Blacktail Deer Plateau Black Beatles

Elixir seeemed to be pulling away, disengaging quickly from wherever the conversation might have led. Rue had to wonder what it was that the wolfdog wasn't saying, and whether she wan't saying it precisely because of Rue's new position. 

"Okay, Elixir," Rue said simply, with a very sad-looking smile. She gave her friend one last nudge of farewell before stepping back to give her space to depart.