Redsand Canyon cactus fruit

Ruenna was surprised to hear of Tamar's interest in chronicling; it was not often that a wolf so young as her had the patience for such an undertaking. Wolves of Tamar's age so often lived entirely in the present moment, with little attention paid to the future and even less to the past. 

Ruenna wondered if Tamar's reflective nature was what had drawn Arsenio to her. She expected it was a quality that stood out in Akashingo. 

"I think we would all be better for it, if we paid a little more attention to the lessons taught to us by our own pasts. I would be grateful if you kept Mereo's records." Tamar was in a great position to do so, as a former member of Akashingo and founding member of Mereo. She was already in possession of much more knowledge and understanding than Ruenna herself, and it weighed heavy upon her-- Ruenna could tell that much. There was something that burdened the hearts of all of three of the former Akashingo wolves. Ruenna had not yet asked Germanicus for the details of the events surrounding their departure, afraid of reopening such a wound when their marriage was so new. 

There was another role that had so far gone unmentioned: the materfamilias. "Caregiving is also noble pursuit, if you think you might be inclined toward motherhood," Ruenna suggested, tilting her head. They were not yet familiar enough for Ruenna to directly inquire into her and Arsenio's plans, but she mentioned it in case Tamar felt the desire to share on her own. 

"Just make sure you stay busy, whatever you decide.." This was not a crack of the whip, so much as it was survival advice. The presence of citizens in Mereo was not yet accepted by the auxilia; Ruenna had interpreted as much from the soldiers' stony silence and avoidant behavior. Ruenna and Tamar would have to work hard-- just as hard as the soldiers, if not harder-- to prove they deserved their place here within the canyon, including the protection and sustenance that the auxilia provided.