<div class="floatright">(http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt357/Niferbelle/my%20avatars/lucretzia42_zpsff4a18be.jpg)</div>As would be expected by any young mouse embarking on her first patrol Lucretzia was both nervous and excited as she prepared to set out with the others though she tried not to let her state interfere with her duties. She'd read everything she could on scent markings and had even sought out scientists among the guard to ask for advice and on the day they set out she felt she was as ready as anyone could be who had yet to be in the field. She welcomed the new experiences and the knowledge to be gained from them but part of her feared she would not stand up well to the physical hardships of patrol though she was determined to make a good showing of herself for the sake of her own reputation and that of her family's. The scent marker must be laid properly, there was no room for failure or even lack of precision.<br/><br/>Her trusty beetle companion Skitter ended up taking the brunt of the nervousness she tried to keep from the other and she fussed at him until he became peevish and would wave his antennae wildly whenever she approached. Still, whatever light load she might ask him to carry or drag he did so without balking and was more than happy to allow her to buff his carapace each evening when they made camp. Soon she fell into the rhythm of the journey and found herself relaxing, her innate curiosity in the face of all the new sights overriding her concerns about her performance. She treated both older mice with the respect they were do but that did not mean she did not argue a point she felt needed arguing but for the most part her demeanor was stoic and focused once she had a couple days in. When Marlie inquired about Lucretzia's opinion on the weather, the younger mouse's eyes shone a bit brighter in enthusiasm and Lucretzia fished a journal out of her pack.<br/><br/>"In addition to Skitter being a fine companion, I find all sorts of clues to my surroundings in his appearance and behavior. I have been noting both since first I acquired him," she explained. She spent a few moments leafing through the pages and occasionally glancing up at her beetle friend, considering him. She made a few noncommittal noises as she looked for correlation then suddenly was nodding. "Yes...I would say that I would expect the weather to remain cool though I'm afraid I can't make any predictions regarding precipitation. "<br/><br/>She would go on to show both Marlie and George the observations that had lead her to that conclusion and go on about it at great length...or at least as long as they would tolerate.<br/>