Swiftcurrent Creek i'm in your back pocket, take me out when you get curious

he had tensed in response to her touch, but as her small pawpad moved over his nose, as her curious crooning began, and the seadark blue of her eyes met his, the man found himself uncoiling. mahler fit himself more comfortably against the ground, now vulnerable to any punishment that might catch him unawares.
the natural cadence of his blinking slowed, as he did not wish to frighten her, the gargoyle studied the downy contours of her face, remembering with faint uneasiness how his sons had been; curious. and his daughter. perhaps had she lived —
swiftly pulling his mind away from the treacherous pathways that dipped into such a specific hall of memory, the dappled creature lifted his muzzle slightly to scent the child's crown. the sun had grown warm upon his dark flanks — mahler remained helplessly enthralled, and his plume began to sweep across the ground behind him.