Old As Time

Lydia found herself in the east for the summer as she worked to build up her stores. Draped across her back was a dried rabbit skin that she'd been using to carry about herbs from here to her more permanent den site. It wasn't a perfect method by any means but it was good enough to get the job done. Gazing about she set a course, looking for the tall bushes that would yield her quarry, elderberries. Autumn was just around the corner and with colder weather there was likely to be an increase in colds and respiratory illnesses. She definitely didn't want to catch anything and it would compliment the yarrow well. Of course, it was difficult to hunt for the berries, with the falling ash serving as a constant distraction. She felt anxiety raising in her gut. She wanted to get the heck out of here. Even though it was unlikely the mountain would blow she couldn't help but feel that the possibility was growing with every moment she stayed there.

As she walked she kept her eyes peeled for anything else that might be of interest and as she was walking she heard a violent cough followed by sneezing and she quickly, almost instinctively, followed the sound. Lydia caught sight of another woman of a darker pelt. "Uh, hello? Excuse me, ma'am are you alright?"