Bearclaw Valley Borderlands

the small group nunataq had found seemed welcoming enough; after a while, indra discovered herself lost in their unquestioning company, at ease among them in a way she was not at ease within easthollow. she had not spoken a word since she had come here, but she found she did not need to -- all that needed to be said hung in the hazy gentleness of the summer afternoon.

when it came time to go indra's expression clouded, for she was not quite ready to go back to reality yet. she looked after the group as they left, and then to nunataq -- and in that moment, caught the questioning glance in nunataq's deep gaze. indra supposed when the time came for those who lived to move on, none of them were ready; with a reluctant sigh she dipped her head in silent acceptance and pressed briefly to her adoptive daughter (if she would allow). the nudge, encouraging and full of fondness, was not without a lingering sadness -- but indra understood more than anything that her daughter was not hers to command, and had her own life and wants and needs to live, if she was to be truly happy.