[private] in which he arrives on Ischia

[Halcyon]

HALCYON

His earliest memories were already fading; there is no room for shady forests and the experience of nearly drowning in the mind of a growing boy. The world around him is full of sun and sand and waving palm trees. To Halcyon, that is all that is important. That is all there has ever been.

Mama responds to his summons just as she should, and Halcyon rubs his forehead against her shoulder in satisfaction. This reinforcement that his needs will be met - and with haste - is the foundation of a secure childhood. He's not aware of this, of course, just that he called and Mama came.

Mama is now leaving, which would be terrifying were she not whickering that he follow. He does, of course, and trots along beside her toward the jungle. There are a lot of green things here, and Halcyon reaches out to touch most of them with his striped muzzle. None smell especially delicious, and he tries a few more futile times to tug milk from Mama.

"What's a coconut?" He asks, stringing the words together. "I'm hungry."

@[Aquaria]

shut off your mind and let your heart breathe