Little birds have to jump out of the nest if they're going to fly

[humsthemelody]

[She didn't actually get nervous until they'd passed Ohio. The next step marked the furthest from home she'd ever been. She trusted Freya, at least somewhat, but home wasn't a place, a concept really was what it was. Home was her family, and she was leaving it on the other side of the country. It was terrifying, but she was equally excited, since she was seeing things she'd never had a chance to see before.

The country changed as they made their way across it, and as they neared the mountainous and wide-open country of Montana, she was in awe. It was just like every postcard she'd ever seen, and she was having a hard time thinking it was real.]

....it's so beautiful...

Comments

[luckyescape]

[Freya rolls her shoulders back before stretching her arms up over her head. A soft groan shakes her thin frame as she inhales the fresh air.]

Right? I forgot how much I've missed this.

[This is the first time she's been back to Montana since her parents death. It isn't heart breaking or upsetting, just strange. Stormy gray eyes turn to look at Cat with a warm smile.]

We're almost at the boundary. Once we reach the boundary it won't be long before they realize I'm here. [She probably should have called first.]

[humsthemelody]

[Cat can't pull her brown eyes from the horizon, at least not at first, then she looks over to the other wolf, her first real friend outside her family, and looks worried.]

Oh...is it okay if we're here and they don't know?

[luckyescape]

[Freya doesn't look concerned.]

Yeah.

[She steps quickly forward, with a mixture of excitement and nervousness turning in her stomach. She hasn't been home in twenty years and she's been assumed dead. She isn't sure she wants to meet her Aunt but she hopes to see some of her cousins.

Passing into his territory made Freya pause.]

Wait. I didn't know he claimed this area.

[Freya glances back at Cat before shrugging and stepping forward.]

[humsthemelody]

[She looks confused, looking over to Freya.]

Wait...he who?

[were_ranger]

He... He's here.

[Freya interrupts herself with a smile. A jeep rumbles in the distance as Freya pulls Cat towards the side of the road. She stops walking and just watches as the car rolls to a stop in front of them. This is the last thing David expected today.

He jumps from his car and tosses his ranger hat on the passenger seat.]

Freya? [A deep voice rumbles from his chest filled with disbelief and confusion. Freya smiles sheepishly, secretly happy to see him after all this time.]

Hiya.

[David gives her a look that suggests that her greeting isn't enough. He steps forward and wraps his arms around Freya, pulling her off the ground for a moment before placing her lightly on her toes.]

I can't believe you're here... [He glances over at Cat before clearing his throat awkwardly.] With a friend. I'm still working. [He states this as if it isn't obvious.]

You need to head straight to moms. Got it? I'm going to tell her you're coming and send someone to pick you two up.

[humsthemelody]

[When the park ranger steps out of his vehicle, her first thought is how hot he is, and then she finds her feet and listens to the rest while her hands move to her hair and she swallows. This, aside from Freya and Cas, marks the first wolf she's ever met she wasn't related to, she's not even sure this qualifies as meeting him.

Suddenly, she feels swept up in something bigger than she anticipated and she can't find her voice.

His eyes are brilliantly blue, though. That she'll remember. His name badge is on his uniform shirt. Vaughn was all it said, though, meaning he's related to Freya...but that was obvious without the name plate.]

[luckyescape]

[Freya is happy to his David though she does not appreciate his command. At the same time she can't really argue, it isn't as if Rebecca won't find out and if she attempts to keep her presence here a secret then only more trouble will follow. When David finally pulls away she fixes her hair and shirt before looking up at him.]

yeah yeah, what? You aren't giving us a ride?

[David smirks before walking back to his jeep.]

I'm still working. I'll see you tonight Freya.

[He looks over towards Cat and nods though he doubts she see since her eyes are so pointedly directed on the ground. With that he's heading towards his car and driving away. Freya releases a long breath when he's out of sight.]

That... actually went pretty well. [She turns towards Cat and smiles.] See, easy... have you been looking down this whole time?

[humsthemelody]

[Throughout their short conversation, Cat had, indeed kept her eyes down, not looking up until the jeep was moving on down the road. She nodded at Freya's question, her cheeks still warm.

She swallowed.]

So...who was that?

[luckyescape]

Huh? David? He's one of my cousins. He's alright though he's sorta like nature boy to the extreme. I guess it isn't surprising that he claimed territory close to home but damn I think he claimed more than his dad did.

[Freya shrugs and waves to Cat.]

If we're lucky Stephanie or Richard will pick us up.

[Except she doesn't know if either are still around.]

Let's keep walking.

[She leads the way, her eyes studying Cat.]

Are you interested in David? [Freya wouldn't get why, it isn't as if she's spoken to him.]

[humsthemelody]

What's wrong with that? [It's an honest question. Nature is awesome, okay.]

And...how are Stephanie and Richard?

[She nods and starts after Freya.]

I...I don't know. I just...he's really hot...I don't even know him.

[luckyescape]

Nothing. It's just... I don't know. I never got it. He can talk about one plant for hours. [She remembers that much when she was younger.

When Cat asks about her other cousins ages she has to count it out on her fingers. How long has she been away?]

Stephanie would be early thirties now and Richard mid thirties? I think.

[She almost trips, looking back at Cat.]

Wait, back up. You think David is hot? You barely looked at him.

[humsthemelody]

...that's really cool. [She swallows. So could she.] You know, there's this plant in the rainforest in Africa that smells like rotting meat? It's called a Refeggia...or...something like that.

[She nods. So, they're like her brothers' and sisters' ages.]

Um...yes I did. He has bright blue eyes and a really cute smile...

[luckyescape]

I did know that. [Freya smiles at Cat for a moment before turning her head forward. She wonders how long it will take David to notify everyone that they are here. Not that she minds walking but she's a little hungry.]

Well you're just going to have to get to know him.

[That's what Freya usually did when she met an unclaimed male, though her luck might not be as good as Cat's.]

[humsthemelody]

[She smiles. Nature is cool, okay?]

I...is that okay?

[luckyescape]

[Freya laughs while stretching her arms up and above her head. She wants to run as wolf but considering David said he's send someone that's probably not the best idea.]

Of course it is. [Cat's too sweet and Freya knows that David's a good guy, even if she hasn't seen him in ten years. He'd always help her and taught her a bunch about being a wolf.]

Why wouldn't it be. [She winks at Cat.] It's up to us females to see if any guy is up to snuff.

[About a half hour to an hour more of walking and they'll begin to hear a rumbling up the road as another car makes it's way towards them.]

[humsthemelody]

Yeah, but... [Cat trailed off, then. Sure, it was up to them, but her family had done such terrible things to Freya's, she wondered if that meant anything.

She lapsed into looking around. The area was probably the most beautiful place she'd ever seen, and the smells were intoxicating. All this area belonged to David, her nose told her that, but the trees, and the rivers, and the animals spoke for themselves, too. It was...amazing.

She started from her reverie when she heard the car coming.]

...is that our ride?

[luckyescape]

[Freya watches Cat for a moment, her eyebrow raised.]

I know what you're probably thinking and don't worry about it. [She has no idea of Kevin told Cat that she knew about Toby and their shared past or not.]

Yes it is!

RICHARD!

[Freya steps into the road waving her arms in the air while a bright grin stretches across her face. Even ten years later she knows the face of her cousin. The car rolls to a stop and the gruff young man steps out to give Freya a warm hug and a bright smile.]

We're so happy to see that you're okay Freya. [They had hoped since they never found her body.

Richard turns to Cat with the same warm smile.]

You're a friend of Freya's I assume. It's wonderful to meet you miss. I'm Richard, her cousin. I'm here to give you both a ride to Aunt Rebecca's.

[Freya punches Richard lightly on the arm.]

I thought she liked being called Rebecca because Aunt made her feel old. Hey! You're going to catch me up right? It's been at least ten years.

[humsthemelody]

[It's very rare that Cat find someone she immediately feels comfortable around, but Richard is one of them. It's something to do with that honest smile of his, and the fact that he acknowledged her to spite everything.

She looks up, smiling.] It's nice to meet you, Richard. I'm Cat.

[luckyescape]

[He looks between the two of them noting the lack of stuff between them.]

I'd offer to help with your bags but... did you really walk all this way with only backpacks? [Freya smiles and then lightly pats Richard on the bicep.]

Yup and you can definitely carry it.

[She slips off her backpack and hands it to him with a smile. Richard turns to Cat and offers a hand.]

I can get yours too

[humsthemelody]

[Cat follows suit and sheds her backpack to hand it to Richard.]

Thanks! I...hope it's okay I tagged along.

It's my pleasure, and the more the merrier.

[Richard takes her pack dutifully, placing them in the backseat gently before holding open the door.]

We should get going.

[luckyescape]

[Freya slides into the back seat giving Cat the front seat.]

Sweet. Um... how fair is it from here?

I don't remember the last time we've eaten.

[She grins at Richard who just smiles.]

We'll stop and get you a snack. You hungry too Cat?

[humsthemelody]

[He looks over to him, giving him that same friendly smile before looking back out the window. It was beautiful here.]

Yeah, I am, sort of. [She felt relaxed, comfortable, with this male. He was probably the nicest person she's ever met.]

[Richard nods, looking back to the road.]

Then that's what we'll do.

[luckyescape]

Wait...

[Freya leans forward so that she's speaking between Richard and Cat.]

Won't Rebecca get angry if we detour?

[Richard chuckles softly.]

I didn't say where we were going to get food. If we have signal email her and let her know we're on the way.

[humsthemelody]

[Richard mentioning signal made Cat think of her own phone and she pulled it from her pocket, frowning as she unlocked the screen and saw the red X on the tower.]

Well, I don't.

[Crap. It'd been a while since she'd spoken to Toby, at more than 24 hours at least, and he was probably worried.]

When does the signal usually kick in?

[Richard chuckled again.] Not this far from town. Don't worry, we'll be there soon.

[luckyescape]

Only in town.

[Freya informs Cat with a smile.]

The charms of Montana. So, you gonna fill me in?

[Richard smiles.]

If Cat doesn't mind.

[Freya rolls her eyes.]

I'm sure she doesn't. Pleeeease. Rebecca is only going to yell at me for being away for so long without even writing... [She might as well get some headway on what's changed.]