Kildeer Rest how chance the roses there fade so fast?

Out on the plains, the ebony-pelted girl stood out like a sore thumb, but she didn't mind--it felt like being back home on the prairie again. She stole out from the forest, a slender shadow, and trotted along without a care in the world, tongue hanging from her jaws. There was small game to be had out here, and she intended to fill the caches with as many dead creatures as she could catch.

She was more comfortable with rabbits, but the scent of rodents was most prevalent, and Lily wondered if she was nimble enough to catch the tiny creatures. Even if she was, what meal did a mouse make but a snack? She hoped Ali wouldn't be disappointed in her if she returned with one of them in tow--or even worse, empty-jawed.

Lily was exploring a hole in the ground that, by sight and smell, seemed highly promising when she spotted the girl, her blue-green eyes luminous in the dim light of a gray day. A coyote lingered nearby, and her ears pinned backwards, wondering if the creature was any sort of threat to the she-wolf. But no, she reasoned, they stood quite close; they must be acquainted somehow, though Lily knew not why. She herself detested coyotes; more often than not, they'd stolen food from her family, and their dispositions were both unpleasant and unscrupulous.

Still, a potential friend was a friend, and with a gentle chuff of greeting, Lily padded up to the pair, pumpkin eyes lit in curiosity. "Hallo, there," she said, her lips lifting in a gentle smile, then fell silent, leaving it to the woman and her. . .friend. . .to introduce themselves.