Though Ara enjoyed Novel's company -- perhaps a bit too much -- she found herself spending more time with her mother as of late. After finding out she was pregnant with another litter, she was terrified for Silent's health and eager to keep her comfortable and as healthy as possible.
But she knew that her parents enjoyed their alone time as well. They were rarely willing to actually tell her to leave, so she had grown adept at reading the subtle cues that told her when she was not needed. On the previous evening, she would happily leave her parents alone, instead retreating to the familiar confines of Novel's den. It was growing to be her second home, and she delighted in the girl's easy and familiar company. She was happy to sleep at her side, content for her friend's warmth. She still felt selfish at times for being so enthralled with her; she was not just a friend, but a peer in her studies as well, someone she could go to not just for guidance but also for companionship.
The woman was slowly roused from sleep, a slight smiling teasing her lips. "Morning," she mumbled sleepily before parting her jaws in a slow yawn. The affection that they shared was growing to be quite common, and she was not afraid to return the girl's nuzzle with one of her own.
With a quick stretch she followed after Novel, finding that her parents were already at the meeting. Eagerly she greeted them both with a gentle bark before moving to settle alongside Ara. She wanted to speak with the rest of Novel's family soon -- many were familiar to her by name and appearance, but she hadn't spoken to most. A gentle smile graced her features as she waited, unsure why there was a hint of tension to the air, though she noted that Song had returned. How exciting! She felt her tail batting lightly against the earth, leaning into Novel as she felt the girl tense beside her.
