Phoenix Maplewood small talk is very small indeed

So close! Saena was almost at the very top of a slanted, half-rotted log in the forest's western quadrant when Citali rose her voice in summons. Her ruddy ears pinned back and she reached a paw forward, half-tempted to ignore the Gamma until she made it to the very top... but that wasn't good behaviour for an alpha. Certainly not one who had need of mature adult wolves in the ranks to make up for her husband's stupid pets and Scarlett's cubs. So she shot a last lingering glance at the tip of the log, where a bright little mushroom sat bobbing in the wind, before she turned and clumsily descended to the forest floor.

She was pleased to note as she trotted that she was finally feeling a bit spry again. Her leg was still stiff and sore if she was still for too long. Her severed tail still hurt like a bitch to sit on. But she was almost able to run again and that was something. She made it to the borders faster than she had in over half a month, though as she drew close, signs and smells of destruction became evident. The shrubs were shredded, the earth was uplifted, and suddenly Citali's howl didn't seem like a promising one.

The alpha female burst out of a thick patch of undergrowth and whipped her head around, half-expecting to see the bloody bear from late September back again. Her heart hammered even when she realized there was no bear. She looked questioningly to the healer, and only then did she spot the greyscale figure of Jax. "Hullo," she said slowly, doing her best to mask the concern and worry that threatened to creep into her voice and that remained still writ on her knitted brows.