Slowly but surely, Lyra was growing - though she was still so tiny. Not quite small enough to fit on Mesec’s head any longer but small enough that he still feared losing her. Small flecks of silver now were evident throughout her coat, suggesting that she wouldn’t be black for the rest of her life. While Mesec had found it curious, the small kitsune had been mortified to discover her pristine, fuzzy black kit coat was giving way to something else. She kept trying to wash off the silver patches, distressed at how funny she looked with bits of fur sticking out here and there as her adult coat grew in.

She was determined to try every single waterfall and pool of water in the Falls and refused to leave until she discovered the one that would wash off the nasty silver bits.

Though she couldn’t speak yet, she had quickly picked up on the language of Lucius and Mesec and understood when the zephyr was goading her on. For once, he was agreeing with the kitsune - she did look awful - and he happily pointed out each new spot of silver that he could spy with his silver and violet eyes as he followed her quest.

Mesec followed Lyra’s progress through the pools in the Falls with lazy steps - unwilling to let her wander too far on her own but somewhat removed from her personal crisis. He had tried to help earlier that day, only to hear her wail in distress.

The unmistakable rumble of thunder in the distance caught Mesec’s attention as he walked slowly, and his silver gaze looked off in the distance to guess at how close it was. But the darkening sky only held his attention for a brief moment, because the a flash of red side among some trees not too far away snatched his gaze.

“Sacre!” Mesec called out in greeting even as his legs were moving to bring him over to his brother in an easy trot. Lucius landed in a tree nearby - calling out a greeting of his own. Lyra was slower to follow, soaking wet from her latest attempt at a bath and feeling uttterly dejected but also curious about Mesec’s brother.

While she was still moving through the grass behind him, Mesec came to stand near Sacre - a warm smile in his silver eyes as he gestured to the plants Inari and  Ríona  were giving so much attention to. “What are you digging up?”