Bitterroot Valley I played mine too

When the fox pelt had been mostly dried, Angel sought out @Elowyn with the stiffening skin. It needed to be broken and stretched, and then it would finally be done. She thought she might start showing the other girl how it was done, so that they might pass their time in this way together in the future.

She approached their little den, where Angel had been collecting odds and ends for the duration of her stay. The moonstones, the small collection of furs, a few bones that still had a bit of gristle on them.

"Elowyn?" she called, dropping the pelt in the snow and sniffing for her friend.

Elowyn was near the den, and came to Angel when she was called out for.

“Angel,” she said. “You have a pelt,” she commented. “How are you?” Her tail flicked with excitement and she watched her friend.

The sight of Elowyn always filled her with peace and joy. Her tail spun as they approached one another, Angel showing off the stiff pelt.

"It's for you," she announced excited to share this fact. "We can match! But it needs a little more work before you can wear it. Will you help me? I can teach you all about it."

She did not really expect to be turned down, so she was already turning to lead Kira back to the river.

Elowyn nodded. “Of course I will help you,” she said, smiling. “I’d be happy to learn from you.”

But her answer was unnecessary as her friend had already turned and headed to the river. Elowyn followed after.

It was not a terribly involved process at this juncture. Sometimes it was much like a game of tug, and Angel had always enjoyed that part. When they reached the river, Angel instructed Elowyn to grab hold of one end and pull while she pulled the other, and between them, they only had to be careful not to rip or score it.

A while later, they paused to rest their jaws, Angel giggling in mirth.

"My jaws are strong from bringing your moonstone all this way," she bragged, hoping this might make the other girl laugh as well.

Elowyn did as she was told and helped her friend with the pelt. It was nice of Angel to teach Elowyn. The young wolf still couldn't believe quite how nice this new friend of hers was.

She did giggle at Angel's brag. "Well, it was hard work well worth it," she said. "This is tough."

It was good to laugh like this, carefree and without any self-consciousness. She, too, felt infinitely grateful for the relationships she was forging, and for this one in particular. She loved Elowyn in a way that felt rare and precious, and almost painfully vital despite how short a time they'd known each other.

She did not want to ask her to go away. Not even for a short period of time. But she trusted no other with this task.

"Winnie..." she said, hesitating again as she imagined a week at minimum away from the girl. It'd been hard enough while she was visiting Moonglow — how would she survive it waiting around at home for Elowyn to come back?

Still, she forged onward.

"I would like to ask a favor of you," she said. "It's a big one."

Elowyn looked at Angel curiously when she’d said the nickname. She waited to see what she’d say. 

“A favor?” She asked. A big one? “What is it?” Her head cocked sideways curiously and her tail flicked. “You can ask me anything.”

Angel huddled closer, lowering her voice:

"I would like for you to go to my home pack in my place," she whispered, her eyes grave. "Sega wants to ask my father for my bride price — can you believe it? Only it's so far, and he cannot leave, and I can't go there without him! It wouldn't look right. And I don't have a father — he would have to ask Rodyn! I mean — Callahan would, because that is who he wants to send in his place — "

She was rambling. She took a deep, calming breath and began again:

"And I need someone to go with him," she said, trying to speak more clearly. "With Callahan, to my mother and Rodyn. I will tell you what I cannot tell Callahan, and what Rodyn won't listen to a man about. I need you to tell him that I want to marry Sega, and that he should not set too high a bride price, and... well... to ask him, please, if he will stand in as my father in this."

She searched Elowyn's eyes and, before she could answer, spoke again: "And you too, Elowyn. I mean — I want you to be part of my family as well. Always. That is why I don't want anyone else to go."

Elowyn was shocked at the request, but excited for her friend nonetheless. 

“Of course I will!” She said, her tail flicking almost uncontrollably. “Oh that’s so exciting. You and Sega are going to be married?” 

Her heart welled as her friend said that she would always want her to be a part of her family. 

“Angel, I’m happy to go in your place. I’m so happy for you.”

Angel laughed, though suddenly, her eyes were watering. She swallowed down a peculiar thickness in her throat and said, "Well — if Rodyn agrees to set a bride price, and if Sega can fulfill it, and if my mother approves," she said, her smile wobbling. She forced another huffy laugh past her lips.

"I promise, I'm happy, too," she assured her friend. "Just... I just want this to be perfect, that's all."

A tall order — but she was eternally grateful to Elowyn, who appeared determined to make it happen for her. Overwhelmed by sentiment, Angel reared back on her haunches to wrap both arms around her friend, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Winnie," she sniffled. "I don't know what I'd be doing right now if I'd never met you. If I didn't have you here with me."

Elowyn allowed the hug. “I will do my best to make sure that this happens for you,” she said. I want all the best for my new best friend.”

She moved her head to better hug her friend. “I’m so glad that I met you, as well. It’s going to suck being away from our little den.”

Angel nodded her thanks, trying not to dribble tears or (embarrassing!) snot on her friend's pretty coat. She lost her battle, though, and gave a little hiccoughing sob when Elowyn brought up the den being empty of her.

"I'll keep it warm for you," she said, her voice thick. "But I'll miss you so much. You'll have to hurry back."

She pulled back to look at Elowyn's face again.

"I truly can't thank you enough, Winnie," she said, softly now. "Not just for this. Just — thank you for being part of my life, now. And for being you."