Amaranth had been gone for - several days? Was it a week now? Was it more than a week?

Too long already. Although they often enjoyed each other's company in silence (or Amaranth would sit and patiently listen to her mate's incessant babbling), the mere absence of her familiar silhouette wandering the packlands was enough to leave Valeska wanting. There was the usual ruckus of pups and yearlings and awkward young adults, but...

Without her, it was lonely.

So the High Priestess buried herself in routine.

She rose with the sun and started off with a slightly less cheerful gait than usual, heading toward the borders to refresh the scent markers that denoted Elysium's presence within the Respite. Everything seemed fairly normal, barring the recent stranger at their doorstep -

Valeska squinted.

Was that another one?

Oh - it was a kid.

Oh no.

Her mind flickered back to Gamma and the fiasco surrounding Avon's holy pet rabbit, and she hesitated. Maybe if she turned around, she could pretend she hadn't seen him -

But it was too late, and they locked eyes.

Valeska heaved a ragged sigh and approached.

Hello, she said, discreetly taking in his scent to see if any pack-scent lingered upon his fur, Are you lost?