It takes a funeral to make you feel alive

At last Serene had returned to her home wood, and even though it was the first time she was returning without her mother, she somewhat felt okay with it. She knew Branch would be awaiting her arrival, and knowing that someone was there for her made her feel less anxious about returning. It was a long hard battle to convince herself to return home; consisting of constant traveling to escape the pain, of wandering aimlessly into new territories, meeting all sorts of strangers along the way. But at the end of the day, when she settled down against a tree or an abandoned den site, she felt the cold. She felt that cold, empty, sickening feeling that grief and lonesome gave, and she knew there would only be one place where she wouldn't feel such a feeling. Home.

So she went back to the Weeping Wood, found Branch and explored his settlement with admiration. He truly was making more of these woods, and she could almost see the life that would soon reside in them. It made her smile gratefully at the male, for giving her home life rather than the ghost of death. She had gone to see her mother's grave of course, and nearly burst into tears when she saw the flowers he had set out for her. Such a beautiful gesture. Once she had gotten her barrings, Serene gently scooped up some of her mother's soil for the ritual. She also gathered some of the Lavender she had collected along her travels, as they were Esmeralda's favorite.

Now they walked side by side, journeying to the shrine. The fawn woman had so many mixed feelings about this place; she dreaded the arrival for she knew what she had to do, but at the same time she was excited for finally, truly, lay her mother to rest. She was so lost in her own thoughts, she nearly missed his question. "Hm? Oh yes. I met a lovely female in a nook the other day, we collected Lavender and Motherwort. I also journeyed to an island recently, I never thought about herbs growing on an island, but I think we might find some very unique plants out there." She reflected back on those encounters briefly, wondering what became of the wolves she met. But then she turned back to Branch with a curious gaze. "You have made quite the home in the weeping wood, but I don't see anyone else with you. Have you recruited any pack members yet?"