Phoenix Maplewood Noahtakmiut

When he asked if she might be able to come along this time, Meerkat bit her lip and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'm actually watching my pack mate's pups while she's away on her own scouting trip." Not only that, but she was really finding her footing with all six youngsters in the pack and the yearling didn't want to do anything to jeopardize her pack mates' trust in her. She was also getting quite attached to the puppies, a fact which she didn't even realize consciously until just now, her lips twitching into a smile as she realized she'd really begun rooting herself in Duskfire.

"Can I ask you something, Issorartuyok?" Meerkat questioned, not waiting for an answer before adding, "If you're from the north and clearly most at home there, what brought you down here? I know you said you came here to lead, but why couldn't you lead somewhere in the north?" Her head tilted, her brown gaze hovering thoughtfully on his face.