Today had been a late start. Again. Someone really needed to tell her internal dial that warm weather was no excuse to sleep in. Then again, she might blame the puppies. They were warm and, nine times out of ten, she would wake up with at least two pressed firmly against her; they weren’t much good at giving her space unless she was awake. All that body heat, the extra fur, it didn’t exactly make it difficult to sleep. But, as a hunter, the necessity to be up for the early game far outweighed the comfort of sleeping in with the children in the warmth of an overcrowded den. If this kept up, she was going to have to start sleeping outside again. At least then, when the sun rose, the light would wake her.

But she hadn’t done too bad. With three and a half pounds of cinnamon fur dangling from her jaws, she was already on her way back toward the center of Taviora. Sure, it was no big game, but Pine Martens were a sweet snack, akin to rabbit in many ways, and could help feed a summer pup at the very least. Coza’s latest litter was already being weaned, so she would assume others were doing as such. But her foster brothers and sisters had eaten the remnants of the moose Coza had dragged home last night, so this critter she’d caught this morning was going elsewhere. Maybe Sen could use the morsel? Her favorite medic had three yearlings to feed, which was certainly no small task in itself. Yeah, she’d just go drop off the critter with him, then go back out to see what else she could forage today.

Suomi had altered her course to head for the medic’s usual station, small paws carrying her lean body at an easy lope through the trees, when a loud summons brought her to an abrupt halt. Body standing at attention, the silver-lined ebon girl turned her wine-red gaze in the direction of the call, the golden flecks burning within her irises as the dappled sunlight trickled down from the trees.

The initial alarm of hearing Coza’s howl died off quickly once his easy tone became apparent. Smooth, happy... This wasn’t an emergency or... something bad. The girl let out breath in a small huff as her fur began to settle back against her body, her silver undercoat all but disappearing beneath her sleek, black exterior.

Oh, great. Social hour.

She couldn’t say she was particularly thrilled to take time out of her hunting schedule to sit around and watch the adults try to conduct a meeting while, at the same time, trying to handle their numerous children... But, this was still her pack, her family. And family matters, well... They mattered. She could suffer through an exhausting conversation if it meant keeping up with the goings-ons of Taviora. For them...

Turning toward the lingering echo of the beacon, Suomi took off at a dizzying pace through the forest, muzzle and Pine Marten tucked firmly to her chest to keep the meal from getting battered on the run. Awkward as it was, with the angled of her neck and the furry critter stuffed in her jaws, the girl managed to answer back. A loud, piercing howl of her own was let loose in the forest, only slightly muffled by her little red trophy, to let her father of sorts know she was on her way. It was only minutes later that she found herself in Coza’s clearing, stopping short and offering a slow wave of her high sailing tail in greeting.

The girl set the limp Pine Marten down at her paws gently before looking back to the chocolate and cream giant with a fond sort of smirk on her face. ”What’s up?” Suomi asked in casual appeal, her tail giving another gentle sway. She had never found a reason to be completely submittal when it was just the two of them, not when Coza knew full well she had no intentions of giving him a challenge. They had this, sort of, understanding. Or love. They could call it that, even if she found the word particularly insufferable. Much as others told her that feeling would pass as she matured... Well, Suomi wasn’t one to take the opinions of others, or at least most, in high regard.

Point was, she wasn’t putting on a show of her station until their little meeting had more participants. Then she might drop her banner slightly... just a little. Enough. She didn’t need people going around thinking she was some subservient damsel, after all.