return [★] same old melancholy

♦

Torren finds Kiira's absence startling, alert by the sound of the door closing.  The scottish wildcat follows after without much thought, self-conscious of being too worrisome and wary.  The Coalition occupation had been rooted out, leaving the outside safe once again, but the youth had yet seen his friend attempt those steps.

He lingers in the doorway before joining her on the porch, eyes swiftly darting between Kiira and their clanmates.  The thick striped tail behind him twitched, wondering if she was even in a state to speak verbally.  Yet he does not wish to presume rudely, only clearing his throat quietly as Arrow unintentionally answered Salvia's question.

The wildcat did not understand the glitches but he saw their exhausting effects on his friend's body, only made worse by time spent ill.  "Lad- I mean Kiira - Kiira's been unwell.  I've been taking care of her here."  His house, although it had been in her care during his absence, now it seemed to be theirs.

"My name is Torren Winther," he offered after a pause, bowing his head politely. "It's okay, but I don't think any of us really know how or why she does that," he added gently to Salvia, hoping his friend did not mind the exposition.

**Alexithymia (n.) —-- torren winther / tangler / penned by petrichor