Honeyed Pasture I'll be home and I'll be free

@Simmik

It had been almost 9 months since he had left the wilds. Following his sister's order, Sadiq had returned to the frigid tundra keeping a wary eye on their sister. He was thin and ragged, even in the sun and abundance of spring the arctic was never forgiving. It had been a difficult time for the man, but he made no complaint. Finding his time there, alone, as a sort of penance for what happened last year. For the deaths that he could have prevented, had he only been a little bit stronger.

Having learned of Shila's latest litter, Sadiq decided it was time to return to Takiyok. Give her the dreadful news, and taking some time to recuperate. He was in desperate need of a solid meal, and a good rest. His frame was littered with more scars that he had left with, a prominent scar now running along his cheek and down his muzzle.

As he ventured further and further into the Wilds, Sadiq was surprised by some of the carnage. Their had obviously been a great disaster here. The thudding of his heart the only indication that he was remotely worried. Was Takiyok ok? Had she found her children before whatever had REKT the landscape?

She hadn't been this far north in a while, partly because she had been avoiding the glacier but mostly because she had been busy, helping out at home and exploring other areas. But today, she made her way up through the fields that were a painful reminder of Matty, quickly moving through without really stopping to examine anything.  

Eventually the flowers disappeared, leaving only a vast grassland that seemed to move as one every time the breeze moved through it. She stood and watched waves move through the grass, a scent eventually drifting by with a strong gust of wind. It was alarmingly familiar, but she couldn't place it at first. Somehow, she knew she needed to follow it though, and so she made her way through the grass, not stopping until it finally hit her to whom the scent belonged. But how was that possible? She had't seen him since dad died, and she wondered if he was looking for her or her brothers on their mother's behalf.

She came to stop when she finally saw his pale form against the muted green of the grass. He was skinny and looked weary. She moved a little closer. Uncle? she asked. Then she paused a few feet away, unsure if he would remember her. She was quite a bit older than the last time he had seen her, but she hoped he would see the family resemblance.

The wind betrayed him, hiding her scent from him until her voice instead of her scent was the first to reach him. He hadn't been called Uncle in a long time, so the odd phrase paused his step. The second things to faze him was the use of his native tongue, it was a language most this far south had never even heard. He turned his head in questioning toward the young woman as she approached.

For a moment, Sadiq could have sworn it was Takiyok coming toward him. The resemblance was uncanny, so much so the Sadiq had to shake his head to convince himself he wasn't hallucinating from hunger. "Who?" He croaked, his voice hoarse from disuse. Clearing it he tried again, "You look just like — I — Uncle?" Sadiq voiced again still confused. Ever so slowly it dawned on him. The rambuntious little girl. His sister's only daughter. "Simmik?" Sadiq's eyes widened as he saw her again for the first time. It had been so long.

he seemed pretty confused, which told her he didn't immediately recognize her. She didn't blame him though; the last time they had seen each other, she was kid. He did make the connection eventually, and she nodded when he said her name. She stepped closer, allowing her to see the scar on his face. Had that been there before? Her memories of that time were pretty hazy, so he couldn't be sure.

She looked him over, wondering how long he'd been on his own. He had to have been, with how he looked. What are you doing here? she asked. If he was here to bring her home, then she would tell him that she had a new home, and that she would return to see her family on her terms only.