How relieving it was to play as children played! She had always known that to stay young, one had to act as such. If she had been true to her emotions, she might have spent years wallowing in loss and pity and yet, each time disaster had taken from her, she had done her best to give back to the world instead. She gave kindness in hopes that one day, kindness would return to her. If she wished to fight away this doubt and worry, she had to pretend it was but the leaves she tossed about and crumpled up. She'd damn well chase all her worries away if she could, grabbing at one of the fallen leaves and shaking it till it broke apart into tiny, golden pieces. She felt young. She felt like she did before things had all gone astray; for a moment, she could even smell the salt of Litherum in the air. She was succeeding and yet, she only wished she could erase the worries of others in such a way, too.

Perhaps, then, it was just her luck as she saw the form of another barreling down the slopes. She no stranger with such a face, a beautiful wolf who could easily be the personification of winter itself - Natu, the spider of Spirane. She had done her best to remember the names and faces of all of those within her pack and in a way, she admired the woman for achieving such a rank so efficiently and so fast. Perhaps Niviaq questioned Spirane's need for a thief but she certainly did not question the wolf who took such a role; they all needed to survive somehow, after all.

She paused but for a moment as the female came towards her, sending out a short yip as her tail rose and waved excitedly. It was but for a moment before she dove forward once more, trying her best to keep pace with the larger female as they chased their rather peculiar prey. As the leaves fell down from above, Niviaq leapt forward and allowed herself to flop into a thin layer of leaves, her limbs flailing excitedly as she rolled on her back, snuffling into the foliage before flicking her muzzle up in order to toss a small cloud of burnished red and copper towards Natu. She followed through a sheepish, playful grin, rising into an ecstatic play bow.

She had to wonder what the others would think lest they come to see such a display. Perhaps it was unorthodox for two wolves of such an age to play in such a way and yet... who would care? Who could judge? It made her feel lighthearted, touched even that another might come partake in the simplest of joys. Already, she began to think of ways to give back to Natu though the woman most likely had no idea what she had done for Niviaq.