Redhawk Caldera Elementary, my dear Watson

Jaws confirmed that the bird was gone and the child frowned. Something about the male's chuckle caused her lips to twitch, though, and she let out a soft giggle. "Tit?" she asked, simply trying to mimic him. She hadn't understood the whole sentence itself. If she had—and if she'd been able to speak properly—Wildfire would have enthusiastically ensured everyone that she definitely didn't want to eat the gray jay. She just wanted to befriend it!

Alas, it wasn't meant to be for now. With a sigh, the pup sank against her mother's leg. Fox, sensing that the little diversion had worked in tiring out the energetic youth, licked her ears again and coaxed her onto her feet. "Let's head back," she said and Wildfire reacted to the motion of her dam's body more than to the words, rising and following the Alpha female as she began to retreat toward the den. "Night, Jaws."

As they passed Jaws, Wildfire grinned up at him and waved her black tail. "B'dee!" she said to him. She then scurried after her mother, bumping into Fox's heels as they trotted slowly through the dark air. When they reached the den, its dark mouth swallowed them, their bright red coats vanishing like the flame of a snuffed candle.