Sex: Femaleshe hasn't actually crossed the border, but those puppy feet are itching to do it!
The adults didn't seem to be nearly as caught up with the change of seasons as the youngest Pines' daughter was. Everywhere stuff was different—the alder leaves were all bright yellow, while the salmonberry leaves had fallen and it was getting much, much colder.
That first morning Bracken had woken up to the surprising sight of her own breath she felt sure the adults would be more attentive to the changes. But no, her mother had simple given her an amused nudge -breath billowing white- and gone on her usual way. The days went by after that and Bracken had watched all the changes wide-eyed, virtually discovering her beloved red-cedar forest all over again. While the adults hurried to get ready for winter, she hurried to explore every inch of the changing forest. Inevitably, she circled closer and closer to the borders with each passing day. The girl had not yet crossed that line by herself, but every day she got closer and closer to making that first lone step over.
And how could she not? What if the outside world was just as fascinating and exciting as what she used to? What if it was more? Bracken stopped, ears swiveling at the cry of a bird, and watched the outside. It seemed quiet, none of that danger her mother sometimes mentioned. The young Reinier looked left and then right, as if checking that the coast was clear. It was obvious that she was curious, but working up the nerve was another thing altogether.