Bearclaw Valley i drove to the mountain and a hole in the ground

forgiveness. it is in her mother's smile, in the nod and movement of tail. Avicus releases a breath she wasn't aware of holding, shuffling her paws upon the snow. she, too, flashes a smile before it is gone, replaced with the nearly-dour stoicism of her usual mien.

but make no mistake. . .she is happy. overjoyed, really. Astara has returned, and Avicus can stop blaming herself for at least one thing.

she smacks her forepaws against the snow in a brief leap, dips into a play bow, and then presses up against her mother's shoulder before taking off into the territory at a slow gallop. she throws her head back, staring at Astara.

come and catch me!

the further she can draw Astara into Bearclaw Valley, the better. perhaps, then, neither of them would ever leave again.