Swiftcurrent Creek and nobody knows what to do with the heat

lately he spends more time away from the creek than within it, exploring ... possibilities. alarian is a pleasant distraction, one he intends to keep up with. he feels a restless itch in him like the one that drove him away from his family's home in the first place, and wonders sometimes why he doesn't just follow it. it had been so easy to leave the first time, but samothes has invested himself in the creek's development, and it is hard to extract himself from that, even if he wants to.

and samaantine is here, although that part he'll never own up to. even when she comes looking for him and he lets her find him, lazing by the edge of the creek. he does not rise to greet her, indicating with his nose that she may take a seat by him. "you're out and about, i see," the messeda boy says, tone casual even as his gaze turns sharp, the usual flinty stare he reserves exclusively for her.