Blacktail Deer Plateau The shadows stole the sun

Blue Willow spoke in a soothing tone, telling her a story about the moon and his wives. Osprey Jr.'s bat-like ears quivered as she listened to the tale. When the Alpha female finished, she leaned backward to look into the adult's face and then licked softly at her chin, a quiet show of thanks for making her feel better. She then rubbed her head underneath Blue Willow's chin, her big ears crumpling against her head.

"L-O-V, that spells love!" the youngster chimed randomly, entirely forgetting the final E. It was something she'd learned from her mother just the other day. "I love you, Aunt Willow," she added, her thin tail thumping in the ground. "You make me feel betta'." She grinned, showing her pearly white teeth. They glowed in the darkness, which had ceased to affect her.

"Why's daddy peein' on that guy's head?" she queried, equally spontaneously. Childishly, she assumed Blue Willow would know exactly who she was talking about and, just like she'd put young Osprey's mind at ease about the early night, Junior hoped her aunt would provide an explanation for her daddy's odd behavior.