Stone Circle Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade

Selkie waited, and she watched as she always did, with a head held level with her narrow shoulders and leaf green eyes keen but not hardened, even by weeks of travel and fending for herself. Her ears twitched and swivelled to the sounds of Autumn, of unseen critters moving through the undergrowth at her back; of insects rubbing their legs together in glee, though the pollen they might have dined on was fading away now with the onset of the season.

She didn’t hear the child’s approach, but she scented her and saw the raised tip of a tail almost at the same time. Faintly surprised, the lone female blinked, her head cocking to one side. It had been some time since Selkie had spotted a pup, let alone been presented with the possibility of interacting with one. Most packs kept their young ones close and well within the borders, rightly so.

A soft smile bloomed on the tapered muzzle. Though she was hardened in some ways and often sharp in her speech, Selkie had always had a fondness for young ones. This young one paused within the borders and Selkie made no move to address her. She simply observed, and hoped that an adult would soon arrive to collect the child.

Soon enough, a dark shape appeared on the meadow and Selkie’s gaze, which had been roving around the general area of the pup – just enough to make sure she wasn’t in trouble – lifted to take in the figure. His stance hinted at his status within Easthollow, but Selkie was loathe to make assumptions based on a stance alone.

Her tail returned a slow wave, and her ears remained drawn back against her head. Her posture drooped enough to remain submissive as he spoke, but the Alpha’s waving tail had been encouraging; when Selkie spoke it was with her typical brightness.

“Name’s Selkie,” she began with a dip of her head, “B’lieve I met one o’ your pack a couple weeks back – Rickon? Nice fella. He said -” Her gaze flickered down to her paws. Now was the part where Selkie had to be vulnerable, something which had never come easily to her. “Said ya might have room for one more in your ranks.”