Blackberry Fields Guilt by association

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

Iopah pulled up slightly in surprise at Laurel's words. At a young age she'd learned to keep her opinions to herself, her parents disliked it when their yearling daughter tried to direct them, and over the years Iopah had become good at keeping her thoughts to herself. So, she knew she had not spoken her opinion aloud, no matter how vehemently she was thinking it. No, she'd only given a terse, clipped response. But what she hadn't said her body language must have communicated quite clearly for Laurel to interpret her private thoughts so well.

It was something Iopah was used to. In all those years she'd never learned to school her features as she did her tongue. Her eyes would light up with contentment and darken with anger. Iopah did not have a poker face. She looked at Laurel and blinked, her ears twisting away in mute disagreement. She didn't want to argue with this young woman.

And yet Laurel thanked her, though the Woodland wolf had not given much useful information. Iopah shrugged to say it was not big deal, but she smiled softly back at her. She had to give her credit, Laurel was honest and respectful. There was one last question and Iopah hesitated for only a second. Her scent would give her away anyways. Under the superficial blackberry the earthy smell of the thicket clung to her.

When the truth would be discovered so easily there was no point in being evasive. "Yes, and I should be getting back to them." A clean wind blew through the cherries and brought with it the scent of rabbit. The huntress looked in it's direction without moving to search it out. Without a mention of the rabbit she turned to look back at Laurel, gave a brief nod, then turned to make her way out of the cherry orchard.

Iopah exit

"Goodbye then." Laurel called out after her. And I hope when we next meet, we'll see each other as friends... She looked pleasantly upon the cherry trees before her, the leaves starting to turn brown for the oncoming fall season. She tried not to think what would happen to her if Kato didn't return, ready to start a pack for winter. The images that did come to mind didn't sit well. What would she do? Where would she go? A small sigh made it's way past her lips. If push came to shove, was she going to have to-

Laurel killed the thought. No more thinking on that today. Life moved in fluid motion- she would find someway to survive the cold. Or perhaps it would find her. Her deepest hope was that Kato was alright, and finding life as content as she.

The scent of rabbits on crisp wind brought her basic desires to the forefront, and with glee, she raced off in that direction- eager to eat be merry. For at least a little while.

Laurel exit. The end