Valeria let out a quiet sigh. Of course he'd like her collar, she mused. Another little insight into his personality... well, that didn't matter now. She wasn't the one wearing it, and if Umbre wanted to wear that heavy thing it was her call. What she wanted to know was what was in Adrian's mystery box. Whatever it was, her mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that it had to be bad.<br/><br/>Umbre smiled softly as Adrian gave her a little pet. It comforted her, reminded her that he could be caring when called for. She glanced at Valeria out of the corner of her eyes, a little smirk forming. See, Vale? I told you so. Valeria glowered back.<br/><br/>The pair followed him out of the city. Valeria was happy to be outdoors again, but deep inside she felt a longing, as she looked off into the wilderness in the distance. She wanted to be out there again, not chained to this man. Hearing the birds chirping, sleeping in the sweet forest air.... Umbre nudged her back to attention as Adrian began giving out his instructions.<br/><br/>Once he was finished, Umbre immediately took Valeria by the arm, saying "Come on, Vale! I bet I can outlast you!"<br/><br/>"What are you..." Valeria stuttered, just as Umbre took off, and she quickly ran off after her. "This isn't a game!"<br/><br/>"Why can't it be? Cheer up! We're out in the wilderness, running around... it's just like when we were kids!"<br/><br/>Valeria growled in response. "We're not kids any more, Umbre. We're Adrian's tools. It's like Obdura said...."<br/><br/>"I know you saw how he treated me. Kindly."<br/><br/>"That may be, but...." She sighed and dropped the conversation. There was no way she was going to get through to her like this. She needed to bring his real nature to light... or had Umbre already seen it, and she was afraid of it? She'd find out, one way or the other.<br/><br/>Wild life had toughened the pair up; both Valeria and Umbre were fit, but it soon became clear that they weren't quite equal. Valeria seemed to be the faster of the two, easily taking a lead on her sister, but she just didn't have the stamina to keep it up. She soon found herself trailing behind, sweat matting her fur but making her leaves glisten in the light. After one more set of pushups, she muttered "I should have eaten more..." before letting herself collapse in the grass, completely exhausted.<br/><br/>Umbre did one more round than her sister, finishing her push-ups and plopping down next to Valeria. She might have been able to run more, but she wasn't sure at all if she'd actually be able to finish even one lap. "See?" she panted, giving Valeria a smile. "This is just like being free, just like our old lives, isn't it? Running around, chasing each other, play-fighting..."<br/><br/>Valeria didn't respond.