[Orb] 1st Great Heat's Beginning. Midmorning.

[golden_moon]

[A new face in the orb. Hair falls into her face, and she pushes it back, lowering the orb, and showing the top of a light, blue dress. Behind her, some might recognize a side room in the castle. She presses her lips together, and then looks into the Orb.]

Well. What a fine place to find myself, isn't it? I ain't been inside a castle for a long time, and now I get to live in one. Can't really complain about that, now, can I?

[The hint of a smile touches her lips, and she glances off to the side.]

The older gentleman who greeted me had quite a story about the state of things, and the others brought in to do something about it.

[Without hurry, her gaze settles back onto the orb.]

I'll have to admit, whatever I might have seen, I still ain't sure I'm really scared at the thought of a few weeds. How bad is it, really?

Comments

[golden_moon]

Don't they try to bite you?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Confident, cocky smile.]

Try.

[golden_moon]

[She can't help grinning back. Kid, she likes you already.]

Sounds like you really are good at hunting squirrels, then.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Am! Getting better at rabbits, too. Rabbits fast. Can kill with knives, catching alive harder.

[Seriously, lady. You want a squirrel? He can get you a squirrel!]

[golden_moon]

Well, practice makes perfect. I got pretty good at catching monkies, once.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Monkies!?

[His eyes widen. This is amazing! You are the coolest person he's talked to on the orb today!]

[golden_moon]

There weren't many squirrels in the rainforest. And we were hungry.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[He nods wisely.]

When hungry, have to hunt. Monkies tasty?

[golden_moon]

You know, it was. Cooked it over a fire. Probably better seasoned a little, but I ain't picky about my food.

I'm Selene, sweetie. What's your name?

[She didn't quite catch the third person thing...]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Am Faolan! Good boy! Help friends!

[golden_moon]

I hope we can be friends, then. Especially since I don't know hardly anyone around here at all. Do you have...family, here?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Yes! Hawk and Snow here! And Loki and Gretel and Giles and GInia and Kay and everyone! New pack!

[golden_moon]

'Pack'?

[Suddenly, she doesn't seem quite so friendly.]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[He, of course, is oblivious to this.]

Yes! New pack! Pack of heroes! Old pack is gone, so Faolan has a new one.

[golden_moon]

Heroes? You mean people who have been brought here?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Yes! Lots of good people for pack. Lots of family for Faolan to love!

[golden_moon]

Faolin, sweetie. At least one of your pack spends a lot of time in the castle, doesn't he?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

People everywhere! Which he?

[golden_moon]

I ain't rightly sure. Thought I caught scent from a wolf in the room with the old man.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Is a wolf in castle! Alayna has a wolf! Faolan likes Lady!

[golden_moon]

Really? Well that's something else, isn't it?

[She takes a breath.]

I'm afraid I don't really have a pack, anymore. I hope you know how lucky you are.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[This is the saddest thing he's heard in the last ten minutes,]

Can be part of Faolan's pack? Should have pack!

[golden_moon]

Oh, darling, shouldn't I meet them before you say that?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Why? [Yes, he is really this innocent.]

[golden_moon]

What if they don't care for me?