we could start again

‘Mine feels strange too, my child. But I can still feel him. Can you?’ You nod somewhat absent mindedly, glancing at the otter from over your shoulder. The fur against your skin is still hot, his discomfort muting your attempts to comfort him through the fledgling bond. There is frustration as no immediate answers are given, only guesses, and you sigh quietly, a fore hoof digging against the dark ground, the worry that had been dismissed so easily among your instinct to find your Ama and Papa swelling in your chest–and not just for your Trouble, but also for Eytan and Andikan and Gremlin. “Can we fix them?” Your head lifts to look at both the Bluebird and the Bear Woman, oblivious to the lack of familiarity, the awkwardness, between the two, all hope and trust, knowing nothing different of the world. It is then that Akeli falls and you squeak as the movement startles you, your body moving backwards and into your Papa’s warmth once more, your eyes wide as you watch her struggle against nothing (having not seen the smoke, the way the amulets had grasped at her neck so dangerously tightly), flinch as she cries out. “Wh-what’s the matter?” You ask no one in particular, your voice quivering with the fear that has gripped your heart, beating feverishly in your narrow chest, a whimper leaving you as Gremlin emerges from the little basket, writhing in pain with his bonded. ‘It hurts!’ She cries finally, and you rock in place, ears leaning back against curls of indian ink. ‘I want to go home!’ Home. Your eyes lift to the darkness of the forest that encompasses your family, all of it so sinister, so very strange and different to the world all of you had known. You hadn’t thought about it before, too preoccupied with Trouble and finding your parents and sister, but you suppose you had known in the shadow of your heart that there is no home to return to. That the places you had known are so far out of reach now that you doubt you will ever see any of it again, that this–whatever this place truly is–is all that is left. Why else would you all be here? It hurts. You make no effort to hide the tears that have lined your eyes at the way your heart aches as you step forwards, reaching towards the bridge of the older girl’s nose hesitantly in an attempt to offer comfort (for the both of you) where little can be found.

@Ktulu
sorry for the crap and the wait. been busy and just wanted to get /something/ up ._.