Alone

Her face was pressed into the cool stone wall, her legs submerged in the hot spring. She found the spot where the lava must be just below the spring. It was deep, and it was so hot it felt like it could almost burn her fur off. She didn't know how much time had gone since she walked away from him to place the medical kit away and wait for him to break the saddest news of the Col to Spider. She wanted to sit with both Spider and Bas. That might help keep his paws to himself actually... That might not be a bad idea!

She drew in her breath, dove under the water for a moment, and then swam to the edge. She pulled herself up from the water and shook her fur thoroughly. Nice and clean. Her white fur and golden markings back to a pristine shine. Let's see if she could catch them at the end of their meeting and meet them both... She got to the doorway and saw Bas slip back into the den alone, oops. The time must have slipped away from her and she couldn't see Spider anywhere.

The cold winter wind bit at her freshly bathed fur. He'd be mad if she made him wait much longer. With an inward breath, she skittered to the den and quietly entered.

Seeing him lay there curled into the tightest ball pulled the strings of her heart toward him. She pressed her forehead against the arc of his neck, letting him know she was here.

"Ignita"