As summer wore on, showing no soon relief for the weary and overwarm, Steren was left quite glad she slept through the day and received no visitors, except maybe the occasional pack member drifting nearby to ensure she hadn’t died up here yet. It was a peaceful existence. Quiet. Exactly the sort of life she was ever so pleased to be living. Familiar, for she had lived like this for an entire lifetime before it was all cut short.

But even she had a secret summer indulgence. On warm, quiet nights, when even the crickets seemed hesitant to chirp, she would descend the mountain. Easier said than done, but she would descend either way once the sun had sunk low on the horizon, just a sliver of gold. Thus, by the time the moon was high, she was there. A quiet meadow, spotted with what was almost stars brought to earth. And when she stepped out into the field? They rose in bright, flashing clouds, scattering light around her in every way. Fireflies, insects she had always been enamored with. They set her coat alight with their glow, and she raised her nose just enough to be an attractive landing pad for a large female, who sat on the bridge of her muzzle and flashed her rear.

Hello.. She whispered to the bug. It didn’t reply of course, but she couldn’t help the childish giddiness that rose in her gut, a smile creasing her features. It was worth a night missing the sky she had all but chronicled now, to enjoy this small moment in time.

Thorvald