The grass tickled her sides as she pushed through it her small paws parting the green in uneven steps. Adrestia had been tracking the scent for a while now her head hung low, nose working hard the way she’d seen the older hunters do. She didn’t move as quietly as they did though, but she tried placing each paw with careful intent her shoulders tight with focus.

There.

Her ears pricked forward as she spotted the pale shape ahead, stretched out in the sunlight like something soft and unguarded. For a moment she just watched the slow sway of the others tail, The way they looked… at peace. Adrestia’s nose wrinkled at the idea. How could she just lay there like that?

A twig snapped under her paw causing her to freeze suddenly.

But instead of retreating she puffed up a little lifting her chin as if she meant to be heard. She stepped out from the grass with judgmental blue eyes upon the other, Someone could sneak up on you easy like that.

—

Adrestia studied her with judgmental eyes, sanding her ground her paws pressing a little firmer into the dirt. "Well don't you worry, I can take care of myself." And when the other shows off the girls ears twitched, trying not to look impressed. Tried. Her gaze flicked over those muscles quickly studying them before her chin lifted stubborn pride snapping back into place.

Yeah, she muttered, like she’d already known that. You look like you can even if she couldn't, that wasn't her problem.

"What's your name, little one? My name's Snuh." When Snuh leaned closer, Adrestia held still at first her shoulders stiffening before her mind locked onto those words, little one she wrinkled her nose. …Adrestia, she said after a second, And I'm not little Her tail emphasized this with a small, defiant flick behind her.

There was a pause something awkward and stretching. Then her eyes narrowed just a bit again, searching Snuh’s face like she was trying to figure something out.

You don’t act like Jakten, she added bluntly Why are you smiling? That seemed suspicious.

Adrestia shifted her weight glancing off for a second before looking back, something restless creeping into her posture and she edged just a step closer before asking with a wicked smirk …You fight?

—

"You are certainly looking like you're going to be getting big very quickly Adrestia" her red ears flicked at this, chest lifting a little as pride snuck into her entire demeanor. I know, she said quickly, My mom and dad are Nyra and Jaxxon as if that made it obvious as to why she was so impressive.

"Ah, well you see, I've reunited with family here in Jakten. As soon as I found my sister living here, I joined without hesitation." her blue gaze lingered on Snuh at this, something quieter sneaking into her expression, but it didn't last, and she didn't ask more only giving a small nod. Family mattered, that was all she needed to know.

But the second Snuh puffed up, Adrestia's composure cracked as she lit back up. "I certainly can. I've fought in many fights and came out victorious many times." her stance shifted, brow rising with curiosity. "Do you think the mighty Adrestia can defeat me?!" she lowered her front, back legs braced and her tail stiff over her back. I know I can! she announced.

And then she launched.

It was fast, all stubborn determination and too much force packed into her small body. She aimed right for Snuh's front, paws reaching to collide and shove her jaws opening in a mock bite that had just enough restraint to keep it playful.

—

"Oh no! You've got me!" She hit the wall of fur with all the confidence of a seasoned warrior, disappearing into Snuh's neck fluff, and for one glorious second she was convinced she'd won. Until the nosing, the tickling.

A sharp gasp burst out of her before she could stop it, followed by an offended little snort as she twisted beneath the attention Hey—! the word broke apart between the laughter she did not mean to let escape. Her legs kicking uselessly against the grass as Snuh’s paw landed atop her head. "I shall be victorious!"

Her stormy eyes narrowed instantly ears flattening as she wriggled beneath the paw with all the fierce outrage a pup could muster. That’s not fair! she barked, though her tail had begun betraying her entirely now, thumping wildly against the ground. She shoved upward with a grunt, trying to force her way free tiny jaws snapping harmlessly at the air near Snuh's chin.

—