King Elk Forest around my wandering feet

so focused she was on not sobbing aloud that mona did not at first hear her packmate. and then the settling fragrance of rainwashed air surrounded her, and the soft voice of gracious murmured nearby, curled with gentle concern. the girl halted and drew in a breath before turning her tearstained muzzle to the gunmetal-toned woman with a wan smile.
"oh, you know, just like .... missing my mom, haha," mona muttered, sniffling and grinning and not quite accomplishing her goal of nonchalance, hard to do when you're wet with saltwater and clearly less than all right.
"god, just ... when does life slow down?" mona growled sharply, directing the tone away from gracious and up at the unappealing but innocent skies.