Herbalists' Cache every hour has its sound

Maybe. Rue gaze lifted to the man's visage when he murmured his reply, and she found a small smile playing across his features as well. She turned back forward to hide her expression as her demure smile threatened to morph into a full-on grin. 

Had Rue known of the silence that pained Soltero, she might have found herself a little jealous that her pack was not equally peaceful. Of course, a quiet territory suggested its own troubles-- those which Rue would never consciously wish upon the Plateau-- but... even so. She would have grown a little wistful... just a little. 

Soltero seemed to be animating more and more as they spoke, his formerly reserved demeanor brightening into chipper amiability. Perhaps he was just one of those slow-to-warm-up types. Rue could relate. 

Rue's eyes-- which often divulged more of her inner emotion than she knew-- lit up once again as Soltero confirmed his attendance at Yule. Her champagne tail fluttered in delight. "I wouldn't miss it," she answered, possibly with more feeling than she meant to reveal. 

Rue inhaled deeply and looked away, feeling a little sheepish that she had made her enthusiasm so obvious. Would Soltero think it childish that she was so excited over Yule? Rue cherished every moment of warmth, closeness, and celebration that the Yule season inspired, and she doubted she would ever grow out of her fondness for the holiday. 

Rue's brow furrowed. "Smell that?" she asked, nose quivering in the chilly air. The calming, ataractic aroma of lavender was a favorite of hers, and therefore more easily recognizable to Rue than any other herb. She scratched a paw over the snow a few times to see if the scent would grow stronger, suggesting a lavender plant buried beneath the wintery surface.