As summer dragged on, it seemed like the heat was going to continue to suck the water from their precious lake. The large shadow moved through the trees slower than she once did. Age, heat and a moment off from her grandchildren contributed to her reduction in speed. Though the elder woman has gotten used to it, it has its moments when it becomes a hard pill swallow. Her mind wandered to when she was younger, what she took for granted and how much she would give to go back...

The Eastfall matriarch had been so preoccupied with her thoughts that she was unaware that her wandering paws led her straight to their puddle lake. Mercury orbs blinked in the sudden assault of sunlight as she stepped onto the now very large lake shore. Once adjusted, a sandy figure came into view down by the water. Moon easily recognized the young Vuesian girl's form. Her silver dusted banner waved behind her as she made her way down to the water's edge. "Hello love" the elder woman called to the youth as she came to stand next to her. The girl had been through so much in her young life much like Moon had been at that point in her life. Moonshadow regreted that she hadn't checked in more often, it was something she was hoping to get better at.

Moon's silver dusted banner waved easily at her hocks as she approached the young Vuesian girl. She was greeted with an affectionate head bump to her shoulder. The elderly woman returned the affection with a lick to Stella's crown before sitting beside the youth. The cove women looked out at the lake for a moment before the paler girl spoke. Her voice quieter than her initial greeting, a hint of hesitation in her tone. As she formulated an answer Stella told her that she had found her half-brother while she was away. Speckled eyebrows rose with surprise at the news. This was the first she was hearing about it and wanted to hear more. "I'm alright 'n no I havent heard from him since he left." Her heart sank a little at the admission. She would be lying if she said she didnt miss her eldest son and wished he come home, even if just for a visit. "Did ya? That's exciting!" The inky woman stated trying to put emphasis on the exciting part of finding a sibling. She remembered meeting @Vaken and finding out her brother had survived the forest fire that had separated her from her family. She knew Stella had left to find @Kip and hadnt had any luck. Moonshadow knew the pain of being so young and feeling so alone, searching for family. She reached down and gave the tawny girl an affectionate nibble behind her ear to try to comfort her.

The dark shadow was content to simply sit there with the young Vuesain girl if that was what she needed. For a small while thats exactly what the polar colored women did. Moon held Stella against her as tight as she could, her salt and pepper maw resting against her crown. A sigh escaped the yearling before she voiced her dilemma on whether it was right to move on or not. A small sigh of her own left the older woman's chest, though she didnt stop holding Stella. This dilemma was no stranger to her. It was something she still struggled with. "There is no movin' on really, more like moving forwards. Movin' forwards doesn't mean leavin' them behind or forgettin' them.  No matter what they are always with ya." The older woman was constantly reminding herself of this. It took her a long time to come to terms with this fact but in her heart she knew it was true. It had to be, there were too many wolves she loved who weren't with her physically.

The large shadow continued to hold the smaller silver girl. She explained how even though those they loved were no longer with them, they would always be with them. It was no surprise to the older woman that Stella followed up with asking how they really knew they were with them. Moon's silver dusted banner swept the ground behind them for a moment as she thought of the best way to explain it. "There's many ways we can tell." The grandmother began, giving the girl crown a gentle kiss. "We know through our memories of 'em, the things we did with 'em, 'n the places we spent time with em. As well as through the gentle breeze around us, the gentle lapping of the water, a sense of comfort that seems to come from nowhere." The inky Eastfall woman explained her gaze looking around the environment around them. A small smile formed on her inky lips as a breeze rustled their coats, just enough for them to notice. So many were gone...she hoped one day she would see them again.

As they sat the lake buzzed peacefully around them, life going on as it always did. It brought that peaceful feeling to the elder woman as she sat thinking about those she missed. Moments passed as the pair sat before the silver yearling spoke once again. She was unsure if she understood but hoped the inky woman was correct. A sad understanding smile adorned her salt and pepper maw as Moon's silver orbs met gleaming golden suns. It was a difficult concept to understand, especially so young. The Eastfall woman hoped with all her being that this was the end of the tragedy that Stella would have to endure. Though that was not going to be the reality unfortunately.

The Vuesain girl gave her a head bump to her shoulder, which was returned with a nibble to the base of her ear. "Of course love." the ebony she wolf responded lovingly. "If I didn't then that would mean I didn't love ya" Moonshadow responded to the yearling's request for her to not worry about her with another small nudge. The girl was family and would always be loved by the Eastfall woman, therefore always worried after as well. Mercury orbs looked once more out to the lake, catching movement among the shallows. "Care for a bit of fishin'?" She offered with a smile when looking back to the yearling. Surely they could use a bit of fun, that possibly resulted in a snack.