braying jackass

Theory had been wandering around the woods, enjoying the peace and quiet. The trees seemed to soften any noise and the mystery of it all was a bit enchanting. She was glad that the pups had tagged along to the festival - they could certainly use a break from the ordinary. All of them could. Their wounds as a pack had just begun to heal. Although she knew that she'd never replace Shaye, she felt as if she was beginning to grow into herself just a small bit more. Inch by inch. As she walked she kept her eyes peeled for the telltale dots below the eyes of other wolves. It seemed that she was always running into "extended family" at these kind of gatherings and their reactions varied from mutual curiosity to absolute disgust. She knew now that Rhyme had been cast out for his liaisons with Shaye. Although it confused her, it had created Poem and Motif, and so she couldn't bring herself to disapprove. Her sisters were precious to her.

There! Beneath a tree Theory saw the familiar facial markings on the face of a grizzled older wolf. Unlike some elders she'd met, he seemed to be in fairly good shape beyond the typical signs of aging. Curious. Everyone that she'd met before had been much younger, closer to her own age. Did he know her father as well? She trotted closer. "Hello. Enjoying the festival?" she asked, her ears pricked with obvious interest.