It was only natural that she had taken to departing the prairie pack more often than not - after all, the arrival of newborns meant the territory had become particular estrogen filled. Newly made mothers had never been the most accommodating of creatures, and so Starshade had felt a desire to vacate the premises at least until the children were more capable of taking care of themselves. By then, at least, the hormones would have subsided and the mothers might have returned to a calmer state. Besides, she figured she could at least make herself useful and find some kind of offering. With spring's arrival, she had noticed the population of forest dwellers returning to its prior state. Already, young hares had been seen across the prairie, though they understood to keep their distance too. She and they were the same in that regard, though little else.

She had been absent from the prairie for some day or two now, having taken to sleeping out in the warm spring nights. She had found a suitable place in the crags - a deep crevice ran into the rocks, steady and dark and surprisingly free from water. Not even the winter snow had managed to infiltrate that deep and so, she had made a kindly little home of it. Of course, it had one major downfall and she had been quick to uncover it: it amplified sound, funneling it down onto her like the deafening roar of a waterfall. For the most part, it proved as a suitable warning system and yet, when the sound of a piercing cry resonated across the crags and grotto, it made her ears wrinkle back in agitation - if not, a small spark of stinging pain. Such a thunderous sound! She had to wonder who would want some company so badly and yet, she had never been one to dwell on folly emotions such as annoyance. Instead, she felt the social nature of her kind stir a little in response, her ears swiveling forward as soon as silence returned. These strangers were not so far away, it seemed.

With her usual cautious nature, she waited several moments before she slipped free from her makeshift home. She had ensured no others had spied her position before navigating the rocky terrain down onto the earth's surface once more; her dull claws clicked quietly, and she paused every several meters to gauge the situation around her. Where the rocks cracked apart, the scents of others drifted from the abyss. It was only when she had gotten that close did she realize that she had not accounted for the others; they had seemingly been lured in by the call as well, though she smelt tension thick in the air. She could not see them all, and yet she could hear their breathing, and the sound of hushed voices.

Not too far from her position, she had spied a younger female - a pheasant hung below her and for a moment, Starshade contemplated taking it and leaving. At least then her arrival would not have been in vain and yet, she immediately decided against the action. After all, the girl needed to survive too. Instead, Starshade moved in a wide arc around the grotto's entrance, moving closer to the girl in order to stand guard over her in some small way. The scent of male was strong, and though winter had dissipated, it did not mean their aggression had.