Sunbeam Lair I carry the weight on my back

she is maybe trespassing? Feel free to handle however! Figured this could be a fun spot to toss her ^^

If she could just find a single goddamn landmark…

Fennec was exhausted. She’d been trying for weeks to get back home, but at this point she was so turned around she wasn’t sure which way home even was. Had she gone too far south? Too far east?

This was the third mountain range she’d hit. They all felt the same. She’d picked the trail she was on praying to whatever forces might still look kindly on her that it wasn’t a dead end. She didn’t think she could manage a climb back down. Already the only thing driving her was mechanical doggedness.

She’d survived this long. Skill, tricks she’d picked up over the years, and quite a bit of luck had kept her going. But she hadn’t encountered anyone and at this point she wasn’t sure she’d ever make it back.

Then she realized she’d hit level ground. There was a ledge beneath her feet. Should she be climbing in this state? Probably not. But that last bit… the turns were familiar. If there was a cave here then she knew where she was.

Fennec could have cried when the stone turned cooler beneath her feet, the familiar scent of vegetation meeting her nose. Instead she stumbled inside and collapsed just within the entrance, asleep almost before she’d even hit the stone.

She’d been too relieved, too tired, and too overwhelmed to notice any signs of occupation. If someone else was occupying the space then Fennec had no clue.

Their scents were here — Reverie and those she'd left with. But a fresh scent lingered, too; someone unfamiliar to Sunspot. His hackles lifted, shoulders already taut with tension, but his own entry into the cavern was slow and deliberate. Watchful.

He kept his head low, gilded eyes burning from the shadows as he scanned the cave's interior. It only took him a few seconds to spot her. The woman was in tatters, no one he knew, but the blonde of her fur drew him forward. You alright? He inquired, though he was sure the answer would be no.

She didn’t know how long she slept there. Even exhausted, however, instincts wouldn’t let her ignore someone approaching. When the stranger spoke she woke with a start, automatically tucking defensively as her ears flicked up to determine where he was.

Fine. She responded tersely, though her voice was hoarser than she wanted it to be. Fennec swallowed, biting back a defensive growl. He hadn’t started anything, maybe now wasn’t the time to get into anything she couldn’t finish.

This cave. It’s near the canyons, right? If it just happened to be similar… she didn’t honestly know what she’d do. Give up? Never. But she might just punt something off the mountain. Probably something smaller than this guy.

She couldn’t hide the hope in her voice. She was so tired of wandering in circles.

Not sure what canyons you're talkin' about, Sunspot answered, studying her carefully as he realized the fact of her blindness. But if it's nearby, I can find it. Could take you there, too.

My sister's scent is here, And this was the catch, the one they'd both known was coming. Reverie. You seen her recently? Heard anything about her? His tone was as careful as his inspection. Sunspot dared a step forward, slow and deliberate, and waited to see if she'd take offense.

She tried not to let the answer discourage her. She could find out soon enough if she was right, and if she was, then she knew where she needed to go next. If she wasn’t… well, then at least things hadn’t gotten worse. Lost was still lost.

Don’t see much of anything, actually. Fennec answered wryly, unable to resist despite her mood. But no. You’re the first wolf I’ve met in weeks. And of course the first one would be incapable of giving her directions. She should’ve guessed her luck wouldn’t turn.

Except that she at least hadn’t run foul of anyone guarding said cave. Apparently she’d just missed whoever he was looking for. Don’t worry about it. If it’s there then I’ll find it. And if it isn’t, I guess that direction is good as any, until I find a place I recognize.