Wapun Meadow don't be afraid of what you find

indra recoiled immediately, stung by the hysteria in her sister's snarling voice. it made sense -- but indra was no more rational in this moment than she was normally; she felt clouded by fear, panic, anger, anguish.

she got the message and settled several yards away, her eyes peeled and posture rent with tension. she kept peering into the tree-line, her ears upright and strained, as if laurel's attacker would erupt from the timber.

indra wanted to press for more information, but her sister seemed so fragile -- she worried a single question would unhinge her, and who could blame her? for a while she remained silent, her expression furious. it was hard for her to be the strong one; laurel had always been the leader -- but now she needed indra to be strong, too. as much as indra could tell laurel wanted to be alone, indra would not leave her -- she was at risk here in the copse, and indra was furious at herself for not being there when laurel had needed her the most.

after several minutes of silence indra rose and scented around laurel carefully, taking care not to touch her sister. his scent was still cloaked around her sister and indra swore she would never forget his mark -- if she ever saw him, she would make sure his suffering far outmatched laurel's.