Welcome to Gaia! ::

Latcho looks up as he replaces the fire starters. "Even if I thought to leave, I don't have the strength. Physical or mental. I do believe you will one day wish you had let me leave. But I won't do it again. I tried to be noble for you. Now . . ."

He shakes his head, "I'll be back." It almost sounded threatening, but he nuzzled her shoulder briefly before walking back to the entrance. "Keep the fire going, eat your fill. I'll be back."

Latcho didn't linger. In part because he knew it would just get more difficult to leave her, in part because he knew if he wanted the weather would make the hunt more difficult. And he knows it's already going to be difficult in his current state.

Through the increasing snow, movement can be seen. Low to the ground at first, like the path itself is moving closer. They shapes resolving themselves into a carpet of mice.

Small voices call out, "someone here," "Devlesa araklam tume," "see something," "hello!" "You're not Latcho," "Kaski san?"

Then more, larger shapes can be seen approaching.

"Ov yilo isi, Hello." The first of the mares calls out. "We are looking for our pral. Have you seen a stallion near here?"

The blue mare chimes in, "Also, it is cold. Is the haven big enough to share?"

The last hangs back a bit, quiet for the moment. She doesn't recognize Phoenix and doesn't think she's a part of their herd. She could well be someone who happened upon one of their safe spaces and isn't prepared for the overwhelm and oddities approaching.

The mice swarm in, finding small spaces to get out from under hoof and huddle together for warmth. The blue mare smiles and nods, moving past to enter the cave, "I'm Godi, thanks for getting the fire going."

The first mare starts to move in when she hears Latcho isn't here, "You know Latcho but he's not here?" A sigh as she shakes her head. "No rest ladies. If he's bad enough for Baxt to leave him and get help we can't wait for the storm to pass." She nods to Phoenix, "Sorry to disturb you. Could you tell us which way you last saw him?"

Cam and Sonkai don't move closer, their thicker fur keeping them warm as they keep watch, hoping to see their missing herdmate. Voice soft, Cam calls out, "Jel, do you want to stay or come with us?" At the same time Sonkai looks over to the other mare, "You should stay here Djilia. We can handle the cold. We'll find him and bring him back here."

One of the mice scurries out, clasping a bell. "I'm coming!" She quickly moves to tuck herself into the sister's manes to keep warm.

Djilia sighs, "that's kind, but he's pretty big, even if he's lost as much weight as Baxtalo says. You'll need help getting him back if he's succumbed to the weather and his stubborn stupidity."

The twins nod, accepting Djilia with no further words as they turn to head back out.

Djilia offers a strained smile, "do you mind if Godi and the littles wait here? The cold was really starting to get to them."

"Ah . . . Baxtalo is with some of the other mice, they're helping take care of him. He was in bad shape when he found us." Djilia explains, "can you tell us what's happening with Latcho? Baxt was afraid he was going to get himself killed with the way he was going."

Cam and Sonkai just keep silent pace, they and Jel keeping close watch all around them, hoping to spot Latcho.

"Insane Butterfly"]

Djilia stops to look at Phoenix, "what? Of course he's good. He's a little troubled because of some family traits. But he does really well with it all. Much better than his mother. We've almost lost her a few times and even when she's with us she can be difficult to be around for long. But we love her, love him. And if he doesn't know he's good I've failed more than I thought I had."

Cam and Sonkai come up and nuzzle Djilia gently. "You've done an amazing job. But you know as well as any of us how difficult it is to meet strangers." Sonkai says.

Cam nods and adds, "and with his feeding requirements Latcho has always struggled with believing what outsiders call him. He knows that even if most of us look different, we still are like most other Soquili on the inside. But he always thought his family curse made him more like a Walker. It's a big part of why he spends so much time traveling alone. He loves his family and herd," a smile for Djilia. "Loves his aunt who raised him more than his troubled mother. But if an outsider, bold and fearless and beautiful were to see past the walls he puts up and want to be with him anyway . . ."

Sonkai offers a sad smile, "He already spends more time away from the herd than with it. He tells you he just likes exploring, but he really is afraid he'll lose to his hunger one day and hurt someone. If he cared about a mare who didn't fear him . . . Even if he didn't care, he would leave. But between what Baxtalo told us and what she's saying . . . Sounds like he has feelings and he's been letting his fear trigger his noble stubborn avoidance."

Djilia just stares at them for a moment, then looks at Phoenix with new eyes. They'd found her in one of their safe havens. She'd been too worried about Latcho to really think about the mare. The realization that she isn't of their herd, and hasn't fussed about their appearance, instead accepting and helping is surprising. Then she remembers what the mare said, "You . . . You care for Latcho? He cares for you?" She looks like someone dealt her a solid blow to the head.

Slowly she starts to smile, "Welcome to the family! Let's find our boy, then I want to hear all about you!"

The mares spend almost 15 minutes in the quickening storm before they spot Latcho heading towards them. His steps heavy, barely shivering, but determinedly putting one hoof in front of another.

Djilia calls out and rushes to his side, helping steady and support him.

Latcho looks up but it takes a moment to recognize her. "Aunt Jili? I . . . Why . . ." Shaking his head, "doesn't matter, have to get back." He keeps plodding forward, determined to keep his promise.

"Wait, Latcho, it's okay. Let us help you. Baxtalo brought us because he was worried about you."

Latcho nods, "makes sense, I've been lost. But I can't stop now. Can't stop. Have to get back." He doesn't even look up, using his strength, what he has, to keep moving.

Cam looks at Phoenix, "he needs you. Support him, I'll bring up the rear, get us all back to the warm cave."

Latcho startles, "Phoenix? You . . . You're supposed to be safe and warm. I know you don't like waiting, but . . . I promised." His hooves stop, eyes closing.

Djilia and Cam and Sonkai tense to help if it's needed, but wait, sensing that this is between the two of them.

His voice soft, "I thought you trusted me. I was . . . I was going to prove you could, going to keep my promise. He trembles, standing there in the swirling snow, his aunt supporting him on the other side looks over at Phoenix, worried that he isn't moving.