Word Count: 500+
She had risen before the sun began to peak through the window of her new room in Haven Manor. The cinnamon girl had not wanted to leave her new bed, but the disciplined schedule burned into her brain from her youth would not let her sleep past sunrise. The occasional instance of waking up late did occur, but usually only if she had been abnormally exhausted the day before. That had not been the case today, for today Cassia was eager to begin exploring her new homeland. She'd been here no more than a day or two and already felt a deep bond with this land. The mahogany maned wolfess had yet to meet many of her pack mates, save for Oak and Anu, but she was sure that would all come in due time.
By the time she had made it out the front door, the sun was still only just beginning to color the sky with its radiance. Wearing only her blouse, skirt, and her sword belted around her waist, Cassia had headed southwest, around Rabbit lake, Tallermein's Cottage, and the newly repaired Koender windmill. Her destination was the orchard Oak had told her about. She had not seen it on her journey into the lands, but Oak had told her at one point that they had been close. At this time of year the cinnamon girl figured the apple trees would be close to blossoming, so maybe her nose could help guide her the rest of the way. Sea green gaze wandered through the trees as she made her way towards the orchard, ever alert to the scent of deer, elk, or any other common prey she was familiar with. Though she was not hunting today, the huntress could not simply turn off her training, for one day soon she would likely need to find food. The game would be on and she would need the advantage. That was for another day, though, and surely enough as the Calidus girl continued towards the place where she had met the pack Praetor a couple days before she detected the faint scent of what else but apples. The scent was barely noticeable on the wind, but still it gave her a new direction and she strode off towards her goal with an excited kick in her step. Though calm and collected on most occasions, exploration had always been one of Cassia's favorite pastimes, since she was a pup. It still gave her joy even as a young woman.
A few minutes passed before the scattered trees opened to a new kind of forest, with most of the trees still growing in the neat rows the humans had planted them in long ago. Inhaling deeply, absorbing the scent of the orchard, the mocha ticked girl resumed walking, but at a slower pace, up and down the rows of trees. She'd likely spend most of the day here; exploring every inch of the orchard until she was satisfied she could learn no more of its secrets today. That would be awhile from now, though. Today's adventure had just begun.[/html]