rambly post, sorry. ; ;
Sage hadn't been prepared for the meeting. Although her mood had improved quite a bit recently, she had still been out of the loop, anti-social, and disconnected from her packmates. Hours that weren't spent alone walking with Lennon were spent on the farm, doing her duty. The Lykoi girl was nothing if not dutiful, especially now. She had noticed the fading scents. Too, though, she had noticed several new ones. Three, in fact. Once, she might have sought them out. Now, she only wondered if they would last.
Even Saluce had gone, she knew. It was a shock, and she had thought him so happy here. Not that long ago, he had tried so hard to cheer her up. It had helped, a bit, but now who would cheer her? The thought made the frown return to her face even now as she rode towards the Valley. Everywhere was quieter, and aside from the aging Macarius, all of the scents were female. It didn't bode well for their safety, and Sage worried about it daily after her dealings with Magnolia.
Her meeting with Clover had confirmed her sister's safety, and she had seemed well enough-- thank the Mother--, but Sage was still uneasy. Her blonde sibling seemed to enjoy her new home, but did she really know what they were like? The tawny Lykoi couldn't understand it. They had been raised in the same way; when had they all become so dissimilar?
The trek to the Valley didn't take long on Lennon's sure back, but Sage's brooding had made a worried crease in her brow. She tried to hide it as she approached, dismounting to greet the High Shepard traditionally. "Namaste," she said, nodding her head. The Lykoi thought she recognized the two pups beside Xy'rin, but couldn't recall their names. Ambers flickered to the new face among the four, a mottled, silvery brown girl with dark hair and a pretty smile. Sage was thankful for smiles, and tried her best to return them with her own.
Reaching into her bag, she took out a thin joint and lit it, puffing gratefully as she relaxed on the ground beneath the falling sun, letting the flames warm her fur and color her face. The herbal cigarettes were the one thing the willowy Lykoi always had plenty of, and she was happy to share. As she breathed out the fragrant smoke, she held the thing out to the others in offering. "I've got plenty to share," she said, trying to be friendly. She still felt awkward here, and knew that she needed to bond with them. This meeting was her chance. After all, Xy'rin carried a bottle herself, and Sage could smell it's strong scent from here. Perhaps she would share that, too.
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