4/21/2026, 2:53 AM
He still had hope. In fact, he was positive that the stars would cast him back home when it was time. It simply had to be true! Though…many never returned…that was okay. They were never meant to return home. But Adonis…he knew he would make the journey back. He just has to let the stars decide when that is, just as they had cast him here that dusk many moons ago.
But now, he did not want to go back. Not yet! There was so much to experience here. So many stories, including his own story that is unfolding before him. The mind was trying desperately to cling to every little detail, but often he got completely lost in the warm embrace of this new found love…and he felt the details float away like dust motes leaving a sunbeam.
It made him smile when she commented on his mother, and he nodded his head so quickly. His mother was, for most of his life, his everything. But now…now everything included Euphemia! What a wondrous addition!
”Yes…this one’s mother was the finest of mothers. Through her, this one learned to seek the best within others…as this one now finds the best within you,” he says with wide molten eyes, and he swears he could see his mother smiling with great approval behind Euphemia right this very moment. Part of his heart feels that tinge of an ache, wishing his mother was here now to witness such greatness.
Yet the attention was brought to that of fathers, his own a creature that no kind words ever fell upon. He stepped forward as she speaks of her own father, and it appears the father was not so much in her life either. Was this a message from the stars? Were they supposed to find each other, and was Adonis supposed to break the chain of absent fathers? He would never be what his own father was. Never! Her words come to him then, that she respects whatever from his father made him…him. He shakes his head abruptly.
”This one bears his size, and some trace of color, from that lineage alone. But none of the spirit, none of what truly matters, rests within this one. Never would this one walk the path Gravehowl chose. Never.” he said with great determination, stamping a paw gently on the ground as if to snuff out a small smoldering flame. He knows how he came to be. He knows the horrors of his creation. Adonis would choose death before such acts.
He feels then her nuzzle, and returns it gleefully as they stumble into laughter. Such precious moments! Eyes lift then, imagination running wild, but part of him was still aware enough to craft his words wisely.
”Oh! Oh! Our story could become many things, many great things! This one must learn all the ways of Dawnbreak, so this one can do as the Dawnbreak do!” he exclaims, leaving a little bit of his intent cryptic. What were the courtship rituals of this place? What traditions did he need to do or participate in? Such new ways, they excite him greatly.
First though, the staff must be found. The first chapter of their story must be woven. This land was Euphemia’s land, and she was just as excited as he to find this new staff. He follows her then, watching as she sniffs out a root.
It was an interesting choice…a living root…but their love is living! It only made sense! He nods as he begins to dig around the root, freeing up what he could, before leaning down and clamping his jaws. He tugged with her, and he knew together this would be done. With multiple tries, and with one pull with great might, they were able to pull out and snap the root. It was not the largest staff. It was a little…wonky. But he held it with great pride anyway! He felt the soreness of his mouth now, but the show must go on.
”Come! It is time,” he says between his teeth, turning then to find a spot among the trees that split, and allowed the sight of the coming stars. Thumping his paw on the ground, staff in mouth, he invited Euphemia to join sitting next to him. He felt his heart thumping, but it was like it was thumping in a warm oven. It felt so much softer than normal, despite that fact it was trying to race out of his chest. He knew no other moment could compare to this one, and he wanted to make it perfect.
But now, he did not want to go back. Not yet! There was so much to experience here. So many stories, including his own story that is unfolding before him. The mind was trying desperately to cling to every little detail, but often he got completely lost in the warm embrace of this new found love…and he felt the details float away like dust motes leaving a sunbeam.
It made him smile when she commented on his mother, and he nodded his head so quickly. His mother was, for most of his life, his everything. But now…now everything included Euphemia! What a wondrous addition!
”Yes…this one’s mother was the finest of mothers. Through her, this one learned to seek the best within others…as this one now finds the best within you,” he says with wide molten eyes, and he swears he could see his mother smiling with great approval behind Euphemia right this very moment. Part of his heart feels that tinge of an ache, wishing his mother was here now to witness such greatness.
Yet the attention was brought to that of fathers, his own a creature that no kind words ever fell upon. He stepped forward as she speaks of her own father, and it appears the father was not so much in her life either. Was this a message from the stars? Were they supposed to find each other, and was Adonis supposed to break the chain of absent fathers? He would never be what his own father was. Never! Her words come to him then, that she respects whatever from his father made him…him. He shakes his head abruptly.
”This one bears his size, and some trace of color, from that lineage alone. But none of the spirit, none of what truly matters, rests within this one. Never would this one walk the path Gravehowl chose. Never.” he said with great determination, stamping a paw gently on the ground as if to snuff out a small smoldering flame. He knows how he came to be. He knows the horrors of his creation. Adonis would choose death before such acts.
He feels then her nuzzle, and returns it gleefully as they stumble into laughter. Such precious moments! Eyes lift then, imagination running wild, but part of him was still aware enough to craft his words wisely.
”Oh! Oh! Our story could become many things, many great things! This one must learn all the ways of Dawnbreak, so this one can do as the Dawnbreak do!” he exclaims, leaving a little bit of his intent cryptic. What were the courtship rituals of this place? What traditions did he need to do or participate in? Such new ways, they excite him greatly.
First though, the staff must be found. The first chapter of their story must be woven. This land was Euphemia’s land, and she was just as excited as he to find this new staff. He follows her then, watching as she sniffs out a root.
It was an interesting choice…a living root…but their love is living! It only made sense! He nods as he begins to dig around the root, freeing up what he could, before leaning down and clamping his jaws. He tugged with her, and he knew together this would be done. With multiple tries, and with one pull with great might, they were able to pull out and snap the root. It was not the largest staff. It was a little…wonky. But he held it with great pride anyway! He felt the soreness of his mouth now, but the show must go on.
”Come! It is time,” he says between his teeth, turning then to find a spot among the trees that split, and allowed the sight of the coming stars. Thumping his paw on the ground, staff in mouth, he invited Euphemia to join sitting next to him. He felt his heart thumping, but it was like it was thumping in a warm oven. It felt so much softer than normal, despite that fact it was trying to race out of his chest. He knew no other moment could compare to this one, and he wanted to make it perfect.
