Wapun Meadow scared money can't win and a worried man can't love

he expected a fight, some sort of struggle -- maybe even a feint as she impishly denied him his stick. instead, he got the whole thing back, branch and all.

his jaws closed around the stick tenderly, and he cast a dubious gaze to her. was it a trick? some play or guile? her features seemed genuine, and while he saw a glint of mischief in her eyes, there seemed no ill-will.

he would take that.

with a grunt he yoinked the stick best he could, and then was off -- she could give chase again, or find something else -- but he would happily play keep-away for as long as she wished to.