you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

Her time was running out with each passing day and she was starting to panic. Worried that she wouldn't have any preparations done for when her pups arrived. She'd now turned back North heading along the base of the mountain in search of a good site for a den and a place close to it she could cache food. She'd already traveled over to hush meadow and found that the lavender had yet to sprout, that was a disappointment to say the least.

She now found herself back in more familiar territory which offered some comfort but not enough. She picked along the mountain base looking for something that would work for a den but in the back of her mind she didn't think she would find anything. Movement along the rocks was slow and awkward for her now that her belly was starting to swell with the lives growing inside her. She went on until she found something that looked like it could be promising.

The hole that she found in the ground looked like it would be big enough to allow her to enter and exit as she was. The Raven sniffed the entrance for any signs of something dangerous lurking in the dark but found none. She decided to investigate it further sticking her head in just a little to see what was inside.

you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

What she found when she looked into the hole wasn't anything to be excited about. It was small, most certainly not room for her and her pups. It would never work and as she pulled her head out she decided she didn't like the way the ticks formed little ledges that weren't a big deal for adult wolves but puppies could get hurt. She was starting to wonder if she would ever find a suitable den for her children. She turned away from the hole and was just about to continue her search when she smelled something there hadn't been there before.

The scent belonged to another, a female, and she was young. At first the scent had put her in alert but realizing that there probably wasn't a threat here she relaxed a little. “You can come out from. Wherever you are. I assure you there won't be any trouble from me,” she called into the surrounding forest. What would she look like attacking a young wolf with a belly full of puppies anyway? She stepped further on to flatter ground to rest her paws by dropping onto her haunches to wait for the other to show themselves.

you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

Inna wasn't particularly keen on being watched especially in her current condition. She didn't know if the wolf that was watching her meant her harm or not. Any other time she would be ready to defend herself but she had her puppies to think about. She couldn't take any chances so it was best to figure out what this wolf was up to sooner rather than later.

Sitting back on her haunches to give her paws a rest the Raven waited for the girl to come out. She didn't expect any trouble really from a girl and one that seemed rather shy but she stayed alert just in case. Finally her fiery gaze rested on her and she looked only a little older than she pictured her daughter to be. Now the question became what was she doing out in the lore all by herself? Of course Inna knew she was one to talk since she knew she should be in a pack herself.

A dark brow raised at the question, “That's a little forward of you,” she said with a short laugh, “No matter. I'm Runi, what's your name?” She returned the question since it seemed they would be playing this game. At least until Inna couldn't keep herself from asking, “What's one so young doing out here on your own? The Lore isn't always the safest of places.” Inna knew quite well the dangers that lurked just around each corner.

you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

Since leaving Hearthwood and everything behind Inna felt a lot calmer than she had since her mother's passing. It made it much easier to be more patient with this girl and allow her to do things in her own time. Besides it gave the Raven a chance to rest from the journey north that she'd recently undertook. The urgency to find a den was of course still there but she needed to spare a few moments for this girl and for her own pups.

Inna watched as the girls eyes fell to the ground at her words. “Please call me Runi and no reason to be upset. I just wasn't expecting it when you seem so shy.” The girl explained what her mother has told her, Inna smiled. “It's a good sentiment but I feel you have to get to know a wolf before they are a stranger. Even then…” Well that was all history wasn't it?

The Raven rose to her paws as the girl spoke her name, “It's nice to meet you Carmen,” she said with a flick of her tail as an invitation to follow her. “Come, we can talk while I work,” she added to clarify. The girl went in to explain she'd been separated from her mother. “I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that you find her but I don't know if staying put is the best idea unless you're planning to join a pack,” she advised realizing the decision she'd made months ago. The difference was she was older than the yearling.

you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

Inna did note that the girl was very polite which she could appreciate. While she knew that was what Carmen was trying to do when she called her ma’am it didn't sit right with the Raven. She felt she was still much too young to be called that. What the girl came up with next however was much better but Carmen seemed unsure of which to use. “Either is fine,” she told in hopes to clear that up for her. Once they were past that they could move onto more pressing issues such as what the girl would he doing next. Inna felt she could offer some advice. She'd lived in the lore her whole life and had been on her own.

The Raven wasn't quite sure what to make of the girl yet since she had seemed shy at first but now seemed to have gained some confidence. She would give it some time before she made any final judgements. Until then she didn't mind talking with Carmen but they would have to do it while she continued her search. She couldn't waste much more time even if she felt in the back of her mind there was only one place she wanted to have her pups.

Once again Carmen showed her politeness as she agreed that it was nice for them to have met. As Inna moved back toward the base of the mountain she was stopped as the yearling asked about packs. The Raven turned toward her, “I know of a few, one not far from here though I don't know the exact location. It's that way,” she gestured with her muzzle in the direction she knew Kerbs pack to be. “Another a couple days journey to the south. Then in the north there are some packs at least three.” She hadn't come across any others that she could tell about, “Are you thinking of joining one of them?”