Luna Hill here

Perhaps it was odd that she would return to the very place she had so disdained upon first setting foot in Relic Lore, and yet it was for this very reason that she returned to it out of instinct and comfort. For if there was anything that the female desired at this point in her life, it was familiarity. Never mind that the blackberries still managed to stain her white paws, and never mind that there were only tall grasses here--it was hardly likely that she would find a suitable den here that would provide adequate cover and shelter. What mattered was that she knew this place, at least more than the other places she had so far explored, and she knew there was bountiful prey in this region. She also relished the thought of waking in the morning to a limitless sky, vision unhindered by inconsiderate trees and rude mountains that swallowed up all that she could see. Those punks never cared for the shorter individuals.

So with the purpose of finding a home in mind, versus the haphazard shelters she had been finding this past week, she kept a sharp eye for possible underground dens and holes. It was as she was searching that she realized what it was that she was doing. She was looking for a permanent home. She was willing to stay. Oh, was it possible? She did not even know this place well, and yet she was tired of looking, of wandering lost and confused. The life of a loner was difficult, and it did not become easier as time passed. She wanted to rest, if only for a while, and this place seemed decent, though there were a few loonies rolling about. Faltering in her step, she gazed up at the distinctly pure blue skies and searched for an answer. <i>Here?</i> He did not answer, only gave a knowing smile.

Had she been here before? No, no, that was the cherries. This place was different. Rather than trees, there were bushes with dark purple berries that littered every inch of the ground it seemed. She'd rather be here than near the Orchard. Indru took her there once, and Torla had followed her. But she didn't want to think about family things now when she wandered away from home. She wanted to pretend she was on her own. Though, she figured, that was something she did every time she wandered off. Obviously she wasn't thinking about her family when she took those first few steps past the line.

The dark sticky juice was already beginning to stain her toes, and there were even random smears of it up the back of her legs where she'd stood on one just wrong. It was fun, really, watching her feet slowly turn purple. She even managed to laugh, going out of her way to trod on the fruits. When they were throughly discolored, she paused, raising a paw and giving it a curious lick. She loved the cherries. Those tasted great. But these strange purple berries weren't quite her taste. Their color was interesting enough, so she kept on going, eyes catching the form of a wolf that seemed nearly her size, which caused her to pick up the pace a bit.

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It was the first child she had seen for months, and it sent shivers through her spine. For in the form of the even smaller female seemed to her younger soul, trapped but still innocent, protected but safe. It did not matter whether these were true to the pup in reality; it was true to her projection of herself. So it was with this mindset that she gently called out to the pup, acknowledging her presence and perhaps inviting her to help. Still, she hesitated. It had been such a long time since she had interacted with one so young, and she wondered if it would be awkward--or if it would be more comfortable than she had been ever since she had left.

<b>"Good afternoon,"</b> she said. She was walking towards the pup at an easy speed, slow enough not to frighten a stranger. It was around this time that she realized this pup was also part of a pack. Now which pack and where, she was uncertain. But her longing, oh her longing to belong to a family of some design, had grown so strong over the past months. Perhaps, this young girl was an answer to prayers, haphazardly thrown at a a god used and abused by the french wolf. Her eyes wide with curiosity, she offered a smile. <b>"May I ask if you are you part of a pack?"</b> Her voice was uncharacteristically timid, but at the same time, more honest than she usually was.

As her presence was noticed and the older wolf began to move towards her, Borlla slowed down a bit, moving from a trot to a slightly bouncy walk. Close, so close. It was funny to stand near someone that was older than you, yet nearly your own height. For once, Borlla didn't feel so young, though this new female certainly wasn't. She spoke so formally, it was strange. Not hard to understand, but just odd. Her berry-soaked paws finally halted, and she watched the stranger curiously, planning out her words.

"Sure you can." Borlla nodded, pleased to be of some help. But a pause after her words drove her to realize that the female actually wanted to know where she lived. She wasn't just asking permission to ask a question. "Oh!" A smirk drew up her muzzle, and she took a step forward, then sat, giving her paw a lick before going on, "I live in Swift River. My name's Borlla, I, we, live near the mountain." She seemed to check her words, her eyes staring up at nothing for a moment then she nodded.

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Buoyed as if by waves, the small pup--who seemed to be comparable to her own modest size--soon was at her side, looking quite eager and pleased to be of assistance. Now this was a pleasant surprise! The nervousness she felt slowly began to wash away, and she felt cleansed as if by salt. Still, she was wary of swallowing in sea water, or worse, drowning altogether. Not wishing to flounder, even just one bit, she kept a tight grip of her metaphorical life preserve. She would take few risks. Flinching a bit as the pup exclaimed aloud, she had not expected this minute outburst, she gave a watery smile. <b>"Swift River,"</b> she said. <b>"Borlla."</b> She pronounced it as "bore-yah", her accent rolling in suddenly thick. <b>"We,"</b> she said. <b>"Oh yes! Of course. I must confess, Mademoiselle Borlla. It has been so long since I have been from my family, and--"</b> did she dare confess her fears to this utter stranger, or would the force of her honesty be too much? She decided she would take a little risk. Youth had a way of accepting imperfection. <b>"--it has been lonely for me. Just now I was looking for a den, but a den without a pack, eh, it is nothing."</b> Perhaps, she told too much?

"You're saying it wrong. Borlla. La. La. La." Her ears flicked back in annoyance, though she thought it was kind of funny that the wolf had said it so oddly. But they moved on. It was a relief to meet a wolf for once, who was not already acquainted with Borlla's family. This wolf didn't seem to be concerned with the young girl's well being at all, and that was definitely a relief. Borlla tilted her head off to the side in simple curiosity, "You're not little like me, are you?" Maybe she'd been mistaken, but this wolf surely acted older than Borlla did. But wouldn't it be amazing if she could just run away. If this wolf could, why couldn't she? "Swift River has lots of dens," The pup blinked, "I bet there'd be one for you there. But you'd have to ask Indru first." With a confirming nod, she shifted against the ground.

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She was wrong. Perfection was demanded, even from children--who unlike her previous thought, were not only able to catch the tiniest mistakes but also willing to call them out. Face flushing in embarrassment, she ducked her head in apology. <b>"Borlla,"</b> she said, heavily emphasizing the end. It was as if they had just been singing together, warming up for a line. La, la she continued to repeat in her mind, even as the child began to speak. She blinked, snapping back to attention, and gave a quizzical expression. She did not understand. Tilting her own head to the opposite side, almost acting like a reflection, she said, <b>"I think I am like you. Are you not like me?"</b> Her tone was sincere, and she wondered how they were unalike. <b>"But you do have a home, I supposed."</b> It was an admission she made quietly, more to herself than anyone.

Smiling at the thought of find a den with pack, she again had another question. It was odd, but it seemed young Borlla had a wealth information her own mind was lacking. She was the student. There was no question about. <b>"Who is Indru? Is it male or female?"</b> She could not tell by the names, you see. They all sounded rather gender-neutral to her. Gently taking a seat, she wondered if the pup would do the same. Gratefulness shone through her yellow eyes. It felt wonderful to be listened to and answered.

not entirely sure how the swift river pack meeting is going to end, so, some of the stuff Borlla says could be wrong...i guess it doesn't matter right now though, but yeah. XD

That was better. Not as funny, but at least it was being said correctly. Then again, it probably didn't matter much. She didn't even know the stranger wolf's name, so what did it matter how she said Borlla's name? She snuffled, then furrowed her brows. Small bits of confusion floated around her brain. Sure...Borlla was like her, like a wolf. Or was the girl saying that she was little like Borlla? Would she even be willing to run away from home if that was the case? Yet another thing that didn't seem to matter. That wasn't fair. How come she couldn't say important things?

"Indru is my big brother," Borlla nodded again, drawing out the 'i' in big. There was quite an age difference, so she thought it was necessary. "The alpha. But he's really nice. I bet if you came home with me, he'd be nicer." Well, to her at least, not necessarily to Borlla for wandering off yet again. You'd think that maybe he'd just get over it eventually, but she got the same lecture every time. It wouldn't be any different if she brought a friend home. "But this place is really nice too. I mean, a den can mean a lot with out a pack, I guess. But if you're lonely, then having a home is always nice, right?"

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Having never had the relationship of a big brother, the female was particularly intrigued in this minor detail. Apparently, he was a big fellow, a very big one by the way the pup emphasized the word, and she imagined a hulking figure, perhaps obese, standing beside their two small forms. Rolls of fat would ring around his deer-belly, so that when he walked, he jiggled and squeaked grease. But when the word alpha was added to the description, she could hardly imagine a plump boar of lard leading a pack--not any pack that could last through the harsh winter at least. So deciding this Indru-figure was, in fact, a male of great girth and assumed strength, she decided Borlla was in safe paws, but how strange was her end! <b>"What ever do you mean? I do not think I make others nicer."</b> Because she was not a nice person to begin with, and she felt almost deceitful with the unsuspecting pup, who perhaps believed she was always so polite, so mature with her company. Typically, she was just the opposite.

<b>"Yes, it is,"</b> she murmured, purposely vague in what she was responding "yes" to. Because she could not dare admit to the pup, who was perhaps so tender in mind, that she had once found it lonely even surrounded by so-called loved and dear ones. <b>"Is your brother aware of where you are now?"</b> she ventured instead. Her eyes darted to their surroundings, to her paws, and back up.

Borlla's head tilted off to one side, and she blinked, "Well, I'm not really supposed to wander off..." And so it began. In a way, maybe she had lied to the girl. The few times she'd been escorted home, the wolf who had been so kindly to do so had really gotten the short end of the stick. Indru was...Less than cordial to them. Maybe it was just Borlla being hopeful, that maybe one of these times he'd actually be nice to her guardian. "I just thought that if Indru saw you with me, helping me home, he'd be nice." She gave a hopeful smile, then shrugged.

"Not exactly," This was the topic that she'd hoped wouldn't be touched, but it was her own fault, bringing up her brother. "I wander off a lot." She decided to just be honest, just this one time, rather than go on about how she was big and what not. At this point, she knew well enough that she wasn't big enough and simply didn't care. She'd gotten this taste of freedom, and she wasn't about to spend all of her time wandering around Swift River until she was a yearling.

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