Hushed Willows The keeper of this host

A soft plink! caused Tambourine to freeze where he stood, head cocked endearingly as he wondered at this new phenomenon: sound. His pale blue eyes scanned the dim interior of The Crook, searching for a source. The noise did not come again, though something cold and wet suddenly dropped atop the little boy's head. He peeped in surprise, craning his tiny neck to look up at the ceiling and falling haphazardly onto his small haunches. A third drop of condensation fell, this time grazing his soft gray cheek and causing Tambourine to make a noise somewhere between a giggle and a snort: a giggle-snort.

Then a shadow played across his small figure and the pup glanced in the direction of the cavern's primary entry. His mother, Tavi, stood in sharp relief against the backdrop of the white sky beyond. Tambourine's tongue lolled from his mouth in a boyish grin as he somewhat gracelessly bounced onto his feet and did his best to totter over toward her. His soft ear flaps bounced and his thin, whip-like tail flicked with every ungainly step.