Hushed Willows If I ever get out of here, everything will be different.

The summer would be a hot one, and she was already feeling intensely lazy from it. Sleeping inside of the Crook was a boon when the pack was smaller, but now that they had almost doubled in size, the cavern was oddly warm, and the drone of constant activity (either from slumbering beasts or their wandering paws) had Tavi itching for an escape. Perhaps that was why she, with a sluggish gait and a sleepy look upon her face, slipped out from the Crook without any mention to anyone, and went for a wander.

Or a hunt. It was more like a hunt. Except her attention was not directed at the starlings which had begun to reappear among the tree branches, or the tiny signs of green that had begun to spread across the grotto; she sought a body, and that body came in to view within a few minutes of her randomly selected path. When Tavi caught the dark face of Stark within her eyes, she grinned to him, and her languid steps became more fervent. As she approached, she nudged his cheek with her nose.

Hey, she intoned sweetly, and then began to nibble at his jaw, only hesitating when she heard something behind her crack, as if someone might see her being awfully affectionate towards her friend. I was looking for you.