Hands Of Gold

There was something about the willows that brought her comfort. It wasn't quite the forest she'd once called home--the brush through these parts was far, far different--but it provided the same shade, the same serenity that any forest did, and at this moment, that was really what Karine needed: a sense of security and familiarity when she hadn't had any in quite some time.

And, of course, a place to forage. Winter was still going strong, which meant she was bound to find little, but that didn't at all discourage Karine. She'd made do during harsher times of year. All she needed to do was throw away any expectations of what she would find; after all, one couldn't be too picky while pickings were slim.

Still, overall, she moved with purpose, padding carefully over dead grass and frozen and sodden ground, her eyes trained on every sprout and sprig that stuck out from the snow.

"