Unlike Miksa, she hadn't yet decided on a suitable area to make her den. Up until now she had resided in the plains, sleeping upon the grass beside a small bush for cover. Originally the openness had bothered her, though she had grown used to the feeling of the warm night air buffeting her fur. Sometimes when she closed her eyes and tried to sleep, she focused on the faint melodies in the wind's gentle howls until they would sing her to slumber. But the stars were the most remarkable thing. At sundown she could begin to see them twinkle through the fiery sky, growing brighter as the world darkened. During the night they were at their most magnificent state. So many of them littered the black sky, stretching as far as the eye could see. They were all bunched up into large clusters, like someone had spilled shimmering sand onto an ebony cape. Occasionally she could spot soft smears of violet or magneta among the stars, or a star that flew across the sky like an arrow. She had never seen as much of the cosmic world as she could now. Her eyes had glimpsed a star or two from within the trees back at the falls, but the plains' sky was truly glorious.
Perhaps she didn't need a den; the stars could never bore her; there was always a new section for her eyes to explore and study. Then again, she would be needing a den for the winter months. For now the air was warm, sure to grow more humid as summer approached though that warmth wouldn't last forever. So where was she to put this winter den for hers? The plains were too open; she was bound to get cold. Well, there was always the neighbouring territory - perhaps that offered some secluded areas that could block out the cold. She hadn't yet explored the other territory, and hadn't intended to until now. Sooner or later she had to, so now was the perfect opportunity to do just that.
As she begun to make her way over, a howl belonging to a familiar canine came to her ears. Miksa had never called for her; had something happened? Was he alright? Well, she didn't hear any urgency in his call, though wouldn't waste any time arriving. After all, he was her friend, and she had to see him as quickly as possible. Am I being overly attached to him? A thought crossed her mind, making her hesitate her paw steps. She shook it aside. Of course she wasn't being overly attached! She just...wanted to see him. Yeah, that was it.
It turned out he was waiting for her in the next territory near a medium-sized lake, his alabaster pelt stained with what she thought was dirt. What had he been doing? Had he been digging? "Hi Miksa," she greeted in her usual, cheerful manner with a smile. Strangely, she felt her heart flutter against her chest in a way she hadn't yet experienced. It wasn't like the fast beating she got after a run. She hadn't ran at all today, just travelled at a casual walk. I must be imagining things, she told herself. "Have you been digging?" she inquired with a giggle, inspecting his brownish legs.
"Speech"
