Lost Creek Hollow i'll draw a map of the world

It felt almost odd, to walk in peace.

Doedapple’s honed instinct hummed in the back of her mind, edging the line of paranoia. One of her ears was tipped behind them both, but all she could hear was the forest. It made her uneasy. Quickly, she shot a look over her shoulder, one side, then the other, then forward again. They hadn’t been followed, that she was sure.

A soft exhale, a glance to @Kestrelcloud , judging his reaction in heartbeats, before she again focused forward.

We’re here.

Riverclan, the hollow opened before them.

She tipped back her head, calling for @Silvertongue , then, after a beat, @Ash Star as well.

Kel was a watchful shadow at her back, occasionally touching his nose to her hip to remind her of his presence. It was good to be back in the Teekon Wilds, good to be free of the tension which had gripped them so tightly over the last weeks, but even so he found it difficult to truly let his guard down. His view of the world had changed. Even his time in Willowspire had not taught him the full truth of war; it had been a sanctuary, a mountain fortress untouched by the chaos in the valley below.

Now it was gone. Now they were back. He still wasn't sure he wanted to see Crowfeather again, but Kel never could say no to Doedapple. Had she asked for the world he would have found a way to sling it over his shoulders and carry it to her. But she only asked for this, for him to follow where she led, and so here he was. He did not join her call. He drew up alongside her and brushed his muzzle over her shoulder, but said nothing.

little by little, a sense of normalcy returned to riverclan. she still kept mostly to the shadows, avoiding crowfeather where she could and keeping a peaceful, silent company when they were together. today she had been examining the finer points of their garden beside the river when the call rose. doedapple. kestrelcloud. their time here before had been marked by tragedy. when silvertongue came to find them, they would see her changed, but they would also see the light and inviting smile on her face. "welcome back."

Laser-focused, Doedapple’s eyes found the woman approaching them. For a moment, she tensed.

Then, she recognized her and the breath left her in a huff.

Silvertongue. She looked tired, and Doe’s eyes clocked the leg for only a moment before she pulled her eyes back to Silver’s.

A wry, tired smile. A cracked voice (-maybe never again, serah. the wounding was deep.)

Its good to see you.

"it is good to see you also, doedapple." she reached for the woman, then nodded to kestrelcloud. "have you come back, or are you only visiting?" there had been significant changes to riverclan; some immediately notable, others not. quietly she waited.