Big Salmon Lake hateraid

Their dance was awkward and unrefined. He knew little of the ways of friendship or even how to greet strangers. His mother always cautioned him against wandering the borders alone. But now he was here, far beyond her reach, and it was up to him alone to make it or break it. She seemed receptive to him; her neutral interest was suddenly broken by a dip into a bow, and she slapped the ground with her paws only to surge forward and further close the gap between them.

He extended his neck and reached out when she drew close—his tail twitched, and his ears trembled atop his head. Rian's gaze betrayed the anxiety lingering beneath his obvious curiousity. The barest tremor was evident in the corded muscle lashed across his shoulder, and the barest hint of white appeared at the edges of his jade eyes. He inched his nose closer, and closer, but she suddenly darted away again like a sprite flitting amongst the shadows. 

Rian startled and drew away, craining his neck high and lending her a look of confusion and suspicion. The coltish boy lowered his head again and repeated the previous motion of sniffing at the prints she left behind, while remaining fixated on her. His ears slicked back and he whined softly, unable to find words for the unusual emotions he felt.