Redhawk Caldera Elementary, my dear Watson

The bird did not return Wildfire's gesture (it probably could not) so it just stared. For the moment it made no more sounds, did not fluff its feathers, or do any of the other things it often did. Jaws could see Wildfire was still very curious and wanted to play, despite having been pushed back a bit by the bird's brazen display. So he bent down and used his muzzle to gently urge the bird forward, who backpedaled before making a hop and landing on the top of Jaws' nose. As its tiny talons gripped his the sensitive flesh he winced, feeling his eyes begin to water. He tried to displace it again with his paw but it then just hopped to his paw, before finding his muzzle again as he put the paw back down. With a huff Jaws walked forward himself, the bird stubbornly perched on his snout.

As the coywolf neared the pup, he felt the gray jay's talons grip harder, and then its nerves finally activated the flight response. With a series of chirps the bird fled, off into the trees, and disappeared completely. Jaws sighed. "Sorry, Wildfire," he said, "Maybe I can get him to play another day."