Duskfire Glacier Tungortok

Her heart fluttered and her next breath shook from her mouth. Meerkat drew in another, steadying herself and her silly reactions, though she couldn't help but return his easy smile. She also couldn't quite silence the bubble of hope and wonder that swelled in her chest. She couldn't deny she was developing some feelings for Issorartuyok, though she wouldn't act on them unless she knew they were mutual. Was there any possibility he might feel the same way toward her?

Meerkat couldn't tell, so she let it rest. She nodded when he brought up the visit to the caldera, going still when he mentioned dropping by Moonglow at the same time. She drew up the rough map in her mind, eyes closing momentarily as she focused. Her lips pursed and she hummed a moment before her eyes popped open again.

"It might actually make more sense to drop by Moonglow on the way there, since it's north of the caldera," the yearling suggested. She was eager to see her family but there was part of her that still dreaded it too, so she said, "Either way, I wouldn't mind." It would be good to see Kukutux and Sialuk, see how they were faring these days. And it would mean even more time spent in Issorartuyok's company.

"I was thinking of leaving in about a week. Would that work for you?" she wondered, tail swaying.