Rift's tail thumped against the ground and his head sunk down. He didn't want Sebastian to leave. No, he couldn't leave. This was their forest! This was their home! And he was supposed to be there for Rift! But he knew that he couldn't force him to do anything...or could he? No, that would be wrong. He had the right to be his own creature. Even if that meant, and it was hard for Rift to even think it, leaving the cave.

When his tongue began to brush down his fur, Rift didn't move for a moment. Like minded others? Like Splotch, wherever she had gone? No, nobody else would stay. He knew that they were the only ones. And he had been the one to raise Sebastian in the love in the first place. Which meant he was the only one.

This thought completely soured his mood and he stepped away from Sebastian's grooming and shook out his pelt uncomfortably. "I guess. But I doubt there are any others. Nobody cares about the forest, it seems, else they would be here!" He looked at his brother, his eyes blank. "I don't want you to leave."

Without another word, he turned and walked back to their home under the tree, so many thoughts whirling in his head to the point where he didn't know what he was thinking any more. He had work to do on his garden.

*exit, unless Sebastian stops him or joins him

@Sebastian

Sebastian purred quietly, rumbling as he groomed his brothers fur. It was an attempt at soothing, trying to clear away whatever was bothering his brother.

What had brought this on? He couldn't imagine it, had he done something? It had started with Rift being upset about his plants, thinking they may dislike him for trying to control them. And somehow, it had warped into Rift turning on him, being angry with him for daring to leave Eridanus. He was so confused.

Rift stepped away, and Sebastian looked up at the tawny cougar, tilting his head sadly. What was going on with his brother? He didn't understand! His brother's words made him flinch, but before he could say anything more, Rift was gone.

"Rift..." The panther murmured, before deciding to give his brother time. That's what he needed, wasn't it? Some time? So the black big cat whirled, and vanished into the forest, ears flat, head low, and tail lashing.

[EXIT]

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.