Maybe it was the mother in her but something told her Maris was hurting. It was like an aura wrapped around her. Avery hated the sight of it and wished she knew how to lift it from the female and put some happiness in its place. She figured company was a good start, and maybe sharing some of her own story would help Maris see that she wasn't alone. She wanted Maris to know that there was life after the death of someone you love and you didn't have to follow them into the dark abyss. Maybe her mother was all she had at the time but the world is full of other wolves just waiting to make friends and connect with others. This was a good first step, letting Avery reach out to her and comfort her in her time of need. She couldn't even hold eye contact, her gaze to the ground as if she was ashamed of how she felt. There was no need to feel ashamed though.
At least the female held her ground when Avery got closer to her, allowing her to lift her head back up. Maris blinked, as if trying to focus before nodding when Avery finished speaking. She told her that her mother's death wasn't unexpected. It just took more out of her because she didn't have other connections to reach out to. Avery knew she could never fully understand what Maris was going through, if only through her own failed connection with her mother, Chernobyl. Maybe if Chernobyl had stuck around, maybe she would have clinged to her too, wanted her mother's love and attention. Instead, she learned rejection at a young age, what it was to be second choice, never first. Next thing she knew, Maris was saying she didn't know where to go or what to do, even asking Avery straight out.
Avery's smile softened. "You can go anywhere you like. If you need a place to stay, you're more than welcome to come with me to my pack, Iromar. You'll get a clean den and guest status so no one will question your presence. Maybe once you're in a safe place, you'll figure out what to do next. There's no pressure to stay or anything. You can leave whenever you want. I can keep you company or I'm sure some of the pack members will be curious and want to reach out, as well." Her eyes got a new spark in them as her smile turned up a little more toward a smirk. "Have you ever been around puppies? I've got three rambunctious ones that are sure to keep you distracted if you think you'll need that."