She knew now why Marianna had been so vehemently compelled to always plunge herself into the snow this time last year. Damned if she didn't feel too young for it, but Lucia had it too know. That itch, that overwhelming stench, that slimy feeling that was inside her skin and couldn't be gnawed or bathed away. It had almost kept the siblings from being able to strike out, her parents worried that their daughter, not even in her second year, would fall prey to some opportunistic male. Maybe that was why Solomon had been sent with them, or it had been his availability that tipped the scales in their favor.

But any man that looked at her cross would get a firm swat on the nose, and more if he pushed his luck; as always, the girl was overconfident in her ability to hold her own despite (or maybe in spite of) her small stature. Plus, Ryker always had her back, and Solomon was a good enough guy. Dad seemed to trust him, anyways. So she wasn't worried, just annoyed. Thankfully it was almost over, according to her mom's lesson on the season, but apparently this trip wasn't.

"Wasn't it right here?" she asked aloud, clearing becoming exasperated. Her paws hurt and she was cold. It seemed winter was giving them one last kick in the ass before helping itself out the door, because the air was frigid and the wind hurt her snout.

"Wait..." Lucia stopped in her tracks, but leaned forward, neck stretching out and eyes narrowing as she peered between the trees ahead and saw a glint of the water and the snowy grey of what must have been mountain. It was right here, or at least, had been. Shit.

"Dad ain't gonna be happy."

She wasn't happy. Where the hell was everyone?! The pack was gone.

Lucia leaned into Ryker's shoulder once he reached her side, a soft but frustrated puff of air escaping from betwixt her lips. Good reason to leave? What could that be, though? Even if they didn't have a lot of wolves with them, this would still be home, wouldn't? She chewed the inside of her cheek and stepped forward a few paces, sniffing the snow as though it could give her any clues. Hoping to catch something, anything, recent.

Nothing.

Had it been the same reason her parents had moved? The Asurns?

Solomon interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to face the two boys, scoffing audibly at the older. Their escort, like they had really needed it. She'd been grateful for his company so far, but wasn't about to tolerate any talk of running right back home.

"No," she told him firmly, "visiting was just a side thing, we're here to... to stretch our legs."

So to speak. The worry returned to her gold eyes as they drifted, looking over the forest yet again.

"... we need to find out what happened though. If we can. Mom and Dad'll want to know. ... I want to know."

She had loved the wolves they'd left behind, specifically @Jynx, @Emrys and @Sylva. Lucia wanted to know that whatever had happened to the Notch, they all were alright now.

She didn't mind Sol's slight attitude or his little quip, quite used to the man's personality by now. Instead, she focused on the question, chewing her lower lip in thought while staring at Ryker, as though they could connect their brain power and come to a solution quicker.

"Would the Rye know? Or that Craw guy's pack? They like, talked, right? Or were allies or something?"

Man, she really didn't know much of anything about the Notch's allegiances. Gent had given them some names, a few that could be trusted and a few to watch out for, but he hadn't told them what to do if everyone was just gone.