it was too cold for blossoms, as the heavier snowfall was soon to come, but lasher intended that blue willow and their children gaze upon beautiful things in the springtime, and so he had spent the morn gathering the roots for various wildflowers, and planting them deep in the frozen ground. whether or not they grew was a different affair, though he had hope that they would thrive when the sun returned.

dante's tread alerted him to the silver man's presence, and he turned, frigid earth clinging to his paws and minutely to his chin, from where he had had placed the roots in the ground. dante, taltos murmured gently. i trust you have been well?

he returned dante's affectionate nudge, gaze travelling to blue willow as she also appeared. pleased with their twinned presences, lasher let his eyes linger upon the healer. like dante, he too was worried for her continued lack of rest, but blue willow was a responsible sort, and he trusted she would slow herself if it all became too arduous.

glancing between the leading pair, he chuffed lightly. ask anything.

the willow deferred the word to dante, and lasher gave a soft chuckle, one that soon faded at the gunmetal wolf's words. surprised, he again cast a look between the two of them. taltos was no leader, but after the plateau had churned following peregrine's dismissal of them, and with blue willow seeming weak in these latter days, he had mulled the idea over in his mind.

to be offered the position, however, was a great honour, and while he had full faith that dante and blue willow could continue to lead the pack aptly, lasher was pleased at the idea of joining them. of course, the man murmured. what a pleasure.

he beamed at them both. i will do my best to bring pride to your decision, dante, blue willow, lasher murmured softly, tail swaying at his heels. my first act, however, is to ask the two of you what it is we will do with junior, and here he grew somewhat grim. i have maintained my meetings with her, but the hatred and pain inside of her must be addressed in some fashion.

it is my thought that eventually she would benefit from a mediated meeting with peregrine, one from which she could walk, at any time, if she so chose. but i would prefer your input, he finished, granting the both of them a level gaze.

lasher's countenance became one of disappointment and mild irritation at dante's revelation — peregrine was truly acting foolish. i shall find a way, he intoned gravely, and then his features brightened. perhaps i will take her for a walk when she has healed somewhat. she seems to enjoy exploration. he smiled at the pair, happy to take his leave when they had spoken their pieces, or accompany them wherever they intended.