that thieving bastard

Vanta smiled softly at Lia's admission. "I still have much to learn, too." She replied. "And we'll do it together."

Lia's teasing pat and promise brought a light chuckle from Vanta. "I'll hold you to that." she said playfully. As Lia left her paw near Vanta's and closed her eyes, a sense of peace seemed to settle over the prairie. The comfort and trust the woman displayed was rare and precious, and Vanta had to consciously push back down the powerful urge to protect that immediately followed. She did not want to suffocate her new friend with the protective streak she had clearly inherited. Thanks, dad.

"Tomorrow-" Vanta murmured, her voice a quiet, comforting sound in the night. "-we'll start our crusade. The two of us can't do it alone, we'll need to find others.." Weariness drew her eyes to slide shut, her words becoming slurred as her sleepy jaws decided the effort of proper enunciation was just too much.

- sleeps -

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Vanta awoke to find Lia cuddled up against her, their bodies entwined in the comfort of shared warmth and companionship. The smaller wolf had nestled into the crook of her neck, her breath warm and steady against Vanta's fur. For a few precious moments, Vanta lay still, enjoying the peacefulness of the scene - admiring the way the early morning light played across Lia's features and softened the scars of her past.

As Lia stirred, Vanta offered her a warm smile. "Morning." She said softly. "I hope you slept as well as I did."