Fallen Tree Cove Through frosted window panes

Winter had arrived without bringing another catastrophe or environmental peril to the mountain, so far. Nothing on the order of the summer drought, or the immediate loss of her father beset them now, leaving her to reel and heal. Stella knew she should be thankful that there was some reprieve, but it felt like little consolation after everything the world had thrown at them so far. It wasn't fair at all, what was a little mercy worth now?

She knew she should be teaching her littler family members what she knew now that they were growing larger, or checking up on Leo or Oksana or her other packmates. Making use of herself in some way other than wandering the shores of the lake in listless contemplation. And yet here she was again today, wandering the rocky shores alone but for the reflection that tailed her out of the corner of her eye. Scouting the edges of their territory for any dangers, she would occasionally trick herself into thinking she might catch Aleister's scent or voice on the wind. Sometimes she even thought her own reflection resembled him, or even Kip. It was always bittersweet, but also comforting. At least until she had to remind herself of reality.

Scouting around the borders had given her the chance to seek those moments out. Once, she'd left the Cove to find what she'd lost, and had failed. Now what she sought was here in a way, but just as far out of reach. It was harder to find a path forward from that.

(This post was last modified: Jan 13, 2023, 11:20 PM by Stella.)