Hushed Willows Beautiful Sunrise Mother May I

We're there.

You are always welcome.

Melaneus drew these promises close to his heart and tucked them away where even the fog of the Weald would not be able to find them. True, he had thought these things of his family - but even though they were no longer there when he'd trusted they would be, he did not take Rodyn to be a man of flippant words. Not that his family had been, either. Father had left out of loyalty to mother, and surely had only left him behind because he had mistaken Melaneus for missing, too.

You got them that pelt? Melaneus said, eyes wide as he fell in step at his friend's beckon. He had always just assumed father had caught it, and had never asked beyond. But a new story unfolded before him now, and a friendship he had never had the mind to ask his father about. Melaneus tipped his head in a little bow. I would like that, if you taught me how to get a pelt like that, too.

Maybe he could give the pelt to his parents when they got back. Or maybe Moongirl would like it instead.