Northstar Vale If the world was ending.

With all the knowledge passed to her from Reiko, Ibis needed time to process. She needed to compose herself; knowing that she would lose her cool if the so-called husband of her best friend were to come across her in the next few days. Ibis couldn't keep secrets very well as a child but she had since matured, and she understood the severity of the secret she now carried with her - as well as the power of her own, albeit unconfirmed. What she needed most right now was someone to tell her the truth: was she pregnant, was she going to be a mother?

As much fun as it had been to hang out with @Akavir these past few days, the conversation with Reiko had spoiled some of that for her. Now she looked at the cute boy with apprehension, withholding the details of her previous travel would no doubt come back to bite her in the end. Would he leave her if he knew? So she kept to herself, avoiding his scent when she came across it - although he was probably hunting for her too, which made things tricky.

Lucky for her the vale was massive. She picked her way through the northern corridor of the range, an area she hadn't visited yet. Much of the vale was unexplored judging by the lack of wolf-scent everywhere. Ibis knew how to conserve her energy as she traveled due to her experience as a scout and, later, ambassador - but she found herself easily winded as she climbed high among the hills, and it surprised her that she couldn't accomplish a simple task like a light hike without strain. She was huffing and puffing as she crested a narrow heathered hill, pausing to catch her breath as much as inspect the weedy plants growing there. Many were sunbaked and drying despite summer being a few weeks away. Aside from some patches of bramble and a scattering of young trees, she was alone.

And here, she felt she could finally breathe freely.

Tag for reference - maybe @Atwood? Anyone welcome.