Swiftcurrent Creek sun heeds high

the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor as morwenna moved with quiet purpose. @Leonore’s scent lingered on the soft breeze, faint but clear enough to guide her through the familiar paths of swiftcurrent creek. the silver matriarch’s amber eyes swept the landscape, searching for the small, dark shape of the young one she sought.

she paused near a cluster of mossy stones, her ears swiveling to catch any sound of movement. the soft trickle of a nearby stream filled the air, but no telltale rustle of paws or faint laughter reached her. still, she was patient.

leonore, she called gently, her voice warm and inviting.

her tail swayed lightly, a gesture of reassurance, as she took a few steps closer to the stream. morwenna knew that sometimes it took time for the quiet ones to come forward, and she was prepared to wait as long as needed.

Leonore knew better than to wander far, and yet she found that her paws carried her away from the den of her mother. Her mind did not consider the worry her mother may feel, particularly after her brother had gone missing - at her age her mind was a one way road.

She knew to stay away from the creek with it's far too fast current, but a stream was surely alright. The past half hour or so had been spent splashing about, and now as a somewhat familiar voice hit her ears she was sat near the bank to rest.

Quick to bring herself to a stand, she trotted to where Morwenna called from. Her bottom half still damp, it was not hard to see what she had been up to.

morwenna's gaze swept over leonore as the girl emerged from the shadows, her lower half darkened and dripping from the stream's mischief. concern creased her brow, her tail rising slightly in alarm as she rushed to meet her.

what— the words tangled in her throat for a moment, her eyes darting from the damp fur to the little one's steady, unbothered expression. what were you thinking? her voice rose, a rare sharpness cutting through her usual calm tone.

the thought of the current, the cold, and the danger sent a shiver through her own limbs, and she stepped closer, nose brushing lightly against leonore's soaked flank as if to confirm she was truly unhurt. are you alright? softer now, her voice dipped, but the worry lingered in her eyes.

she pulled back, standing tall once more, trying to mask the mixture of relief and exasperation swirling in her chest. you know better than to go wandering off, especially near water. do you have any idea what could’ve happened?

Small citrine irises searched Morwenna as she voiced her concerns, attempting to scold a daughter who was not her own. Leonore could not understand. I wanted to play in the stream. It was a simple answer, she thought. What was the woman so worried about?

She felt alright - maybe colder than usual. She was beginning to gain weight, but not enough. Often she struggled to keep warm, though it did not bother her in the least. The approaching winter would likely change such things.

Is maman looking for me? To her, this was the important question. While she had no issue being snappy and rude, her mother was the one to melt such things away. Leonore loved her dearly, she would not keep her waiting if she could help it.

morwenna's sigh was a breath of relief tempered with frustration. she stepped closer to the girl, gently brushing her damp flank with her nose, ensuring she was unharmed. no, child, she murmured, her tone steady, though her eyes carried the weight of worry.

she shifted, sitting down beside leonore, blocking the faint breeze that might chill her further. your maman isn’t looking for you, but she’s trusting me to keep an eye on you and the others. her gaze softened as she spoke, though the gravity in her voice remained.

playing in the stream might seem harmless, but it isn’t always safe, she paused, searching leonore’s young face for understanding. you’re important to her, to all of us. you mustn’t take risks like this.

morwenna’s tail swept lightly across the ground, signaling both her reassurance and her lingering concern. now, do you want me to warm you up?

Her neutral expression grew into a frown. She had not thought of it that way, and she would not want to worry Suzu. Never.

After a moment, she nodded. It was difficult to turn Morwenna away in the face of such concern - and she was beginning to grow rather chilly after all. Alright.

For now she would listen, and she would behave. She could feel Morwenna's worry sinkng into her, and she did not wish to upset the well-intentioned woman further.

morwenna allowed a small, relieved smile to touch her lips as leonore agreed. she stood and guided the girl to a drier patch of ground, settling herself nearby. her eyes softened as they lingered on the young one, her thoughts heavy.

how have you been, leonore? she asked gently, though her voice carried a faint tremor of worry. the weight of her brother’s absence hung between them, unspoken but palpable. morwenna studied the girl’s face, searching for signs of the grief she might not fully understand—or even acknowledge.

things are changing. quickly.

Following after Morwenna, she settled down next to her with paws tucked under her body - not very well of course. By now she was growing lanky, paws while still small were far too big for the rest of her.

I'm okay. She responded. Maman is teaching us how to hunt.

As she spoke of the event, it suddenly clicked in her mind that Shark had not joined them. Where had he been? She did not recall seeing him at all as of late.

She was sure that it was nothing important. My brother hasn't been eating my meals, so that's good. Her tail thumped on the ground, pleased with the fact. Though of course, she did not understand the weight of such a statement.

morwenna's ears fell flat at leonore’s words, her chest tightening. the innocent delivery of such a heavy statement left her momentarily at a loss. she said nothing.

gently, she nudged leonore, her nose brushing against the pup’s damp fur. warmth radiated from her frame as she pressed herself nearer, offering what comfort she could. you can have as much food as you need, leonore, she said softly, her voice firm yet warm. i’ll speak to your maman. we’ll make sure of it.

her starlit gaze rested on the lanky child, observing the too-big paws and the hopeful tail thumps. her heart ached, but she let none of it show, choosing instead to tuck her concern away for later. for now, leonore needed her steady, not overwhelmed.

have you caught anything yet?