The Heartwood from which of this oak

For Teklar. ♥
Early afternoon, sunny weather.

A leaf drifted down in front of her, tickling her as it lightly danced over the end of her nose. She snorted, looking upward in annoyance at the squirrels that fussed and scurried about in the leafy branches overhead, wishing very much that she were a bobcat in that moment, so she could bound up that tree and catch the pesky, chattering morsels between her teeth. Hunger gnawed at her belly, but she had not seen much in the way of prey since she had parted ways with her brother a few hours prior. After having agreed on a meeting place, they had taken separate paths in the search for food. She hoped Antares was having better luck on his end than she was on hers. At the rate she was going, the only way she was going to find a meal today was if she learned how to climb a tree or if she sprouted wings.

Wrinkling her nose sourly at the squirrels above, she continued moving along the leaf-strewn trail through the delightfully airy forest. A soft green radiance suffused the air around her as sunlight filtered down through the lush, verdant canopy above. Broken shards of golden light mottled the soft, earthy forest floor and rippled warmly across her back as she walked. The rich, punky smell of wood and warm earth surrounded her, while unseen songbirds spun their bright, tinkling melodies into the breeze. This place was beautiful. Much more picturesque and peaceful, even, than the forest in which they had been staying since their arrival in the lands. She thought Antares would enjoy it, and made a mental note to bring him here soon.

The smell of game occasionally teased her nose as she continued on her silent way through the trees, but it was always an old trail or a rain-washed scent mark. Hunting here was so different from hunting back home on the tundra. It was just one of many things she would have to get used to.