Porcupine Ridge but i am drifting

marten spared indra no time, diving straight to the root of what was eating him. her ears cupped forward in silent surprise to hear so blunt a directive, but she did not question marten's opinion until he had finished. she had noticed the rift growing between laurel and marten - in that fretful way one might notice the change of seasons from summer to fall, and know in their heart the dark omen of winter was growing ever more present.

she unfurled a weighted sigh, her gaze filled with guilt. perhaps it was a flaw of hers to be so forthright (and perhaps, that was where marten had learned to be similarly straightforward), but indra did not mince the truth to spare her son his feelings.

"laurel does not like anyone, save me. and perhaps.. perhaps lucas." her brow knitted, for she felt sick to speak ill of her sister. "it has nothing to do with your father - or even, your old mother." she bent down and gave marten a soft kiss on his forehead, stepping back with a gaze full of only fondness. "being honest is always good. even if it spares you no friends in the end. what did you two talk of?"