All things considered, Bella was a boisterous, growing girl. One of energy and pride and a knack—no, love—for adventure. She loved her home tucked within the mountains and saddled beside the whispering trees of a misty forest. But the North? With its high-reaching peaks of stone, its colorful sky draped in the most vibrant colors of a withering sunset, and the air that felt as raw and crisp as she had ever tasted before…well, she wondered if she liked it even more.

Her tail remained high, flagged, as she pranced through the snow and ice and took the lead among all those who walked behind.

The Northfall wolves smelled funny, their scents mingled with the sharpness of snow. But Bella paid it little mind as she explored the area with as much gusto and passion as a growing detective. She wanted to know all, learn all, and inevitably see all. Besides, one could never be too sure what information would be helpful to collect.

Yet, in her rounds, she could not help but notice the Saint’s wolf who remained timid despite the excitement that cheered around her.

That was no good.

Some would even mutter that one of theirs was showing weakness.

Ambling forward with a hop to her step, Bella decided to take it upon herself to fix that frown and turn it upside down.

Hey! She called out as her hops cut the distance, You! She didn’t know her name.

Truthfully, Bella knew very little names of those she was supposed to know.

It all felt like useless clutter in her brain.

Why does your face look like that? She asked outright as her steps came to a quiet stop before the older woman. With a head tilted, she stared, blinked and gawked.

The woman looked sad, and being sad was not okay.