With the Bonfire Festival underway, Audra looked up at the flickering flames. Reaching high to the sky in an array of sparkling colors, she was happy to be here. Happy to be home. Once upon a time, she had wished to not reside within the Hallows pack. Having convinced herself that she didn't belong here, it had been foolish of her to go. The journey she had experienced in the north after her departure had been eye-opening. Learning her lesson, she had returned swiftly and now sat amongst friends and what she now considered family.

This time though she sat off to the side. A certain someone sitting beside her, Audra was fine with the distance. Not in the way of anyone else but close enough to feel the warmth of the bonfire, she made sure to look every few moments at Gloom. Also keeping an eye out for any rambunctious puppies that might roll themselves too close, Audra laid down in the grass to get more comfortable and create a better barrier between the crowd and Gloom. "Are y-you enjoying th-the f-fire?" Her voice is soft and quiet, barely heard over the roar of the flames. She wanted nothing more than to ensure that Gloom was comfortable and having somewhat of a good time. Audra understood that Gloom didn't belong to the Hallows, that she would have to eventually make her way home, but for now, she would at least make sure her time recovering was a good one.

A U D R A

This was nice. Gloom wasn't exactly relaxed but being right beside Audra had helped her to keep herself from devolving into full-blown panic. It was strange, how fast the fact she'd been forced to rely on another had forced her to become comfortable with them. She thought idly of her brothers, were they alright? She and Spirit had become pretty co-dependent and being far from him did make her heart ache, but she knew she couldn't risk the trip back up just yet.

Audra shifted herself and the rest of the pack fell away behind the earthen woman's form and almost instantly Gloom felt her anxiety flag more. She visibly uncoiled slightly, her ears which had been at attention, settled slightly and she allowed herself to settle more into her position laying on the ground. "I am." She said softly, searching out Audra's eyes, she'd spent so much time watching the woman, observing the things that seemed to bring her joy, this fire, this festival had been among them. "It's very nice, feels like the pack really is a family." it was a genuine feeling, her own discomfort didn't take away from the vibe she'd been able to pick up. It made her sad in a way... Her family pack hadn't felt like this, shouldn't it have? There was a sort of melancholy to her words.

"talking"

Image by SugarPhlox

The thing about Audra is that she tried her best. Even if she wasn't the best at things, she would try. As small as she was, she was determined to protect Gloom from the extroverted nature of the gathering. She understood very well how overwhelming and anxious it could make someone. To be in a foreign land around foreign strangers and forced to immerse yourself with them. It was hard and while Audra noticed Gloom's tense posture, she didn't blame her for it. She would feel better when Gloom relaxed and started to enjoy herself, but she also wouldn't push it. Time heals every wound, she knew that. A warm smile drifted over her lips as Gloom mentioned that the pack really appeared to be a family. "Artorias w-works very h-hard to include everyone," Audra responds as she casts a glance over her shoulder to the group. It was obvious that everyone was having a grand time and the festival was going off without a hitch. "Is y-your home similar? Ashen, c-correct?" Her attention turns back to the woman as she tilts her head slightly to the side. Ashen was one of the few packs she had yet to visit yet although she found it interesting to see how other groups lived compared to her own.