Firestone Hot Springs I need a lullaby, a kiss goodnight

@Mason nudging this since it's getting old c:

Met with fretful movements and a soft hum, she needn’t any other visual aids to piece his response together. There were times when thoughts became exaggerated and the truth distorted, permitting unnecessary anxieties to slip in between the cracks left behind. It led to the mind being giving ample fictions that were then able to provoke an overreacted riposte—which was what she believed must have happened. It was not because he was a child that she’d come to such a conclusion, but because he could not present a straightforward answer. His gaze was even smothered in confusion, thereby strengthening her hypothesis tenfold. Nevertheless, she did not verbally chastise him for thinking so little of his father’s feelings, or say anything at all for that matter. She responded with a small smile as a tranquil expression took over her features, almost as if to tacitly say ‘I understand’. That was then the end of the topic, for she did not continue to pursue it or hassle him with anymore interrogations.

Relief slowly trickled throughout her system as a smile appeared on the younger’s face. Though seemingly hesitant, she’d accept it with open arms, hoping that perhaps it meant his spirits were rising. Her head dipped and then rose again slowly as she nodded, agreeing with his statement right away. It was a wonder to have friends around, especially when it came to traveling. The farther one went from one, the less they’d see any familiar faces—unless, of course, they had a companion trekking along with them. Though Leo had not come from her homeland, she still recognized him as being a wolf of familiarity, and wouldn’t trade his presence for the world. She wondered then if, by chance, the hatchling before her now had someone like that within his home. A face that, no matter the circumstances, could brighten his mood and give him a reason to always return. The thought ran its course within her mind as her head turned, eyes gazing off in the direction that had been pointed out to her. She noticed right away that it was the same mountain that she was currently staying near to, but did not share such information with the pale boy. “It looks like a wonderful place to live,” she said instead, turning her gaze back to him. It was not a lie, she truly believed it looked beautiful, but it was not a place she could see herself at.

Asterr had not been expecting him to question her current way of living, but she could certainly understand why he might be curious. It was difficult for a pack wolf to catch a decent meal in the months of winter, and even more difficult for those alone or with only one other to assist. “At times, it is,” she admitted, not seeing any reason to sugarcoat the harsh reality that was life. “It can be difficult, especially when the cold starts to set in across the land. Time between meals increases and available shelters decrease greatly.” It was her first winter without her tribe, but from the tales she’d been told, she knew what to expect. “As of late, I have been alone in hunting, for my companion is injured. It is difficult and sometimes does not present enough of food, but that is the case even within a tribe.” There were failures in hunting as well as successes—it didn’t matter how many were there to assist, sometimes missing out on a meal was an inevitable event. “However, it is not all bad. To be on your own can give you a wonderful perspective on life itself, which can then be used to better yourself as an individual.”