Heron Lake Plateau your shadow weighs a ton

After another unsuccessful hunt, Niamh wlked slowly back toward her den, hoping that a brief rest might do her a bit of good, and give her the energy she needed to go for another hunt. The heat in the late spring was promising to lead to a hot and dry summer, and she wasn't exactly looking forward to it- as much as she hated the cold and snow of winter. Exhausted racked her frame, and her spine sagged slightly as she meandered along the creekside toward her den, and had to do a double take when she saw a grey figure lying outside. 

She hadn't noticed him at first- so tired she was, and had stuck her head inside the den before it registered that that was Screech laying outside in the shade. "What!" She exclaimed, whipping around so fast she almost lost her footing. She trotted over to him, not sure whether to be happy he'd made it out of the den, or stressed, because it probably tired him out to do so. He still had that vague, slightly vacant look on his features. "What're you doing out here, dude?" She asked softly, sitting down beside him. She glanced up at the tree branches above, then back down to where he lay in the shade. "Wanted some fresh air, or?" She asked. Still- though he hadn't spoken yet, she hoped for an answer one of these days.