Wapun Meadow Warmth

After two days, she returned to the meadow as promised. With her she carried a section of the pelt from their previous meeting, wrapped around her mystery gift.

Head tilting upwards, she let out a howl and called for @Frederick, eagerly awaiting a response from the hulk. Her tail couldn't help but wave.

She of course felt some guilt wandering from the valley - but it would survive her absence. She had marked before she departed, secured their goods.

Two suns had set, two days of loafing about as he somewhat impatiently passed the time, waiting for his return to the meadow, to check up on his spruce-swathed friend. He trudged along at an even pace. However, when a howl rode along the winds towards his now perked ears, Frederick hurried his pace, trotting, quickly now, to the meadow. Her small figure was a dot on the horizon, and a smile grew as his tail swayed back and forth.

As he went, he matched her howl with his own, bringing his muzzle upwards as it escaped him. Low, echoing, he hoped she knew that it was conformation of his arrival. His paws carried him, white and thunderous, as he went. Milan! Frederick called, once he was close enough to be within her range. He noticed the deer pelt from the kill, and wondered what it was doing here. He came to a stop once he was a tails length away from her. If she'd allow, he'd move closer, sniffing at her nose in an affectionate greeting.

How have you been? The valley's been treating you well, I hope?

Excitement washed over as a familiar voice responded, the thundering cloud of a man soon coming over the hills to meet her. "Frederick!" She responded in greeting, his sniff met with a gentle butt of her head.

"Yes, it's quite peaceful. Exactly what I've been looking for." She nearly glowed as she spoke of the valley, prideful in her protection of it. "And the creek? Are you happy there?"

She was rather curious of the man's experience with the creek wolves, and - while she would not voice such greed - if he would consider returning to the valley with her when he was done there, or if he wished to stay.

the thread with swiftcurrent hasn't happened yet so i'm just going to be vague about that haha

He was filled with warmth at her happiness, a feeling he knew to be empathy--the good kind. She asked him of the creek, and Frederick rosed his brows, somewhat surprised (and honoured) that she remembered. It's been good, he said, But I have to admit, being patient has been difficult. Frederick spoke with a tone of quiet humour, a smile upon his face as he looked down at her.

And the pelt, he said, raising a paw to point at it. You still have it, I see? Well, a portion. Why've you brought it, may I ask?

Right - the pelt! She nearly forgot. Her left forepaw lifting, she pushed it towards the man. "It's carrying a gift. I wanted to give you something in return for last time."

There was a clear look of excitement on Milan's doe-eyed face. Whatever was wrapped inside the pelt she had put clear care into. She liked Frederick, and she wished to show him that.

"Open it!" She instructed, a grin spreading across her muzzle.

Frederick's eyes widened. A gift? He murmured. He almost felt guilty--he in no way wanted to make the lady feel like she was required to get him something. He thought she'd be hungry, so he hunted for her, and that was that. Frederick wanted to say: you didn't have to, but the look of excitement on her face wouldn't let him.

Yes, ma'am. The snow-pelted man chuckled, using his paws to carefully, tactfully, move away the pelt. He was slow, looking back at Milan every now and then as he went. The expression on his face was priceless, and he matched her grin as his tail wagged behind him.

Inside was a pendant carefully packed with fragrant flowers. Deer hide carefully stripped and cut had been weaved into a long necklace to sit comfortably around the man's neck. Fanged teeth hung, all slightly different yet strategically placed in a pattern.

"Do you like it?" She asked, her tail raising as it waved. "I thought it would make you look tough!" Milan felt rather proud of herself.

She had collected the pieces on the her patrols, prepared the hide in her free time, and put it together before she slept. This was the part of home she had missed.

im gonna cry she's so sweet

The flowers reached Frederick's nose before his eyes could perceive it, but when the scent evened out he looked over the gift. It was a necklace, he realised. One of deer hide, fangs, and the prettiest of petals. He looked up at Milan with a wide, almost goofy smile. I love it, he confirmed. Will you help me put it on?

Lowering himself down onto his rump, he nudged the necklace towards the woman, looking straight so that she could bring it upwards around his head. Then, when it fell around his neck, Frederick would wear it with pride. Even now, his eyes were twinkling.