The Heartwood when I saw you first

Moonglow was the only thing on her mind.

She needed to make it back, to see Nasamiituuq and tell her she was safe, to tell her what had happened, to tell her that she had been right.

There was nothing more that she wanted now than to run far, far away with her dear, to settle down somewhere they would both be safe and take a break from exploring - at least for a while. She had learned her lesson, and it was one she did not wish for anyone else to have to learn in such a vile way.

Her mind drifted back to her home, of the cold seasons camps and the summers search for a new home. She longed to have such a life again, and maybe she could, just not yet.

Clearing her mind, the gilded woman bounded westward.

what qiao first mistook for a fawn was a woman moving between tall spears of birch.

if this one had any denomination, qiao could not scent it.

falling in step shortly behind her, qiao followed her westward trajectory with one clipped ear turned forward.

The feeling of eyes on her causes Waawaashkeshi's head to promptly whip back. She fears that it is one of the men following her, but instead it is only a coyote. She relaxes at the sight of it, but she is confused as to why it follows so closely.

Part of her is eager to talk, it is hard not to be when your voice has been silenced for so long. Friend, where have you come from? A chance to start conversation, but a genuine query as well. She had not noticed them when she ran by at all.

friend? qiao’s gaze flitted from woman of sandstone and ivory to the woods encircling them.

friend would be putting it generously; qiao’s last friend hung around her neck. humored by this, qiao kept her distance as she spoke.

from the lowlands. she supposed that was partially the truth - many miles now between where qiao was from and where she stood now. you claim this place?

No. The answer was spoken promptly for it was the truth. I am only passing through. I will stop to speak to a friend in a neighbouring pack, but my goal in the Hinterlands. I will claim a territory there. A territory of her own, one in which she would no longer have to worry.

She hoped that Nasamiituuq would join her, but Waawaashkeshi knew that it was a selfish ask. Nonetheless she knew that even if other's were to join her, she would be left feeling alone without her friend. While she may not be a Summerwalker, she felt like family to the sunflower girl all the same.

As strange as the situation seemed to her, it was a pleasant change to converse with a woman once more.

fluid strides carried her to fall in step alongside waawaashkeshi, olive gaze tracing the framework of her body.

who is your friend? qiao ventured, hoping to learn from this woman the goings-on of the wilds. lately, the overworld had been vague in direction, and ever since her haka spell cast on the two-tailed boy’s behest, qiao sensed her strength waning.

Nasamiituuq. I was held in the Taiga for some time, so we have missed each other. Or at least, she missed her. Keshi could only hope that the feeling had been mutual. I hope she will come with me, to the Hinterlands. I'd like to continue my old pack traditions with her. After all, Nasamiituuq had met her during her last year of of summerwalking. She had to assume that the other enjoyed it at least a bit.

She turned her head to look at the coyote, growing further curious. Not everyone was so willing to converse. Have you ever been a wanderer, friend? She asked. Is that what you are doing now?

silent while the stranger willingly spilled the entire contents of her life, qiao’s gaze lifted as a question lingered in the air between them. a half-smile eclipsed the tiredness of her expression, fading immediately and dying well before it ever reached the ardence of her olive eyes.

my whole life. and she would say nothing more on the matter. what traditions are these you wish to preserve?

Summerwalkers travel in the warm months to trade goods and stories. She spoke, staring forwards. The wolves here lack respect for the land. The stories of my people will show them a better life. She frowned for a moment after saying this, wondering if she sounded too high and mighty. Waawaashkeshi did not think herself better than others.

She wished to find a suitable home with haste. The spring months always moved more quickly than one would think. What's your name? Mine is Waawaashkeshi.

trade and stories. in qiao burned a distant nostalgia for a segment of her earlier life. another time.

and the world marched ruthlessly on. observant as she was, she didn't bother commenting on the frown dance across the sun-gilded woman's face. qiao was not an empath; the troubles of others were not her own.

qiao. she paused as they stepped over a nascent patch of wild scallions. she snipped at their plumules and put them in the greenbriar pouch. each freshly cleaved head was covered by a mulching of dry grass.

and then, rising as if there had not been a lull in the conversation, qiao sought waawaashkeshi's gaze.

there were not many wolves like her. kind wolves. the wolves here lack more than respect. qiao cautioned, brushing dirt from her cinnamon pelt. they lack an understanding that the world they live in is not their own. tell me a story, waawaashkeshi. tell me a story that will move me to respect the earth.

A story. She smiled at the ask.

Alright. If you want a story, then a story you will recieve. She decided with a firm nod, slowing to a stop. But in return I ask that you consider joining me in the hinterlands when your business elsewhere is done.

They had found a common ground, a rare occurence for Waawaashkeshi. Sitting upon the ground she searched her mind for one of the many stories her mother has passed down to her. She settled on one quickly; topical, dangerous, and to the point.