Phantom Hollow Say it ain't so[m + trigger warning]

from the snowclad grove a howl stirred the denizens, sending a ptarmigan iliksis had carefully stalked fluttering off in surprise. he sighed, soured by the loss of a meal. it was not his day, apparently.

he would have ignored the howl except for it came again, and this time it roused his attention as it seemed desperate and full of panic. iliksis pulled his ears towards the sound and struck off at a steady clip towards the source.

eventually the male came across a twisting copse of trees, and spotted the wretch held within them. a soft, pale female with cloudlike fur and bright red eyes filled with distress. he stopped thirty feet from her and regarded her situation carefully. he held his muzzle to the sky and inhaled the bevy of scents that flooded the forest -- none of which suggested anything but that she was alone.

he took a few steps forward and his gaze fell from her body to her slender limbs, which splayed out from under the tree, useless to her. for a moment he held back, and it almost looked as if he were asking her if he should approach.