The female was quiet, watching as their guest tore into the preserved meat much like a starved animal seeking the morsels of the earth. She had a mind to question just how long he had been out there, waiting without a word, but thought better of it holding his need for rest above her own inquisitions. There would be time once he was comfortable, but now was not it.
Patiently, she waited for him to digest and took a seat in front of the den as its warden. Carefully she lowered herself to lie, legs extended forward and hindlimbs tucked beneath her. Her tail too was curled beneath her heavy frame just out of sight but with its tip wiggling occasionally by the kind gust of a night wind. Her ears once back, perked forward to attention when he spoke. The straining chords suggested atrophy but a willingness to sound in compliance. The woman smiled lightly. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she extended politely then lowered her muzzle to her paws. “Take your rest now. You will be safe while you sleep… Ah,” an ear twitched with an afterthought. “If you hear a grumbling in the night, do not be afraid of it,” she chuckled. “Just prepare to find two standing at your den than just one.”
And with that word, she turned her head to watch the night. |