Ouroboros Spine I'll bring you flowers

Easy is shipping out! Anyone who wants to say goodbye is welcome. All tags are for reference.

After the wedding, Easy took one more night of rest before gathering her strength. Though her large frame meant that the added weight of pregnancy was still quite manageable, she knew she needed to head home soon and prepare.

So she sought out Valiant and held him and then @Raindrop in her arms. @Ponderosa and @Ludovic were given fond farewells, and pleas to come and visit their extended family at Round Valley if they ever travelled in that direction. She went out and she thanked @Arrluk and @Ajei for their hospitality, and said spoke kind words to Chinook in particular, for she would remember the girl quite fondly.

But then it was time to go. Easy departed with no more fanfare, and waited until she was well out of the territory before howling for her son and grandson.

Chinook would be dancing at the side of her father with happy steps at the sight of Easy. It would be sad to see her go, yet Chinook felt it wasn't farewell. Not forever. And maybe next time when she saw the woman, Chinook would have new little friends to meet that came along with Easy. 

Be safe in your travels. The Moon guides you. Arrluk would not allow her to travel without snacks, for both herself and her unborn pups, of course. In an old doe skin with dried meat of rabbit and fish. And, if allowed, he would guide her to the borders before parting ways.

Ajei packed what she could for the wolf to carry. There was a happy bittersweet feeling as she watched her go. It was nice to have new faces, new visitors. It was not the same, but they were getting there slowly. She watched until the woman was out of her sights. 

Then with a small sigh. She began to attend to her daily things. New beddings. New furs. Busy paws were happy paws in her opinion at least.

Raindrop had already grown fond of Easy's presence, even though it wasn't meant to last. She fussed over her, making sure she had everything she needed before heading out into the wilds. And when it came time for her to leave, she tightly embraced Easy. "We're going to miss you, Easy." She said as she pulled away, "It's been so wonderful having you here with us. You and your family are always welcome." Her smile was warm, and her words sincere. "Take care."

As she watched Easy disappear over the horizon, there was an ache in her heart. She hoped the trip would be smooth and that Easy and her pups would make it home safely.

And when Easy could not be seen anymore, Raindrop turned to return to the den. Her time was nearing, and she had to prepare.

Ponderosa made sure to give Easy a warm hug and farewell. "Goodbye, Easy." She said softly. The presence of a grandmother figure was something that Rosa and her siblings hadn't had. She was a little sad to see the woman go, but she waited beside her mother until it was time to resume the day.

Valiant gave his aunt a fond embrace, his heart clenching in uneasiness as he watched her say the rest of her goodbyes. There were traditional words to be said here: Be strong and vigilant. Protect one another. I'll see you on the other side. But they were sending her off alone — mostly alone — and the blessing, he knew, would not take for a single traveler.

He only said, "Be well, black bear," swallowing down on a particular thickness in his throat.

He worried that he would not see her again.