she was wrong, only she and the birds would hear it.  MEER?

She lifted her voice, shouting at a slightly higher level just in case.  She probably could have kept her mouth shut.  She could have kept up an appearance that only the Wraith lived here.  If it had been anyone else... she might have. But her sister represented pretty much everything about home that she missed.  Easy company, friendly voices, and knowing family was there.

In a moment, Fennec shattered the persona she'd built.  The cracks had been there for a few days and she'd picked at them, idly, breaking the seams.  Wraith had independence, food, and could live here indefinitely save for one very, very important detail.  She fucking hated being alone.

Just as she'd hoped, her voice echoed back at her. "Hello... hello... hello... hello..." Grinning to herself, Meerkat tipped her head toward the sound, jumping a little when the echo shouted back, "MEER?" Wait, she hadn't said—"MEER?!" This time, the pitch was higher, familiar, almost...

Her eyes flew wide and her heart began thudding hard against her ribs. "Fen?" she said, much too quietly. "FENNEC?" she tried again, her echo bouncing back. The acoustics were so wild here, she half-suspected it was a trick of some kind, or at the very least someone whose voice happened to sound a bit like her older sister's.

Yelling was nearly as bad as howling as far as triggering her healing side, but Fennec ignored it when Meerkat pretty well confirmed her suspicion.  Her name came echoing back to her and she stood up, jumped down from the rock, and took a few paces forward.  It was impossible to hear where the noise originated except that it didn't come from behind, so forward she would go.

MEER, DOWN HERE!  There was no panic in her voice, something that might have crossed her mind if she wasn't so blown away by her sister even being here right now.  Previous times this had happened she'd nearly always been frantic because before, Meerkat passing her by would have been a death sentence.  She hadn't felt the raven take off when she jumped down, but she heard it let out a caw behind her as it swooped around.  Kraa, show her.  She had no way of knowing if the birds understood or would do what she asked, but she threw it over her shoulder anyway as she pressed forward.

I'll let you decide if the bird does it XD

No, yeah, that was definitely Fennec. Meerkat's heartbeat sped up even more as she frantically scanned the canyon below. She began scrambling along the footpath, very nearly twisting an ankle in her haste. She paused, took a breath and proceed more carefully. She didn't want to break any bones or fall to her death today (or any other day, for that matter).

"Fen? Fen! I'm coming!" she called, looking out into the canyon every now and then but mostly keeping her focus on the steep pathway directly in front of her. During one such check, she glimpsed a blackbird flapping toward her. Unaware that he intended to grab her attention, Meerkat ignored him and proceeded toward the dusty canyon floor.

When she touched down there, a loud caw! made her look upward. The blackbird winged ahead, disappearing behind a curve in the canyon wall. Meerkat blinked and loped in the same direction, shouting, "Fennec, where are you?!" as she went.

If she'd thought answering summons in the glade was bad, it was nothing compared to this place.  Fennec's ears turned back as Meerkat's voice reverberated again, coming from a distance and clearly bouncing in repeat.  She picked it up when she heard that her sister was coming, though.  If something happened and she fell, Fennec would need to get there quick.

Fennec felt talons alight back on her back just as she heard Meerkat shout, way too loud for how close she was, just ahead.  Holy shit, how did you find me?  She asked, forgetting for a minute that Meerkat might actually not be all that happy with her for running off in the first place.  She took a step forward before it hit her and she froze, awkward guilt stopping her but not making it into her expression.  A part of her knew she should apologize, that it would be the decent thing to do.  But another rebelled like it always did, shutting her mouth and keeping it all locked in.

When she came around a particularly sharp turn in the canyon's labyrinthine layout and spotted Fennec with the blackbird on her shoulder, Meerkat skidded to a halt. She stared openly at her older sister for the space of three breaths, then hastily closed the distance, bumping her muzzle against Fen's.

"Holy shit, how did you find me?" Fennec wanted to know even as Meerkat exclaimed, "I found you!" She laughed, pausing before replying, "I wasn't even looking for you, not really. I mean, I was keeping an eye out but I just came here to look around." Her words came out a little breathless and she finished with a huff before refilling her lungs.

"Have you been here all along?" Meerkat wondered. There was no accusation, no irritation of any kind. She'd always known her sister to be a little mercurial and a lot independent, so she hadn't felt too concerned herself. But she also knew how worried Bronco and the rest of the pack were. "Everyone's been searching for you."

Meerkat closed the gap for her, bumping her muzzle.  Oh, wow.  That really was luck, wasn't it?  Though as it sank in that she'd likely need to explain herself... and if she went home, need to explain herself more... it crossed her mind again that she could have just let it go.  Yeah.  I just....

Alright.  Needed space implied something happened, and while that was true, she wasn't about to explain that.  Wanted to get away had the same message, same outcome, and same everything.  Damn, she could do better than this.  She was a world class liar.

...got turned around.  Meant to come home, but I fell down in this canyon and hurt myself, so I didn't want to risk climbing out yet.  All lies.  She'd definitely run and definitely hadn't originally meant to come home anytime soon.  Enough of it was true, though, that she was straight when she said it.

Really?  I called a few times.  Also not a lie.  But that only expounded on her reasoning.  If they had been looking, that meant.... she wasn't sure.  But it didn't feel great.  Meerkat's tone didn't have any judgement, but Fennec was torn.  She really wanted to go home, and to see everyone.  She also really wanted to go find another mountain, even further away, where she wouldn't have to face whatever reactions they were bound to throw at her.

Her brow furrowed when Fennec mentioned being hurt. Meerkat took a step back to assess any injuries, though she didn't see any. She didn't smell any blood either. She did notice the bird again, after forgetting about it for a minute there. Meerkat stared at it for a beat, thinking of Sixsix, her gaze eventually wandering back to her sister's unseeing eyes.

"Are you still hurt? I can help you get home," she volunteered, naturally. "We're pretty far from the glen, so I'm betting nobody heard," she added, nibbling at her lower lip and shooting Fennec an apologetic look she wouldn't see, "especially with the way sound carries strangely here."

She'd been counting on the distance at the time.  Now she didn't mention it because according to her story she was lost.  In reality... she kind of was.  After the river carried her a ways she'd emerged and not really known how to return.  Kind of.  When I fell I hurt my side.  I think I broke something, so I didn't want to climb and fall again.  She'd never treated broken ribs but she knew that if they broke and pierced they could do a lot of damage.

Is there a good way up?  She'd walked along all edges, but there was no clear way for her to know, and she hadn't started to see if it got easier as you went.  With Meerkat there she might be able to get out. Despite her division on going home, she'd take it.

"Oof," commented Meerkat. It wasn't a very comforting response, though she could imagine how that might be very painful, even if there was no outward indication. "Are you going to be okay?" she couldn't help but add after a beat, feeling her heart drop a little. Fennec appeared fine but who was to say how much damage there was on the inside?

When questioned about a safe route up and out of the canyon, Meerkat glanced over her shoulder. "I can guide you up the footpath I took to get down here. It's steep but it's doable, if you're feeling up to it. If you aren't, I can go get help." Maybe if she brought back a few of the pack's strapping young men, they could carry Fennec out of here.

She hadn't wanted to risk it before, but if her options now were between Meerkat getting help and giving a go at it herself, one hundred percent.  Yeah.  It hurts but I'm good.  She wasn't coughing up blood or anything so she figured nothing too important was busted.  We can make it, just tell me where to go.  Don't bother them.

Kraa chose that moment to take off, flying back (she assumed) to the flock waiting.  She wondered briefly if they'd follow and felt a pang.  Despite everything, she'd gotten a taste of independence here.  Without them she'd lose that, and even if she had determined living alone wasn't her style, it wasn't easy to leave that behind.

Fen went with the first option: getting the hell out of dodge, with a little assistance from her younger sister. "Okay—" Meerkat began, only to be surprised into silence by the bird's departure. She would have to ask about it later, though right now, there were much more pressing matters.

"Can you follow the sound of my voice? Or would you rather I walk beside you?" she asked once the blackbird was out of sight. She would do whatever Fennec needed, hopefully without hurting her.

Once given further instructions, Meerkat began what would likely be a slow trek along the footpath that wound up and out of the canyon. She didn't mind the pace though. Every bit of her attention remained fixed upon Fennec, ready to nudge if she needed it.

Eventually, Meerkat realized she could spare at least some attention for conversation. "Bronco's going to be so damn happy to see you, you know."

Is it wide enough?  If it was that was better, but if not, she'd follow.  She traveled faster with another to guide her alongside.  Apparently there was because they started.  It wasn't too hard a climb, though she could tell after a while the exertion was going to hurt.

Meerkat's final words made that thought completely disappear though.  Fennec snorted, a little disbelievingly.  This part she didn't have to lie about.  Probably about as happy as he was before I left.  Which was... not at all.  She'd been avoiding him, sure, but it wasn't like he'd made any effort to see her either.  He'd been perfectly fine with her out of the way, and if she judged by anything, probably going on plenty of nice dates with Toad Amelia.  Who was nice, so she couldn't even... really properly be mad about it.  Fuck Bronco being happy.  He'd probably rather she stay gone.

She didn't really know what Fennec meant, though Meerkat didn't ask, at least right away. She didn't speak, pondering. Their footsteps echoed in the silence that stretched for a few moments as she tried to read between the lines. Not once did she stop and wonder if her sister's story was a cover, though Bronco's demeanor since Fen's disappearance spoke to something more at play beyond a simple wayward sister.

"Did something happen between the two of you?" she asked eventually. "You can talk to me about it if you want. If you don't, that's okay too."

If it had been perhaps anyone else, Fennec would have shrugged the invite off.  But Meerkat never pried and Fennec knew that with her younger sister, she could go only as deep as she wanted to go.  Plus, she didn't like to say it, but no matter how inattentive she might have been growing up and how much she'd resented being sadded with babysitting... she had a soft spot.  

He's been weird.  He keeps... doing shit for me.  Which, fine, cept I didn't ask for it.  Then I tried to do something for him and he got so freaked out he couldn't even see it.  Fennec tried to keep her focus on the walking, which made it easier to forget that she was spilling to someone.  It's been weird ever since he collapsed my den.  She didn't elaborate.  There was no resentment in her voice around it, but as she touched on it, she felt her throat tighten a little.  The entirety of that day had been a mistake.

She sort of expected for Fennec to stonewall her, though it pleased her when she didn't. Meerkat cocked her head, listening attentively as her sister spilled the beans. She didn't quite understand why "doing shit" was a bad thing, though it was also pretty vague. Her comment about Bronco caused Meerkat to look sharply at the side of Fen's face, wondering what she'd done and why he'd apparently reacted badly. There was so much detail missing. It made her so curious, though Meerkat trod carefully; she didn't want to pry too much. She didn't fancy herself a mediator, after all.

"He only mentioned that vaguely. I'm not really sure I understand what happened," Meerkat admitted. "And I don't know all the deets but stuff like this, it usually it comes down to communication." She shrugged, then remembered Fen wouldn't see it. Sheepishly, she glanced at her and added, "At least, that's what mom told me once. We're just about out, by the way."

Indeed, they'd reached the canyon's rim. "Careful," Meerkat murmured mostly to herself as she navigated them away from the ledge, into the foothills leading down to the flat lands. She could see the lake in the distance. "We made it. How're you holding up?"

Communication.  Fennec's ears went sideways a bit.  Seemed to always come down to that, didn't it?  What was she supposed to say, though?  'Stop being nice to me.  Stop caring.  Stop... just.  Stop.'  But that didn't make sense even to her.  She didn't really know how to put it into words for Meerkat either because going near the specifics brought it too close to the truth and that wasn't something she was willing to give on, even if it was slowly sinking into her thick skull.  

What does mom know about communication?  Fennec asked with a little huff of a laugh, then winced.  Luckily it had been a short climb, but the exertion had her breathing more than shallow, which meant she was really wishin she'd thought to bring some of those herbs with her.

Fine.  And honestly, I don't get it either.  It's all just... stupid.  Everything about it was dumb.  It's really good to see you though.  She gave her sister an appreciative nuzzle somewhere around the cheek/neck area, hopefully distracting her from worrying and expressing at least a part of her gratitude for coming to get her.  Fennec was terrified, and she'd probably contemplate bolting at least a dozen times between now and there, but she really was glad to be able to head home.

She might've cracked a smile at the joke, though the immediately subsequent wince made her frown in concern, shuffling a little closer. "Are you—?" Meerkat mouthed, forgetting Fennec wouldn't see, but she received an answer of, "Fine," anyway, right before Fen picked up the thread of the conversation and yeeted it in the catch-all basket of, "It's stupid."

Meerkat smiled at the nudge, then paused, wondering if Fennec meant that as a pun. Uncertain, the newly-minted adult decided not to make a joke in return, simply saying, "Same," and then, "All right, you up for the long walk home?"