No space for two

Lia had been welcomed into Polaris, and now she needed to begin the ordeal of settling in. She wanted to spend some time and build something that was… hers. She wasn’t sure yet what she wanted that to look like, but she knew she wanted a cosy fire, and a herb garden around it. Something that spoke of her. She searched around Lauli Falls for a while, finding a place to call her own. Eventually, she settled on a den near the bottom of the falls. It was sheltered, and the sound of the falls was soothing. The mix of close water, shade, and sun allowed for a variety of planting as well.

She set to work cleaning out the long abandoned den. Airing it out, clearing out any debris that had been left in it or blown in from the wind. She’d eventually needed to sort out something to place over it as a door as well. Something to keep out the weather, and offer her a little more privacy. She went off looking for something suitable to use temporarily.

While she was gone, the sky darkened and rumbled, and when she trudged back with a flat board of bark, a steady rain had begun to tumble from the sky. She was wet and cool, and eager to get inside. She didn’t even have a chance to wedge the board into place before she realised something had slipped into the den while she was gone. Clearly happy to make use of the area she had cleared out, and already curled on the bedding she had placed within. She stood in the doorway, half of her body assaulted by the storm as she looked at the badger. “This isn’t yours, but I suppose we can share if you think you can tolerate it.” she suggested, a little wearily. In response the badger hissed, getting to its paws. It took a few threatening steps towards her, and Lia backed a little more out of the den. Instead of being soothed, it took offence to the motion. It lunched itself at Lia, who ducked to the side to avoid its charge. It ended up out in the rain, and started to turn back towards her again. Lia snarled, lowering her antlers and charged. She didn’t intend to hurt it, just scare it off. Her horns caught the edge of its side, and it hissed at her again, before turning and running into the night. Perhaps deciding that this den was too much work.