Sanguine Cove Something's missing and I wanna know why

backdated 8/4 for @Chan

It had been clear to Nash that something was... Off with Chan. He wasn't himself. The younger Eastfall boy thought Chan would be excited to meet his nieces and nephews - had he not promised to return for that fact alone? But when Aquene introduced them, Chan had shut down.

The newish leader had let his brother go his own way, as he clearly wanted to, but now it was a new day and he wanted to speak with him. Privately. Nash slipped away when his children were preoccupied, going to avoid any of them following him, and wandered off to find Chan.

When he finally caught his scent he followed it, finally spotting his agouti frame. "Chan," he called softly, almost gently.

Chan had slaked his thirst and then practically collapsed inside of the pack's den. The trips between Kingsfall and Turtleback, along with prioritizing Finley and Flair's health for so long, had ensured the drought had taken its proper toll on his body. He had been unable to find any water from there to the Cove outside of Lost Lake, and continued to be exhausted from the journey and climb. It caused him to fall into a deep sleep, which lasted well into the next day.

When he awoke, his mouth was as dry as sand once more. Chan struggled onto his paws and made his way to the lake's dwindled edge slowly, hampered by lightheadedness. When he reached the water, he lay down in it, and drank with each breath. He'd been there for hours by the time Nash sought him out. He felt better, but couldn't think of anywhere he'd rather be.

When he heard his brother call out, he'd been watching geese as they fed and rested upon the ripples. The tone of Nash's voice caused his ears to lean back and his nerves to bristle. Already, then?

"Heya bud," he answered, looking over his shoulder with a broad smile.

"How's it going?"