Her mind had disregarded all of the world around her; she had stopped paying attention to the echoes of rushing water and the scraping of her own paws. Instead, she merely focused on the sound of her own breathing - alone, quiet, a rush of air that reminded her of her solitary nature. It made her remember how she had once been able to hear her brother's, or even her mother's. She tried not to think too much about her father. Perhaps he had been the one to first break her heart. She felt anger over it but for now, she had focused on the coldness she felt. It made her want to weep and yet, she could not bring herself to stoop to such a level. Instead, she merely continued forward and onward, instinctive and automatic.

Alone. At first, the words startled her. She froze up, her eyes wide and ears erect suddenly. Free. She twitched. Her ear flickered as she bit down on her teeth. Come out! Slowly, her head tilted. Somebody had heard her. She sniffed, a combination of a snivel and a curious examination of the woman's scent. Still, she did not move. Not at first, at least. Instead, she tentatively called back. "Mama?" She bit back the word, a huff echoing after. "No, you couldn't be." It was less sad now. She had sounded more... hopeful perhaps. Somebody new. Somebody fresh. It made her stomach knot in both excitement and nervousness.

Then - "I'm coming! She gathered herself amongst the darkness, holding her breath as she suddenly began to charge up the slopes and crevices of the grotto. She followed the woman's scent in silence, only the huffing sound of her ragged breaths giving her away before she emerged from the darkness. Still, she did not leave entirely. Only her pale face seemed to emerge from the shadows as she stared up at the white woman. Mama, she almost breathed out the words. The woman's fur was flawlessly white, illuminated in golden rays of sunlight. Had Eto ever seen her mother look so alive though? She shook her head and dismissed the idea. It didn't matter though. The woman was the opposite of the shadows. Light, tangible, real.

"Always alone, I am," she finally seemed to respond to the woman's initial question. Her eyes stared unwaveringly upwards, attempting to decipher the stranger in front of her. Trying to classify her. "Are... you alone too?"