What had she dragged herself into? What had started out as a good friendship had turned into her looking after a maybe-dead-guy's pack while balancing duties and her own desires. The worst thing was not having gone back home before it had all went down - but how could she go back "home" now, smelling like The Vale and their title of Alpha? She bit her lip, exiting her own den with a frown and making her way to the river. The world was dying, and she felt as if she was being ripped in two.

She sat at the edge, eyeing the fish that swam carelessly about in their own little world. A sigh escaped her, one that seemed to blend with the wind, and it was hard to think of anything else but her family.

His footfalls did not grasp her attention, the rushing of the water too entrancing to think of anything else but her troubles and her woes. Not even his chuff made her look away from the seemingly silver flow of which she wondered where it actually came from. And where was it going? Then, she smiled, however slightly. After all, it was Mouse - and she could only think of a few wolves who could make her feel better in this situation. He was certainly one of them. She turned to him, usually poofy neck fluff droopy. It seemed she drooped whenever she felt sad, even though she didn't want to be sad. She was with her friends, in a nice vale with an especially nice guy sitting right next to her.

I didn't say anythung back at home tha I was leavin'... She admitted, ears drooping down now too. I thought I'd just get a message ta Mattias 'n be on mah way 'gain. Didn't think I was stayin' forevah... She felt bad, yes, but it had been her own selfish decision. Even now, refusing to return, was her own decision. Her heart wanted to be at the Vale, while her mind told her it might be best to go back to her family.

She strangely appreciated him not being droopy with her. She did not seek sympathy, she sought comfort - and he was the best kind she could ask for. Though life was not breathed back into her fur, she could not help but smile back just a little bit.

A frown returned, her not knowing the answer to his question. Arturo was a father with a bit hotheadedness in him, that was for sure, but outright hating her for her decision? She could not imagine him like that. Neither could she Lotte, nor her siblings for that matter. Disappointed, meybe... She answered, feeling like she had just lost a little bit more of her understanding of her family. Memories were fading, too quickly, and she did not want to forget. I... I don't know... She whined a bit softer, eyes seeking his warmth and comfort.

At first, his words made her feel better. She didn't know if this was because it was simply him, or the meaning behind it, but it really did. But she was developing the bad habit of seeing the bad in things. Naivety had had her in its grasp for quite a while, but she had taken a stumble. She frowned then, averting her eyes to the water. His apprentice, a big sister... a good daughter. She listed with a sigh. She sought his gaze again, if only to make her question feel more serious. Is i' true tha holdin' on might cause more pain than lettin' go?

A strangled chuckle spilled, a sort of snort. He nevah liked mah wanderin' 'bout. She said, scooting closer. Though she had not noticed it before, she felt cold. She frowned, thinking things over one last time. I dun't think I wanna go back... She admitted softly.

Her lips quirked up a bit. It was true. Besides, hadn't Arturo told her everyone that grew up had the choice to go or to stay? sure, she had made her decision a little later than expected, but she decided she would just assume the offer had always been up. Thanks for raising me, I'm ready now. She smiled, feeling a weight fall of her shoulders. She sighed then. 'Guess I'll just hope they think back o' meh fondly. She turned to Mouse, simply not afraid anymore. If abandoning those that loved her for wolves who might love her someday didn't frighten her anymore, than nothing could.

I think lettin' go'll hurt meh less. Mainly because I have you to fall back on - because I have you to cheer me up and laugh with. The latter went unspoken, but somehow it was implied. The hardest problems sometimes had the easiest answers; just let go, don't forget, but don't let it hold you back.

She didn't expect Mouse doing what he was doing, and the very first moments of their sudden touch stiffened her up and made a chill run down her ashy spine. What in the...? Big eyes stared both startled and longingly at him then and she went to brush up against him - much like a cat would do.

Perhaps they would assume her dead. That option was the least troubling to her young mind. A dead wolf held no obligations or promises. A dead wolf was just dead. And if the Arturo she had come to know was the kind of man she took him for, even his dead, adopted daughter would be remembered. Her eyes fluttered down with a fond smile on her face, returning to look at Mouse once more a short while after.

Do I? She remarked giggly and genuinely in a better mood than before. Mmmhm, yours ain't bad either. She purred jokingly(?) as they somewhat embraced each other, neck bending and muzzle stroking.