Faith in the heart

Her pacing was interrupting by the sound of a body crashing through grass and scrub. The little bear spun around and set herself firmly, all four sturdy legs rooted to the earth. But upon seeing what - or rather, who - was barreling towards her, she suddenly dropped to her belly, allowing the oversized pup to stumble over her back instead. Holy crap, was that monster Fable? He'd gotten huge! In a moment she was up again to return his affectionate kisses with mock growls and pretend nips, bumping against his chest and shoulders with her own as they whirled around. She was too breathless with growls and laughter to answer his questions.

She broke off the enthusiastic greeting suddenly as she spotted her father approaching. For a moment she froze, grin plastered in place as her gaze slid over him with a spark of startled surprise. Maybe it would have been less obvious to her if she'd been here to see him day after day in slow decline, but she'd left so long ago and...

He'd gotten so old.

The surprise hidden behind her enthusiasm - no less genuine but somewhat spoiled by this new knowledge, this knowledge that her parents were aging so obviously - she strode out to meet Creed right on the border, returning his hug firmly. "Hi Da! I have no idea where I've been, haha, but it was definitely not Mum's homeland. I found my way back though! You aren't mad, are you?" she asked, eyeing him searchingly though with no dimming of that air of self-assurance around her.