Phoenix Maplewood stoned at the nail salon

He mentioned a pack to the south and her brown eyes drifted to where he pointed with his snout. He didn't mention a name, though he admitted he didn't know a whole lot about them. Meerkat decided she would head there next, as it sounded pretty promising. There was part of her that was already attached to the glacier. At first, she had wanted to fly under the radar, though she actually found comfort in Rye's ties to her mother. And though it shouldn't matter, the yearling knew it would likely please Towhee to hear she'd joined up with an old friend of hers.

Her expression froze when Rye began questioning her motives. She quickly relaxed again. They were fair questions and she didn't mind them. Actually, Meerkat kind of relished the chance to explain herself to someone other than herself or her mom. She wondered if her rationale would make any sense to a stranger. There was a better chance of it, considering Rye's familiarity.

"It's been a pretty rough year. And the past couple months, I ran myself ragged trying to help my family. I don't regret it. And I love them, a lot. But I needed to get away and live life for myself for the first time in a long time. I know it's selfish," Meerkat readily admitted, "but I was so tired and unhappy. I needed some distance. Just a little. You know?"