Jade Fern Grove Fractals

He saw her take in his diminuitive size, and chuckled to himself. "I'm too small to be any sort of fright to the stray rabbit or squirrel," he said, tone markedly amused. Phocion flicked an ear. "In fact, I'm so close to their size that they start to trust me. Easier to hunt them, then."

All facetious, of course, but how long had it been since he had joked this way? The humor wasn't marked with the childish nature of his youth; it had instead matured into a warm, easy-going nature, just bordering--but not quite touching--sarcasm.

His black nose twitched as he inhaled deeply. A hare here, a vole there. Twitching his tail, he remarked, "There's game nearby. I suppose the hunt is on, then?"