Banshy hadn't been avoiding their father per say, but they certainly weren't spending time with him. off traveling, hunting, out of their den more often than they were in it. Azrael had seemingly grown restless and Banshy was not one for uncomfortable, scratchy environments.

They missed Forgraves as much as Azrael did, don't take this as being uncaring, but Banshy had actually at least tried looking for the fox every now and then instead of filling half the den with carved bones and filling it with the loud sounds of nails and knife against the rough material in the late hours of night. Banshy just didn't know Eridanus existed, they'd never been, and they sure didn't know about Pegasus until now.

they'd been wandering as usual, noting how unbearably cold it seemed to be everywhere. maybe they had just grown used to the constant warmth of their resting place, the heat that seemed to radiate off of the demon, either because of his magic or the sheer unrest, enough to keep the two of them warm. now that Banshy had been more often not in such a close proximity to their life-giver they noticed the chill right away, though they assumed it would die down once they grew used to that too.

Banshy, as they wandered, had stumbled across the entrance to Pegasus in desperate attempts to ward off this creeping feeling of frustration every time they stood still too long. they, in a brilliant moment of realization, figured out this was boredom. Their den was boring, Azzy himself had grown boring, they were boring people, and while Banshy was content with being boring themselves, the lack of life once Forgraves left proved too much for the bird to handle.

Banshy had only the slightest of luck of finding their older brother when they had caught glimpse of him talking with another gembound, but Banshy wouldn't know the species, they hadn't been around other living beings other than Azrael for a while. They seemed busy, Forgraves even seeming distressed, so they figured it wasn't the best time. so they did what any other reasonable, concerned family member would have done, and crashed in his den.

it wasn't hard finding it, and the fox seemed to be too busy to actually spend daylight hours inside of it, so they just kinda snuck in. hung out, expecting to be there when he got back and surprise him, an unfamiliar feeling of mischievous excitement gnawing at the corners of their beak at the idea they might even be able to spook the fox a little in good fun. what Banshy didn't expect to do was find a chrysalis buried in the very back of its darkness, Banshy making a note of how much more lively this place seemed even without Forgraves actually being present. the fox made himself known when given the chance, it seemed.

Banshy sat by the chrysalis, inspecting it as it pulsed with magic, a clear shape able to be seen within its light of something forming within. Forgraves had decided to give life to a stone, and they idly wondered how Forgraves came to acquire one in the first place. the stone was a lovely pink, the name lost on them, but it was dotted with lighter and darker specks of different shades and hues of pink. looking around, the area around the chrysalis had clearly been worried over, comfortable moss, flowers, even small, glowing fungi littered around the base and area around it. Forgraves did always worry over everything too much, though they supposed that allowed him to be prepared for such things.

Banshy decided it would be best if they waited on their reunion. Forgraves was a busy man, and clearly had no intent of permanently coming home, though Banshy's intent was never to ask such a thing of his brother. if anything he was slightly jealous at how quickly he found his groove outside the den. they'd have to talk once they crossed paths again, and Banshy wondered if the creature within the chrysalis would have hatched by that point.

They wondered if Azrael already knew. for whatever reason, the thought unsettled them. they'd have to unpack that later. Azrael was no threat to Forgraves or whatever new family he was building, surely, strong as his reactions may be, Forgraves would not lie to Azrael and risk even the notion of such, although he could see the fox's urge to lie to himself sometimes. strange how time gives you perspective into the behaviors of your peers.

Banshy picked up one of the larger stones scattered around the den, covered in moss and large enough to fit in their hand. they hoped they could leave a parting gift, one that would last until Banshy was gone, to show Forgraves he was at least still looking for him.

as Banshy willed their magic forward, a steady glow reached into the stone, reaching through every crack and falter in its surface. it glowed gently but firmly, a reassurance. they set it in front of the chrysalis delicately, among the flowers, and exited the den.

Forgraves would be back soon, but Banshy wasn't counting on meeting him again now. there was a time and place for everything, of course. they would talk when he was ready... if Banshy could find the fox, that is.

they took flight, dipping into the tunnels once more, back to Azrael's home, and Banshy's temporary rest-stop.

exit