give me moonlight when I'm leaving; Posted on April 1, 2025 at 04:15:21 AM by Arroyo
"You are well, I hope?" Ignacio asks, and the corner of Arroyo's lip tugs upward as he settles in to converse with his friend.
"A little worse for wear, but I am well. Lucifer got me a good one," the red dun says, craning his neck to motion to the long bite wound on his back. "Hopefully Deirdre will still have me," he laughs softly, knowing that she would.
"I-" Ignacio starts, and Arroyo's eyes quickly find his companion's face. There is worry there, and Arroyo frowns. Ignacio explains how he had tried to keep the Harbor safe in Arroyo's absence and how he had failed. Arroyo's ears press forward as he offers a touch of comfort, a soft nose against Ignacio's shoulder.
"No," Arroyo says, drawing his head back. "Please do not apologize. I should have told you where I was going." Arroyo hadn't realize the effect his leaving would have on his friend, but he feels the guilt now, and he blinks hard against it.
Arroyo swallows. "I took the girls and the kids to see my homeland," he says, searching Ignacio for any hint of reproof. "I have loved the Harbor, but I've never thought of any one place as mine. It is good that other families have found respite there." Arroyo's ears rest gently against his mane and he lowers his head. "I am the one who should be sorry, Ignacio."
The conversation turns to the Ridge, and Arroyo looks about the ancient trees and hanging vines and his lips crook into a half smile. "I do think they will like it... and I hope you will stay with us?" He motions for them to walk on and says, "Let's go check it out. I haven't had a chance to explore much." Replies: There have been no replies.