Sheepeater Cliff -- ᴏᴀᴛʜʙᴏᴜɴᴅ

He waits.

It is long enough that he begins to believe that nobody is coming, that he should move on... yet he knows that there are a million variables between himself and company.

He has almost stopped looking for her when suddenly he hears his name cried out, guard hairs standing erect, quivering as she makes to touch him and then laying flat once more when she stops herself. He rumbles and reveals a crooked grin, his silken tail giving a single wag in response to her greeting.  Miyako, he returns, cocking his chin up at her.

He wonders why she is so glad to see him.  Most people would rather be rid of him, his pompous demeanor and callous attitude turned them away, but she came to his call.

It delighted him, or as close to delight as he had felt in quite some time.

I am fine, he tells her in case there is any worry. I came to see if you had settled in.  To betray him, his stomach lets out a ravenous growl, dissatisfied with his last meal — coincidentally, the fish they had shared just days earlier.

Would you like to help me take down one of these goats?  Or have you eaten?