Wheeling Gull Isle tiritchik ⌮

Oblivious to how her platitude—not to mention everything before it—affected Aiolos, Meerkat had eyes only for Kukutux for the moment. She didn't really doubt that she would be fine on her own. Mostly, she wondered if she would be able to find her way home alone, though Kukutux's reply assuaged any concerns.

"Okay. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon," she said quietly, nudging the pale she-wolf before turning toward the two men. "Thank you again." Meerkat very nearly begged them once more to send any news to the caldera, just as a reminder, but they'd already said they would, twice.

Dipping her head to all three, she retreated to begin her trip further along the coastline. Her mind reeled with every step (which would prove to be her downfall when she missed one). Why had Niamh really left the caldera? Why had she stopped at Yuèlóng, only to leave again? How was she? How were the pups? Would she and Phox ever catch up to them or was their family broken beyond all repair?