i smell gas

Morran had gone south. Granted, Bazi had not been completely 'with it' at the time of her rescue, but she was absolutely certain that the grotesque grizzly had not followed them back. Wide-spread and rigorous patrolling of the pack's claim by all of its members had unearthed exactly zero trails - not even a hint.

Why, then, could she smell it here?

Phoenix Maplewood had offered the family sanctuary even though they had suffered their own losses during the twister, and it was with genuine concern that Bazi ventured north, crossing the marsh and fields that separated Jade Fern Grove from its neighbouring forest. Autumn had dyed the world, and no part of it was as bright as the Maplewood. Bazi paused at the very edge of the pack's southern claim, admiring the beauty of the woods' farewell to the year - soon, cold would strip the branches and the world would succumb to winter.

Rather than alarming the pack with a call, Bazi waited. She was easy to spot against the dull grey-brown of the wilting plains.

She was out for patrol. The bear made her realize she was spending a bit too much time with her garden. Then again, the bear had also ruined it, which left her spending more time thinking about her garden than actually tending it. She'd fixed what she could and added a few more herbs here and there, but truthfully she was not optimistic her stores would be where she wanted them to be when the first snow hit. She was already too late into the game of this season. There was a part of her that wondered if there might be something to be said for giving up this year and trying again the next.

Alas, her thoughts wandered as she traced the circular path that was their section of their forest home. Just their section. Oh dear. Perhaps this pack didn't truly have the strength to hold the whole wood. Reek thought he could raise coyotes. Saena kept proving she was youthful and impulsive in her decisions as her lack of caution had left her with the complete loss of a tail. Aside from her sister, the rest of their number were composed of coyotes and wolves she'd rarely seen... Her optimism was lacking. Her faith diminishing.

When she spied another wolf upon the borders, she did not have the heart to posture nor defend that which was called her home. Still, another wolf was perhaps an opportunity for conversation and she had more thoughts upon her mind that were near to boiling over. Her pace was somewhat casual as she approached the white female. "Good day," she started. "Leaf peeping?"

The bear's presence, though gone now, still bothered the girl. She wound the oddly circular path of their home time and time again, watching for the bear, and even watching for just signs of the creature. Of course, she found none, but continued her circles just to make sure. What she did find, eventually, was Cita's scent. She smiled, thinking of her sister as she adjusted her path away from the path she was on to go follow the Medic's scent.

When she came upon her, she found that Citali was not alone. Even more reason to close the distance and nudge her side, her one and a half ears (she never thought she'd miss the top half of her ear like she did nowadays) swiveling to pay attention to the other female. "Hello," She offered to the both of them, an amicable tone to her voice. She wasn't trespassing after all, even if she was close to the borders.