Most of the pack had relocated to the rapids after the fire, Theory included. Her burnt paws and singed tail were mostly healed, but she still walked with a bit of a hobble. It was embarrassing, and she tried desperately to hide it. She wished that she hadn't been hurt so that she could help more, or that she'd been hurt worse and been able to help someone during the fire. Theo still felt the coward's sting of failure, no matter how many times Shaye and Rhyme assured her that she had done all she could.
Nearby, Alouette fluttered through the branches. Theory had already become close with her companion. Since she was in self-imposed exile due to her frustration, they had bonded quite quickly. Although her successful spar against Rhyme had briefly inflated her ego, Theo was back to moping around.
As she dipped her paws in the shallows, thoroughly enjoying the cool water, she spotted the familiar figure of Poem further down the stream. Her short tail twitched happily - although they weren't littermates, Theory felt a special bond with Poem and was excited to show her that she'd also been chosen by one of the young ravens that lived above Rhyme's den. She trumpeted a call to her and picked up at a brisk trot to close the distance.
Although she was still a bit bent out of shape, she yipped softly and bumped her nose against Poem's cheek, if her sister would let her. "How are you? Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
They hadn't yet had a chance to speak closely since the fire, as Theory had been undergoing close monitoring by a healer. "Oh... and...." From above, Alouette soared down to perch on top of Theory's head, her second-favorite place to sit. Theo grumbled and bowed her head under the weight, but she was grinning wide.
Fertile
