Often, life had a way of turning one on one's head, a complete overhaul that made no sense to anyone. The coming, and going, of his birthday uncelebrated had caused Saul to think about everything that had happened to him in the last year. When he actually thought about it, this time last year, Dahlia de Mai had still been alive, as had Conor, however loosely tied to the pack he was at that point. Ascher and Shiloh had just gone missing, the snowstorm back in February spreading his family back and forth. Dahlia had been in such confusion then, even with him and Nayru trying to keep everything together. As well as confusion in the pack, Saul had been trying to come to terms with his changing feelings for Siku. It was strange, how thinking of her no longer caused a stab of pain in his gut, or his chest. She was gone from these lands, she wasn't coming back any time soon. She had been a childhood crush that he'd gotten over quickly once he had better things to be thinking about and using his time on, like his son. Temeraire's spirits had greatly improved over the last few weeks, with Bran and Niernan's arrival giving him others to play with. The surprise had come from a howl a few days ago, revealing Ezra and Elias to him. Teme had been over the moon at his friends return, and Saul hadn't seen much of the boys since.


He'd woken this morning with a fierce desire in his chest. He was so close to his old home that he could almost smell it, yet he hadn't thought to go back there. Dahlia had held such fun memories, but he also recognised that should he return, there would be nothing like there was when it had existed. There might be a few relics there, and Saul supposed the cabin he'd built would still be there also. He'd risen early, exiting his hut and sighing as his gaze was immediately drawn to the closed opening of Lilin's hut. He'd submerged himself in the lakes water, washing away the previous days grime and dirt. Now that they had settled here, at least for the moment, Saul had spent the previous day trying to find a strong enough source of sap to cover their huts and make them waterproof, as well as plan something for Ezra and Elias, who needed a home too. It had been a long day, and the stress bundled his muscles together uncomfortably. His run was especially important to him today.


Creamy paws thundered eagerly as he moved through the trees of the Dampwoods. His mind, as it usually did when he ran, shut off and he ran without thinking. It wasn't until his eyes began to pick up familiar swathes of trees and landmarks that he came to a stop, panting softly. He'd run all the way to the lands of former Dahlia de Mai, without fully realising it. Now here, curiosity razed his body and he moved without thinking once more. Were the ruins of their Victorian home still in Wolfville? Was Saluce's shops remains still there, burnt to the ground after a fire? He had no idea, but he had every intention of finding out. Green eyes were shimmering with tears as paws stepped onto the cracked and broken road that ran through Wolfville, nostalgia and de ja vu weighing heavy on him as he moved towards his first proper home, the tree that had smashed into it and destroyed most of it still laying against the structure.

Green eyes were pensive as he looked towards the house, propping up the tree that had been its downfall. He remembered, with vivid detail, the gut-wrenching crack of the wood splitting, and the screams of those who were trapped inside. Bris and Eclipse, and Melee, who had been having some kind of female bonding when the tree had taken too much snow and pitched forward. He'd ripped into the house furiously as he dug his aunt, cousin and niece out. They'd all got out fine, but he could still see the scratch marks as he'd pushed past the front door. Seeing all of these small reminders welled deep in his gut and he turned away, water leaking down his face. He cringed softly, assaulted by the images that were coming thick and fast. He took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts away forcefully. He was happy with his life now, even if he didn't 'belong' to a pack. He felt as though he belonged more with Lilin, Bran, Niernan and Ezra than he perhaps had when he'd been a part of Ichika, especially with Nayru and Razekiel gone, leaving X'yrin in charge.


Bitterness arose in his throat when he thought about her, and the pack that he'd left behind. He cared about a few of them, Jace and Temo and their family, Neela, Saluce and Eclipse. Thinking about his cousin, he sighed softly. He wished she'd come with him, he hated to leave her behind. But it was her choice, it was always her choice and he would never have forced her to do anything. But with the current situation he found himself in, she was another Stormbringer to add to their group, even if she was a Soulstorm like Lilin. With a sigh, he straightened up, shaking his coat out as if to rid it of the oppressing thoughts that had crept up on him. It was then that green eyes caught the light grey smoke of a campfire and he paused, wondering who was around here.


It took him less than ten minutes to make his way to the shore, four paws so familiar with the land that he didn't have to think. His tail was raised, as were his ears, in a dominant posture as green eyes caught sight of the debris thrown around the beach. Eyebrows furrowed softly, before green eyes fell on the familiar bulk to the Meria. His heart pounded against his chest as he looked around, before catching sight of the fire, the red-furred collie huddled close. Shock razed through him as he recognised the female, wondering what on earth had happened. Neela? Is that you? He spoke, voice quiet but firm. Confusion about what he was seeing caused him to stop where he was, taking in the scene and trying to piece it together in his mind.