Heron Lake Plateau Lots of booze, and lots of ramblin'

It was a little liberating slipping off from the den; Raleska hadn't counted all her eggs before they hatched though, and did not think she was truly free until the den was well out of sight and no angry harpy burst forth, furious at her daughter's after-hour jaunts. Looking back, Raleska watched as the den slowly faded into obscured trees and stones, and then breathed a sigh of relief. She was unaware she had been holding her breath close up until that point, and felt a wince in her little ribs as she exhaled.

Trotting obediently after Niamh, Raleska struggled to appear attentive but not too interested in whatever Niamh was doing. She never really knew what to make of adults, but assumed all hated fun to some order or another. Maybe this adult was different - she did look a lot younger than the other adults in Raleska's life. Bitterly, Raleska wondered if that was why she was still around.

Either way the girl begrudgingly welcomed the company - and the opportunity to keep herself busy. Her ears shot up as Niamh spoke, catching drift of the hidden peril in her words. Looking furtively around them, Raleska readjusted her expression to what she imagined was grim and very daunting. She would take this job seriously, and set her chin stubbornly out as she nodded mutely, disguising the quickening anticipation that fluttered in her heart.