Time passed; how much he could hardly say. His vision had gone blurry, focusing on nothing and seeing only memories of his family and the possibilities of what his future might become. Deep down he knew that his family would not label him betrayer due to his remaining within Spirane. But the anxiety that the mere risk caused him was unbearable. He had to dispel these feelings once and for all. Surely this Purge would sense something was amiss if he continued acting so bereaved. To mourn was natural, yes, but to continue to be ridden by guilt as one served a new leader to which they had pledged themselves was not. These thoughts swirled unending through his mind, repeating themselves and beating his subconscious into a state akin to a coma.

Even though he felt his heart rate quicken as she drew nearer to him, he did not look for her he was so out of tune with reality. The lack of focus of his gaze and the mist of the falls allowed him to stare into oblivion with ease. Her scent slowly seeped into his nostrils, and he took a long breath to inhale the saccharine perfume. For the first time since he had laid his chin upon the rock, he allowed his eyes to fall closed as he simply let her scent fill his mind. The very smell of her was such a gift of relaxation. When her bark shattered the dull roar of his thoughts, he gradually reopened his eyes.

With new clarity his eyes fell to look upon her, and sharpness stung his heart and breathed new air into his lungs. Her words reached his ears, crisp and clear. Even so, he did not launch to his feet or move to bring himself closer to her. A simple sigh was exuded, a sound perhaps not of relief, but of sanctity. If nothing else could be right in this world, at least there was this. At least there was Malina. Sleekwing knew that perhaps the fates had been cruel to him, to let him see the splendor that was the imprint bond between his parents but not bless him with the same destiny. But to see her here and now when his heart was wrought with turmoil, it restored some faith in his mind that maybe they could at least be there for one another in times so dire as these.

After what probably seemed like an eternally long moment to Malina, but passed as swiftly as the blink of an eye to Sleekwing, he lifted his head from the rock. He made no attempt to otherwise compose himself. “Malina… Hi. I…yes. How are you?” he said. Even during this emotionally raw state that he found himself in, he found what he felt for her to be so perplexing. That he should be more concerned for her well being at a time like this than his own was a sign of the connection of their souls.