Wapun Meadow through it all

tagging @Valette @Piper and @Marten for visibility :) I think Laurel will take the body to EH after this, but I'll tag you guys in a thread if she does <3

private for @Xan please!

It was going to be a tough winter. Laurel had searched but the prey was not abundant. She found herself wishing that she had learned more practical skill, but it was not to be. She found herself wishing many a thing throughout her life, but it seemed that she never really got any of those things; any of what she wanted. Any of what she needed. Only more strife and emptiness, until she could not take any more; and then, some more.

A shaky breath drew into the crisp morning air as she made her way into the field. @Indra had not returned the day before. Their relations had been rocky ever since the latest litter. Laurel liked to think that Indra cared, but at times she just thought that her sister was jealous that she got to rear another litter. They may not be.. perfect.. but they were hers, and Laurel so desperately wanted to believe they could be something good. They could be. They had to be.

Yet through all of their disagreements over Louie, Riley and Charles there was still the bond that pulled them through; the one that had been forged from when they'd been abducted by Reek at a young age, from when they were ditched for a new set of children... Through all of it, they had been together, always, and that's how it would be. When they were old, they would sit and reminisce the days and be grateful that they had each other. Laurel did not know how long it would be 'til her children would abandon her, but that day would surely come, and then, she would still have Indra through it all.

Everybody left, but not Indra.

Never Indra.

The earth was cold beneath her toes as she tread forward, sniffing the crisp air to try and find any sign of her sister. She found none, though she found the scent trail of a doe. Laurel followed it, figuring that she might be able to bring some meat home; but at some point the trail became vague until she saw a ruddy patch among the meadow's lands. Ears perked forward curiously and she could not help but think of Indra immediately. Was her sister out hunting this doe and had she taken a break..? She frowned with worry, but pushed it away as she neared. Maybe it was something else.

Indra..? she asked carefully, her words gentle but trembling with fear, as she approached the ruddy shape, closer and closer, her heart beating faster and faster.