Usually the woman couldn't be found in one spot within the thickets. She loved to traverse the dense growth, finding herself walking along the borders and even going outward to hunt for the pack. A scout at heart, the habit to explore was hard to squelch. But though the woman knew that her heart was in the mission of exploring and mapping new discoveries within her mind, she couldn't bring herself to truly be a scout again. Yes, she had enjoyed her time of being one, but it was time to begin a new chapter within her life. It was time to think of doing something new.

She had been a scout for so long now, that it was hard to think of doing anything else. Forcing herself to think deeply over this, she came to a  realization. Her first love had always been of scouting. As a child, it had been her dream to become a scout when she came of age. But as she grew older, she had come to realize another love - her love for children and seeing them grow. It was auch a wondrous process, to see these tiny beings become adults with their own thoughts and talents. Maybe she could become a teacher...

The scarred woman was brought out of her thoughts when she noticed a familiar figure. Her tail wagging and her blue gaze warm, she called out to her friend. "Nina!"

Her tail wagged lightly and her head dipped to show respect for her queen and friend. After all, Inali had always thought highly of the Woodlands matriarch, and now seeing daily as Nina went through her duties, her respect was well-grounded. Smiling, the woman opened her maw to speak. "Everything is splendid!" For how could she not be happy? She seemed to be on good terms with Nina, Bane brought her his ever-present comfort, and she was surrounded by growing children. Still, there were some things that always pricked at her heart. Though, her brief stints of sadness were just that - brief. Her fractured heart was slowly mending by the loss of Naia in her life, and though it would never be the same, Inali knew she had to somehow move on with her life.

Bringing her thoughts back onto the present situation, the woman's blue gaze watched Nina. She wanted to ask the matriarch what she thought of Inali's new revelation concerning the children, but her mother had raised her to be polite. And she truly was worried over her friend. The woman wasn't getting any younger, and the thought brought sorrow to the gentle subordinate.

Inali sat, wanting to make Nina comfortable and opened her maw to speak of her concerns. "I hope everything is well for you too?" Her concern over the woman was obvious with the soft furrow of her brows and nervous flick of her tail. How was Nina truly fairing?

Inali nodded, taking Nina's words as truth. The crease in her brow cleared, but there was still concern in her orbs. Nina was downplaying her discomfort, for she had seen the woman walking about and her gait was not as smooth as it once had been. But she was speaking truth - old age escaped no one. Her blue eyes cleared of their worry and were replaced with their usual warmth. Nina did not need Inali smothering her, for the matriarch knew her limitations. She would not press more on the manner. For now.

It took no time for Nina to jump right into things, and Inali couldn't hold in her jolt of shock. Unlike many of the Woodland wolves (it seemed) her nature was not a closed one. Her emotions were always on clear display, and Inali was in shock. Was Nina really trusting her with this? After all Inali had done? Blinking slowly, the woman mentally shook herself and recovered, her tail wagging happily. "Of course!" The scarred woman's joy was beyond words and it took a moment to realize what Nina was truly asking of her. Physically, this was a feat that would be of no issue. Emotionally...

Her shoulders seemed to droop, and Inali's tail slowly came to a halt. How could she explain? "But.." she spoke hesitantly. Rarely, the ex scout was speechless. This was one of those times. How did she explain to her queen, the woman who had given her a second chance, that this was not at all what she wanted to do with her future?

Nina's openness was genuine, and Inali ached to spill out all her feelings to the wise matriarch, but Inali needed to think smart. Though Nina was trusting her with this mission, it didn't mean that Nina was at the point that she fully trusted her. Breathing out a shaky breath, the woman opened her maw. "Scouting has always been my passion. But, the position has also forced me into making extremely painful decisions." Not directly, no, but in a way. As a scout, she was the pack's messenger and, at least in her case, the position had aided her in becoming close with her leaders. Inali had always known she was an emotional woman, but as a scout, you couldn't become too emotionally involved. Not really. At any moment, something could go wrong - alliances could be destroyed, friendships would have to be forgotten, and promises would have to be broken. It was too much, too painful. "I don't ever wish to be in a position again where all my choices leave both parties pained." Shutting her eyes tightly, Inali took a moment to regain her composure before speaking again. "I will do this mission, Nina, but I beg that you no longer see me as a scout. I wish to be anything but."

She lowered her head slowly, knowing she was in no position to ask this of her queen. But she needed to say it. Inali only hoped the woman understood.

Her tense shoulders sagged with relief at Nina's words, her heart singing with the warmth and understanding she saw in her queen's emerald gaze. She was so happy Nina wasn't angry with her. As the matriarch continued, Inali's tail began to wag lightly and a soft smile spread across her maw. Oh yes, she had a role in mind! Scouting had been her first passion ever since she was a child, but a close second was her passion for children and the chance to pave their way through life. Being surrounded by the little bundles of joy had always warmed a special place in her heart, and now she had the opportunity to do something that could possibly involve the future of the Woodlands.

Lifting her gaze to Nina's, the woman spoke eagerly in her gentle voice. "I would love to try and become a teacher!" She had high hopes there would be pups this coming spring, but either way, she still aimed to become a teacher whenever pups did arrive to the Woodlands. Hoping that Nina would realize the truth in Inali's words, the woman waited with bated breath to recieve Nina's blessing in what she wanted to do with her future.