He should have been more excited to be coming home. He missed the hail out of Alys and Sascha, sure, but King's End? It just hadn't felt as right once he'd settled into a rhythm in Stormbreak. Stormbreak, where he didn't have just one or two friends, but lots of Friends! Where the newest of Caido's critters could bloom and frolic and hunt without prejudice or the risk of overhunting, and the benevolent hand of the Family kept things running smoothly--
Well, they had done, for a few glorious weeks. Now, though... Tal sighed as he headed up the stairs, trying to shake off the sense of abandonment and despair that threaded through his violet-veined heart. His travel bag was slung over his shoulder, bumping lightly against his back as he plodded up the stairs of his house and tried to focus on the good that remained in his life. Seeing Alys again was enough to put a little more energy in his step, and he hurried up the last few risers, clutching the bouquet of end-of-Longheat roses in his hand as he hurried to push the door open and step inside.
"Alys? I'm home!" he called, his voice tinged with hope and longing for his partner. He saw Sascha and his eyes lit up - and he almost stumbled as Boreal shoved past him to romp forward in greeting for her little sister, crooning. Of his partner, though he didn't see any sign (though his Goggles were, indeed, around his neck), and he looked around in bewilderment as she failed to appear. "Sascha, where's Alys?"
Well, they had done, for a few glorious weeks. Now, though... Tal sighed as he headed up the stairs, trying to shake off the sense of abandonment and despair that threaded through his violet-veined heart. His travel bag was slung over his shoulder, bumping lightly against his back as he plodded up the stairs of his house and tried to focus on the good that remained in his life. Seeing Alys again was enough to put a little more energy in his step, and he hurried up the last few risers, clutching the bouquet of end-of-Longheat roses in his hand as he hurried to push the door open and step inside.
"Alys? I'm home!" he called, his voice tinged with hope and longing for his partner. He saw Sascha and his eyes lit up - and he almost stumbled as Boreal shoved past him to romp forward in greeting for her little sister, crooning. Of his partner, though he didn't see any sign (though his Goggles were, indeed, around his neck), and he looked around in bewilderment as she failed to appear. "Sascha, where's Alys?"
