Lost Creek Hollow the ground remembers

oh, she thought, and remembered vividly Khoe hurling her guts out. it was the season, she supposed, though the thought filled her with a kind of hollowness. she supposed this was when congratulations were given, though a part of her wilted at the thought, and so she merely said aloud, "oh." the woman appeared to steady herself, and then uttered more apologies. she merely nodded, accepting the words silently.

"I should go, I think-" she offered, struggling a moment to find the right words. "I wouldn't want whatever's on the end of this trail to vanish before I get to it." she motioned to something unseen on the forst floor with a small curve of her muzzle. the marmot's trail wasn't especially fresh, and this early in the season she'd expect it to be back in its den shortly, but she didn't mention this. "it was good meeting you, Liffey." with that, and a dip of her head, Dawn moved off the follow the trail a good distance before she'd continue her search.