Days have been busy. Golde took her new duties with utmost gravity, diligently surveying the lands for any little thing that may be even slightly out of the ordinary.

Today was uneventful. Her ears remained poised sharply, keenly regarding any sounds within earshot—yet all she could hear was occasional birdsong or the rustling of branches, swayed by the trees.

Golde swore that there were the subtle footfalls of rodents or hares who darted past as she moved. On edge, her face was paralyzed with a scowl, lips pursed into a stiff frown.

Alas. There were no scent trails, and she could find no signs of small prey beyond the slightest of sounds.

Perhaps she was hearing things.

The blonde weaved between the tall trees, tail swaying, eyes half-lidded. She didn't want to label such days as boring—a day of peace should never be taken for granted—yet... it was far from compelling, and dull stoicism remained flat over her expression as the wolfdog trekked over the Vale.

There came a violent rustle from beyond the wall of trees—Golde halted. For a second, she felt excitement rise in her mind—was it a piece of prey? Something she could hunt?

The elation was short-lived, as it was quite evident that whatever the culprit was, it was far larger than a hare or a mouse. A deer, perhaps, a coyote? A fox? God forbid anything larger—her heart began to accelerate, blood rushing into her ears.

A modicum of adrenaline was coursing through her veins for the off-chance it was something that would be far beyond her match. Golde marched over the frost-laden ground, ears folded back, eyes narrowed, sinew taut in preparation as she turned the corner—

Oh—

Oh.

There stood a she-wolf. Donning fur of elegant silver, soft eyes of vibrant gold. Pink nostrils flared against the air, and it was immediately evident that this was one of her peers—for not only did she smell of Dawnbreak, but she was also nearly identical to Aurelia.

Golde sighed out. In relief that there would be no reason for a fight, yet in mild disappointment that it wasn't something she could catch for food.

Shaking her head, she stepped out from the forest's dense backdrop. The woman, holding a stack of arid leaves between her maws, began to batter her head—Golde paused. What on earth— ...Am I... interrupting something? She raised a brow, gazing down at the small heap of shredded leaves that now lay at her feet.