"When you feel ready, you can find me at my cave… by the river."
The boy's words have been on Mateo's mind recently. His face too. Their entire interaction, really, shines in his memory, a gleaming moment made all the more bright for the dark times that would follow. Since meeting Pan, Mateo had unfortunately been very busy with adult things. The murders in the forest had set the court into a wild flurry of activity, and it had become difficult to find time for oneself. It was even more difficult to enjoy that rare free time, at least for Mateo, with the guilt of knowing that Casper and Moore would never again have that simple pleasure.
Mateo had hardly thought of his young friend until the seasons changed and the cold arrived with its usual indifference. Huddled round the fire one night, the scent of smoke and kindred horseflesh just as much a comfort as the heat, he thought suddenly "I wonder how Pan is doing--" and the boy was suddenly on his mind, on and off, for days to come.
He walks along the river now, a spare blanket folded neatly over his back. It is slightly worn and simply woven, but soft and very warm. Ahead is what seems to be a small network of caves, although he is not sure if this is the "cave by the river" his friend was referring to. "Pan?" he calls out softly as he steps gracefully over a tumble of rocks to what seems like the entry to a large cave system. The air is damp and cold and it seems, to him, a rather miserable place to live.
Far in the cave, Pan stayed huddled away from sight. He’d been back in Dawn Court, against advisement, afraid and alone as he sorted through his treasures. The murders had hit the boy hard, and he wasn’t sure if he could ever feel safe in the Dawn Court again… yet there is a pull that brings him back to the river and back to his cave of wonders. The thought of leaving his things behind was simply too much to bear, and as he burrowed deeper into his bed of furs and soft leaves, he closed his eyes and tried to think of happier times.
He thought of Runaveig, her voice soothing and warm on the cliffside, and of the happier days he’d spent in Dusk Court since leaving his home. While they were kind, the vagabond colt was inexplicably drawn toward Delumine once more, shuffling off the guilt at leaving his new friends behind in search of his selfish pleasure. For several days now, he’d been back… but his appearance had gone largely unnoticed as he slipped past the sentries and down the familiar footpath by the river.
Until now.
It is Oliver who alerts him to Mateo’s presence, and for a moment, the boy freezes in fear wondering who (or what) had come for him. Curious still, he creeps toward the mouth of the cave, ducking against his shelves for shadow cover as his seafoam eyes widen and his breath catches in his throat. Pan, are you there? The familiar voice brings a smile and a sigh of relief from the scaled boy, as he releases the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
Teo? Is that you? A bit braver now, he steps into the light, offering the dark Pegasus a sheepish sort of smile. Don’t tell the others I’m here… but come in… And he steps aside to share his treasures with the bard.
"Pan!" The black practically yells, relieved to have found his friend. He follows the boy, stepping inside the large cave just as snow begins to gently fall. "I brought you some blankets." With his telepathy he slips the simple gift from his back and places it in the corner. It was a humble offering, nothing worth spending much time over. "How are you?" He looks the boy over in a way that is almost reminiscent of a mother hen. One could almost hear a clucking sound, looking at the way his face pinches in concern.
Pan looks well enough- no scrapes, no scars since their last encounter- if a little small. In fact, it seems he had not grown at all in the months since they last met. Even his voice has that same boyish ring to it (the same ring Mateo's voice had, on occasion... on numerous occasions actually, loathe that he is to admit it) as though time had not touched him at all. The only difference-- and this could just be a trick of the light-- is that there is a certain sadness now behind those bright eyes.
But everyone in Delumine was weary these days. Outside the wind picks up, moaning ominously at the mouth of the cave. Everyone was weary, but not everyone was living by themselves in a cave.
The pegasus looks around curiously. The floor is hard and cold but he can see where the boy has created a bed from furs and leaves. Simple, and comfortable, and warm, but... it just seems so sad and lonely. Mateo frowns to himself. "Why don't you stay in the court? And why can't I tell the others you're here? Is this about those murders?" The rapid fire of questions bursts from him without pause for a breath.
"It's good to see you," he adds finally, with a grin for punctuation.
