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Word Count: 384
The bitterness was out of character for her. Usually she was bouncy, energetic thing that couldn't sit still. Now she felt tired, rundown and unsettled. Her tail flicked from one side to the other occasionally. It was the only motion or sign of her restlessness. Already, she felt like fleeing the harvest festival for a nature walk that could help clear her head. Yet she remained out of loyalty to the main pieces of her family that were gathered. That and she was actually somewhat hungry, despite the butterflies that had been dancing madly around in her stomach since that morning. Somehow they were not filling her up, her stomach still grumbled hungrily as she scented food on the air. It hadn't appeared for everyone to eat yet, though, so she had to wait patiently like all the rest of the pack. Though she did momentarily wonder if they would notice her slipping away to steal a portion of the food prior to it being served... undoubtedly Range or Saul would.
Before the food arrived, though, her stalwart uncle was at her side. Before Melee could even react to Saul's presence, he was talking to her and his hand was on her arm. The girl's face flushed - not that anyone could see it under her fur - and her heated gaze was temporarily cast at the tied pair of Gideon and Nayru. She felt guilty that Saul had noticed her secret distaste for this whole ordeal. Even though she had thought she was being horribly subtle, it seemed that she had been very wrong. Her bi-toned gaze flicked up at her uncle, then looked outward at the sheep that was roasting. The scent of it cooking was making her stomach grumble more than the previous smells had, because it was right there, just begging to be eaten...
Before the silence stretched between his comment and her response, Melee spoke. "And she'll never be my mother." she responded, simply. It wasn't the entirety of her concerns, but it was the most that she was willing to offer at that moment. The girl tipped her head upward, moving closer to her uncle to hug him and lick affectionately at his cheek. "Great ceremony." the girl said, hoping to turn the topic from her inner turmoil.