Finding the best in any situation was difficult and already Anastasia was having a hard time coping. This particular return of hers seemed far more drastic a change than the last but time had certainly been a factor. Before she had only been away a few months but this time it had been a year or two at best. It was unfair to think that time wouldn't ravage all that she loved; Anastasia knew she should be happy yet all she felt was dismal at best.
So the pale cherub carried on and allow herself to wander far into the hillside ravine where she could reflect dangerously upon the things that she had once dreamed of having but had been dashed away miserably. Heartwood River was nice but she had a lot of growth to do if she wanted to actually make it home.
Upon the hour she spies a wolf similar to her own pale friend and her hearts aches to call to him but she can't. Not now, she needs this time -- instead she watches him put a paw on the farther reaches of the log as though testing its sturdiness. Unaware that it wasn't even XIX to begin with.