Dawnlark Plains the wind when it's howling

She'd spoken to @Grayday that morning, confiding in her father her desire to fulfill the restless stir that itched in her paws, the lingering question and wonder that hung somewhere near the edge of the horizon. She could no longer find it in herself to continue on as she had, not when the pack began a prosperous new season and their ranks remained stable, not when an opportunity like this one presented itself. 

She walked the borders now, adding her marks for the last time in what might be a while yet. She'd have to find @Aditya, say her goodbyes to the new pups and to Sunny, who'd grown well into the role that was now his. She paused once, staring out to the north-west, before resuming her meandering pace.

morningside was doing well. catori had delivered three healthy puppies, the members both new and old were settling into their roles on the plains, and grayday seemed to be in as good of health as ever. the maplewood was quiet.

still, aditya couldn't help but feel that there was still some distance between him and his young mate. what caused it, he didn't know, but he felt an immense relief as he spotted her coming, trotting down a slope to meet her halfway. tail wagging, he gave her a gentle peck of his muzzle to her cheek and withdrew, beaming at her.

"hey, you," adi said casually, grinning. "long time no see." it had only really been a few days, but every day without his lover, his partner in crime, felt like an eternity, really.

she paused in her trail, one sterling paw hovering just above the ground as she peered over her shoulder. smile came easily as she pivoted and moved to meet him, the affectionate gestures that had become so familiar marking their meeting. there was a simple ease to their actions, for they, much like the rest of the pack, had settled. 

things were not perfect. there existed space between them, their claim on the maplewood was loose, and she had yet to come to favor the plains. and yet things were good, and it was this that reassured her that it would be alright. 

"hey," she echoed, moving the brush alongside him. for a moment, grin fluttered at her muzzle as she sought a similarly easy response, and yet she faltered. "you know how we used to talk, about exploring come spring?" it had been a few sparse conversations here and there, and the coast had been the focus of the discussions, and yet it seemed the simplest way to introduce her desire.

there was some hesitation in her voice, but she came right out with it, to his satisfaction. he nodded, tilting his head at her in curiosity. "yes, i do," he responded. "think it's time to go?"

the prospect filled him with excitement. he'd been making small trips outside the territory, but nowhere too far away, in case he was needed back home. they'd have to let grayday know, of course, and make sure that everything was taken care of in their absence. . .but then they could be free. at least for a moon or so.

they needed this--dawn and aditya. they needed to grow close once more, and a journey like this would do the trick. nothing brought wolves together quite like travelling, and if any two wolves were meant for that life, it was them.

she ducked her head in a tight, excited weave, something that barely passed as a nod. "I've spoken to Da - the pack is sound enough to leave it for a time." with her mate's agreement, she allowed finally the excitement to spill from where she'd kept it tightly contained, as a precaution had things not worked out. "we could head north - scout out the territories around us. or perhaps the coast -" she paused, gaze coming back to rest on his, containing a glint at long last returned to them.

the coast! his heart soared at the prospect, and to this he nodded enthusiastically. "yes. i would love that. but--" adi broke off, looking almost sheepish as he regarded her curiously. it wouldn't do to have his own feelings dominate the conversation and its resulting expedition. "where do you want to go, dawn?"

though he silently lobbied for the coast, he grudgingly admitted to himself that the north wouldn't be too bad, either. he hadn't been much farther than here, and though it would be a bit colder, the weather was warming day by day as the wilds careened into summer. really, anywhere would be fine--as long as he had her by his side.

and hell, if she'd taken care of the preliminaries already, why not go right now?