Once more she was outside of Hearthwood Rive r—her pace was no more carefree than any other time, as her husband grew worse with each passing day. Her worry was taking its toll, and Kisla’s once slender and healthy figure seemed thinner than usual – a hint to her own declining health from stress.


And yet she tried to remain amicable and laid back this day, as Lekalta strode with purpose beside her. The young girl had yet to seemingly grasp her father was not doing well – nor did she seem overly deterred by Inna’s lack of presence as the dark girl had chosen to scout outside of the lands for the time being. No, Lekalta was simply content with the attention showered upon her in that moment, and as they walked, Kisla found the smile upon her features becoming less forced. Her girls would be entering the adult ranks soon – and Hearthwood River would have another litter this spring.. one, that despite her own reservations of her abilities, held her heart already.


They weaved through the foliage, casual discussion thrumming between them both when two familiar scents came upon the honeyed she-wolf. Her own stride slowed, and Lekalta looked at her questioningly. Giving her daughter a reassuring smile, she followed the faint scent of oak.. and soon, Drestig’s familiar form came to her, and her gaze drifted between him and the falls he looking toward. “Drestig?” Her tone was soft – yet hesitant. “What brings you north?”

Lekalta had been pretty eager to get outside of the pack borders, and while she was old enough now to do so on her own, there was something special about her mother accompanying her. Her heart ached for @Inna, who she missed terribly, but she knew her sister was not gone for long. She only regretted not going with her for her trip.


Almost as tall as her mother now, though perhaps more willow-y, as she had yet to truly fill out fully, Lekalta’s gait was a swifter pace than her mother’s, though the girl would always circle back to her side after she stepped further ahead. The day was sunny and warm, and snow began to melt away. Lekalta had enjoyed it in the winter – the first snowfall had been majestic.. but she was content that soon the leaves would once more come upon the trees, and the world would turn green again.


More importantly, she would be a year old soon!


Something in the air caused her mother to pause, and blinking at her curiously, Lekalta tipped her own muzzle back, trying to determine what it could be. Kisla reassured her silently, but the girl could not place the scent. Trailing dutifully after her mother, they came upon the dark wolf, and she studied him with open curiosity – she did not recognize him.. but her mother seemed to call him by name.


Growing bored already with the interaction, Lekalta cast her eyes upon the waterfall, the display of rushing water a sight she had not seen before. “Wow! That’s so cool!” The interruption was instant, and her paws itched to go further and investigate, though her eyes fell upon the man before her. “Is that yours?”

Kisla's brows lifted at Lekalta's question, her eyes drifting to study her youthful daughter r-- a small smile threatened her muzzle, but she spoke nothing for the moment. Clearly she would need to teach her daughter more about borders and respecting them -- surely if the waterfall had been Drestig's lands, they would not have stumbled upon it so blatantly. "She is -- this is Lekalta, one of my two youngest. Her sister, Inna, is currently traveling." It had pained her to allow her young daughter go, but she trusted the girl would be back - and that she would stay clear of trouble. They were almost within the adult ranks, after all.


One ear would flicker in his direction, and her eyes shifted back to him once more. It was interesting news to the honeyed woman, and she tipped her muzzle slightly, wondering what had happened -- was it her place to ask? "If you need a place to rest, Hearthwood River would be open to having you," she offered without hesitation. She might not have known what it was that had transpired between the man and her family, but she did not think ill of him, and the invitation was given out of trust and respect.

Her eyes were cast unabashedly upon the waterfall - though the man's voice drew her focus toward him. He did not say it was his, and she wondered if that meant she would freely be able to return and see it once more-- perhaps she could take Inna here.. or, even better..@Lachesis. He might have had puppies with Naia this year, but surely that was only an arrangement -- surely his heart burned only for her? After all, they had gotten lost in a blizzard together. That was far more romantic than having puppies! He must have felt that same pull to her as she did for him.


Lost in whimsical thoughts for only a few stolen moments, the yearling only snapped to attention when Kisla offered the dark man a place to rest, and she wondered if it was only for a rest, or as permanent residence. It wasn't that she was disinterested in the conversation, but she found the waterfall far more riveting than the two adults talking, and with a tentative step, her eyes grazed Drestig once more. "May I?" He had not claimed the waterfall as his, but somehow it felt polite to ask if she could investigate this discovery further, and her eyes directed themselves to her mother as well, awaiting permission from either -- she wanted to go plan her first romantic date with the pack's healer.

Kisla’s gaze followed Lekalta as she giddily skipped off – no doubt more happy about escaping her mother’s side than exploring the impressive falls. A small smile flitted to her features, and she directed her attention back to Drestig, her slender shoulders lifting in a gentle shrug as if to say ‘eh, kids.’


What did capture her intrigue was the mention of Jessie, and how the woman was with him – were they mated? Her eyebrows arched slightly in surprise as she made to process the information before her – never would she have believed the loyal Jessie to leave the Tainn pack, given she had been there for as long as Kisla could remember.. before she was born, even. “I would say congratulations – but are they in order?” Her tone was quiet, her voice non-judgmental. Whether the man had left because of a fallout with her family or not, she held no qualms against him – unless he had devastated them somehow. “My invitation extends to Jessie as well. She was a member of Swift River for as long as I can remember.” She trailed off then, recalling her sister, as well.. Cali. “Do you plan on settling within the vicinity?” Given his polite denial of her invitation, she could only assume he intended to claim lands of his own.

With general adult consensus, the girl cast a wide grin to the two before scooching off, her creamy paws swiftly lumbering toward the direction of the falls. Kisla's voice could be heard, but it was soon becoming fainter was the rumbling of the falls grew louder. She wasn't necessarily interested in the packs politics, so this was a pleasant distraction as she drew nearer.


Water quietly sprayed her face -- enough to refresh her, and loping along the banks, Lekalta's eyes traced along the drop to the water, watching the whirling rapids as they went further downstream. The River was not so swift -- and she wondered how treacherous its depths were. Surely one could not swim in this? But it was truly a sight to look to -- the bed of moss growth as a canvas across rocks, and green floor.. the girl inhaled sharply, her tail sweeping through the air behind her as she finally got a true taste of what the world outside of home could offer -- Lekalta now had her first taste of adventure, and she had to say she'd enjoyed it.. perhaps Inna would be home soon, and the girls could further explore the Lore together when they were older.