Father howled from a distant forest.
Moon Runner loped toward him and entered the maplewood; a beautiful place in wintertime. It was then she recognized the scent of this land. It had been upon Father’s furs the day she had returned. Did he often hunt here with Mother?
She greeted him with a low, wagging tail and deferential posture. Then, Moon Runner realized just how much tension she carried! The young woman vigorously shook out her furs, nose to tail.
Happy to have some distance from the Rise, Moon Runner began to sniff the ground with big huffs and explore the immediate area as she waited for the rest of her family to join.
she is not far behind her sister, seeing that her father was in the distance and moon runner remained close at hand. tension was swept away from her, for just a moment as she looks upon her family. small, certainly, but strong. she knew that there was still a decision to be made, and sunrise wondered if this was the purpose of their meeting.
she croons to them both, and offers tentative kisses to their cheeks and jaws, tail wagging in a sense of relief at their meeting.