Firefly Ravine not your little girl anymore

As the days grew warmer Leonore found herself missing her maman, and uncle Eti too. The creek was so far, and the coast was not all she had hoped it to be.

Laid with the company of a ravine, the silver girl looked down at her reflection. She wondered if she looked like a woman yet, if her mother would think so. She wanted to be grown, but all the same she missed the comfort of the den, of maman Suzu's fur and her littermates curled around her.

Marina and her pups were her family now, maybe, she thought so at least. But it was not the same. Marina was sombre, the puppies were growing quickly with rumbling bellies, and it seemed that the four were more trouble than Leonore ever could have thought. She liked caring for them, it made her feel grown up, but it was all so overwhelming. She was no hunter, not a fighter, and meeting her aunt she had proven that she was no negotiator.

With a hefty sigh, she rested her nose between her paws. She would not cry, she was too old for that, but Barracuda felt the sting all the same.

Much as she hated to leave her youngest children, Marina followed Leonore from the Sound, leaving them tucked safely away in the den. Something was troubling the girl, she thought, and it was a mother's role to find out what it was. Perhaps she wasn't Leonore's mother — but she was as close as the girl had, though the Sapphique woman had thought to claim her.

When she found the girl, Marina approached in silence. She sat beside her, glancing only once at Leonore and the desolate expression she wore. Then she turned her gaze out to the wilds beyond. Do you want to talk about it? She asked softly.

She did not look at Marina as she approached. She knew that hot tears would stream down her face if she did. ..I miss my maman. The confession came out easy, the girl biting back a sob after a moment.

The last thing Leonore wanted was for Marina to believe that she was not enough. The woman had been good to her, but there was always going to be a special place in her heart that held the family she had been born to. Nothing would be able to push them from her mind completely, not ever.

I'm sorry.. She whispered the words after a held silence. Marina was good too, she was great, Leonore loved her, but she missed the creek sometimes. It had been worse since meeting her auntie. More often.

Ah. Marina only nodded for a moment as Leonore spoke, letting a brief silence fall between them.

It's only natural to miss those we love, she murmured, touching the girl's shoulder lightly with her nose. I'd be more concerned if you didn't miss her at all. Have you thought of going to see her? Marina couldn't claim to know all of the circumstances which had brought Leonore to her. Whether the girl had been abandoned or had left by her own choice, she didn't know. But if what she wanted was to see her mother, Marina would try to make it happen.

She leaned into the touch of her makeshift mother as it came, sniffing back her feelings for the moment. No. She's too far now, I want to stay with you and help. Your babies are hungry. Even though she rarely brought home more than a rodent or a piece of a scavenged carcass.

What if we go to Sapphique? She asked, coy eyes finally looking to Marina. I know my auntie is harsh but.. Sapphique could help feed them, give the puppies security and community.

She knew it was silly to stay. It was Marina's choice to make, not for Leonore to put in her mind. Her thoughts of family were making her sentimental.

Marina allowed a soft laugh when Leonore mentioned the children and their appetite. Always hungry, she agreed quietly. Before she could interject with more reassurances, the girl spoke again. But it was not Sobeille's harsh nature which made her hesitate. A thoughtful frown stole across Marina's features.

The children are still too young to be moved so far, Marina was aware that it was not quite the truth: if she had the support of a pack or even a mate in the process, it might have been possible. Difficult, but not unthinkable. Without that, she wouldn't consider taking the risk. Four puppies was far too many to manage on a journey by herself, even with Leonore's help. And I don't know what Sapphique might ask of us.

I'm not saying no, she added. I'll think about it.

It was smart of Marina to be cautious. She would never be upset with her for that. As long as you'll think about it. She responded after a moment. I won't leave you behind, I go where you go. She had left those she cared about behind once, and now she refused to repeat her actions. She had been stupid.

We should probably head back.. right? The puppies had to be missing them, after all. Leonore felt worried by the idea of leaving them on their own for too long.