Hoshor Plains Dixie Chicks

The loss of Sarah left her empty of feeling. She had cried a little at night when she thought the others were asleep, and in the morning forced her composure. Together the group left the range, seeking a route to the valley edge below, and through that ordeal Ibis was preternaturally quiet. A hollowing had overtaken her gaze. She moved in the middle of the caravan of wolves, but only offered thin smiles and a diminished sense of enthusiasm when spoken to.

At some point Reiko had sought out Ira. Ibis could have gone with her, but she chose not to. Instead she hung around with Kukulkan and helped him with Wren. Eventually though, she drew away from the group. She wanted to be alone. Her trail inevitably flowed to where Reiko waited, not knowing why she was drawn to her friends side; but when she caught up to her, she felt another thin smile crease her little face.

Reiko was drifting among them, much as Ibis had been. There was an odd look on her face which piqued the girl's interest - perhaps for being so similar to her own. As she drew close she murmured privately, Are you okay?