On the search for prey and herbs Vera had - in her mind, luckily - come across the tracks of a deer. She had changed her course and followed it, even when it led her to the Ghastly Woods. The open land soon quickly changed to thick tree canopies that cast everything in a dark shadow, with long, wispy branches that stuck out and grasped at her fur, like it was trying to pull her in and stop her from leaving. But the instinct and desire to continue after the deer pushed her onwards, through the creepy forest. Maybe it would have been a good idea to bring Florence along, but she couldn't, and wouldn't, turn back now.

The Diminutive Ivory She-wolf hadn't ben in the Ghastly Woods for long before she heard a particularly loud sneeze from where she had come through. Pausing, her ears pricking, she turned her head around and looked over her shoulder for the cause of this sneeze. It meant there was a wolf nearby, possibly even following her, and that set her on edge. Fur bristling and deer stalking forgotten, Vera stalked forward towards the wolf. Soon she saw the fiery pelt of a wolf, one that was larger than her - obviously - and made herself known with a low woof. It was only when she moved closer that she realized it was Fly, her first friend, and the wolf that introduced her to Black Thorn Downs. "Fly?" Vera said curiously. "What are you doing here?" She was secretly very pleased to see her friend, as they hadn't seen much of each other since that first day. It was then that she had remembered the russet female had sneezed before, twice! It wasn't uncommon for wolves to get colds during winter, and she knew of a herb that could help relieve the symptoms of it. "I heard you sneezing before... are you alright?"

When the russet female saw Vera she smiled brightly, and in return the Diminutive Ivory She-wolf wagged her tail, a smile of her own gracing her face. There was just something about Fly that made her feel happy and at peace, like she didn't have to watch her back all the time. Was that what friendship felt like? Well, if it was, she was glad. She was sick of running. Sick of always having to be on alert or die. Friendship was good, friendship worked. A laugh of her own followed her friend's playful and teasing words, punctuated by a giggle here and there. Ears splaying apologetically, Vera grinned back, attempting a try at being playful in return. "I suppose I did have a paw in covering up the deer tracks... but what are you gonna do about it, take away my hunting privileges?" She laughed again, feeling completely at ease.

A concerned look crossed Vera's face when the russet female sneezed, quite dramatically, if she said so herself. She knew of a herb that helped to relieve cold symptoms when the bark as chewed, but the only place that it grew close enough in was the Secluded Springs, and that was too far away now. However, she had recently made a trip there and brought some of the Skunkbush bark for Florence for this very reason. "Yea, sorry about that, I didn't realize you were nearby or I would have asked you to join me earlier." Well, the Diminutive Ivory She-wolf could make it up to her by clearing up her cold. "I know of a herb that relieves the symptoms of a cold. Come, I'll take you to the den. We can chat on the way there." Smiling, she gestured with her muzzle in the direction of the den she and Florence shared - that's also where they kept their herb stock - and waited for Fly to move first.