Blacktail Deer Plateau Fire away

"I don't have the attention span for stories," he quipped, "but when the tots are old enough to listen to some, I'll be in the audience as well. I'm sure I don't need to tell you to keep them family-friendly, with a good lesson built into them." His lips parted in a panting laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, which remained dark and troubled.

"Truthfully, the plateau hasn't been around long enough to have much history or any really good stories yet. But those same pups who'll listen to your stories, they'll be the ones creating our story. They're our future. And if I have anything to do with it, their childhoods are going to be full of adventure," Peregrine mused, getting a little off-subject, albeit unabashedly.

"Speaking of the minis," he said after a long beat of silence in which he stared off into space, "would you like to come by the den and visit? Ty's and Junior's eyes opened this morning." His black tail waved and, this time, his smile did reach his eyes.