Things were slowly starting to come into working order around Secret Woodlands. Together they were all working past their losses and trying harder to work to find food for the winter, as this one seemed to not wish to be kind to them. However, things seemed to be brightening up for one of her most valued members, Ashanti, but not so much for Hollow, her partner. Koda had returned to them but Nina had been in slight emotional turmoil to fully comprehend what was going to happen. Did she honestly want Hollow to back down from his position? She knew she didn’t want him to, but she didn’t know what she would do with Koda around now. How was she supposed to act towards him now? Just like another subordinate? She knew that eventually the emotional toll would be taken on her; she was already starting to lose sleep because she was too busy thinking.

Things were not going to be quiet at the borders today, but when she heard the call, she knew who it was immediately and her day immediately had brightened. It had been about a year ago that she had sent Kashikoi to develop himself better and she was sure he had gone outside of Relic Lore to do so, but she held onto the dear hope that he had resolved whatever was going on through his tortured mind and learned much about live since he had gone. Her tail began to wag immediately but she had to remind herself that others that she was not so close to, might have been at the borders as well. Her body moved quickly through the thickets, her paws thundering heavily against the ground. Shortly before she arrived she straightened herself and lifted herself high as she approached the borders, her single eye sweeping over the body of her close friend. She slithered into Hollow’s right side stealthy out of habit and looked at the russet boy in front of her, <b style="color:#008080">”Kashikoi…it has been…quite some time, yes?” Her words were light and playful, a small smile shining upon her scarred face.

The strong woman was slightly surprised by how much Kashi had changed in the passing year. Her heart almost ached to be able to hold him like the son she had once viewed him as, but she knew he was no longer the child she had met when she had first came into the Lore. She had been leading when she had first created Secret Woodlands and was slightly shocked that the man would think that Nina would give up her position. She had once been a subordinate wolf, but in a way, when their former alphas had left them, Nina had risen, though she supposed she still had Ash to thank for that too. Too shocked to answer, she was happy that Hollow took care of it and spoke to the male for her, not losing a beat in her hesitation to answer his question. None the less, the Reinier was quite thrilled that her long time friend had returned and took in pleasure of closing the distance between them to rub her muzzle along his forehead; she had missed him dearly and was glad that he had returned home.

Pulling away from a moment, she studied his much smaller body, noting the toll that his loner life was taking on him. Clearing her throat, she spoke softly, but curiosity was easy to hear in her voice, <b style="color:#008080">”Did you…finish your studies in your absence?” Nina had only been able to have a few training sessions with the male to ensure his knowledge and hoped dearly that he had held onto her lessons in his time away. He had been so confident about becoming a healer back in Copper Rock Creek, but Nina could understand if he had wanted to move on and try something new. She would not blame her, but the curiosity was biting at the back of her mind and she knew that she just had to know.