ah! caleb finds him first, a relief to the volstrucker. he doesn't need to find his way through the jungle, he doesn't need to ask these poor automatons for help and get dodgy directions. he breaks into a wide grin when he spots his lover, opening one large arm to pull him into an embrace once he's close enough to do so.

"i know i am," he returns in zemnian, "but i can't remember how i got here. the augur must be pulling one over on me." he turns his lips into his boyfriend's hair, nuzzling his nose against him. "will you help me get cleaned up and back home, love? i can't remember the route from here, either."

nothing about this encounter is strange to eadwulf, just the circumstances, and even then, the augur is just like that sometimes. it's a necessary part of his new life that he's already adjusted to, a price he pays for reconciling with the brightest flame in his life.

"i missed you," he purrs. "i know it sounds ridiculous, i saw you this morning, but still, ah... i... i did see you this morning, right?"