vaya

She may be four now, a true adult, but that didn’t mean she had to grow up. At least when she knew she was alone.

So she is taking the night for hers, wandering around in the woodlands. There were still patches of snow in the deepest parts, places for her to slide around on her back and cover her russet fur in the white before shaking it off. Rinse, wash, repeat. There was just something freeing about being able to be carefree, even if it is only for a few moments. Her nose tells her that all the scents around her belong to only the forest – nothing to cause her any concern for her own safety.

With all the immediate snow patches having been used for sledding on her back, she looks around for something else to entertain her. That is when she sees it, the glow lighting up the sky. Quickly she moves into a rare clearing in the woodlands to better see the strange lights that threw a green glow upon her face. For a moment, she is awed. Her mouth gaps open slightly, her eyes full of wonder. She had never seen such lights before. She had never been in the right place at the right time. It was like snakes, running across the sky.

With a joyous yip, she begins to run with eyes on the skies to follow that magical sky snake. Her breath comes in short pants but her eyes are still full of the sheer joy of the run. Who knew something so pointless could be so enjoyable? She puts on a fresh burst of speed, dodging through the trees. She has lived mainly here for the last season, so she is familiar with the layout of the woods. Her paws now familiar with the paths that will keep her noggin safe from collision with a rather hard tree trunk.

She had not been counting on another wolf, though.

She was running fast enough she hadn’t caught his scent – or hadn’t paid any mind to it. Then suddenly she rounded a tree and he was right there! She had only a split second to try to not collide with him so she started pedalling her paws, trying to slide in front of him. Unfortunately it was a bit too late and she could dodge, but there was no way she’d end up staying on her own feet. Suddenly she is tumbling, rolling, paws a’flying! After a few revolutions she ends up on her side across from the male, still unsure if she had managed to avoid him. Her body was bumped and bruised enough she wouldn’t have noticed one more from running into him. With a groan she pushes herself at least onto her belly but doesn’t try to get up yet. “Oww… I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you!” Her concerned gaze travels to the male and normally she’d be rushing over to make sure he was okay but her still spinning head told her to give it a minute.