Grouse Thicket and on the trees' rough husks

"Walks are boring," Svalinn agreed, quite gravely, finding an instant rapport with his flame-lit packmate and falling easily into a relationship of trust as children tend to do. Caiaphas had instilled in him a prevailing thought to be wiser than this, but there was no better teacher than experience, most would say. It would take  facing some tough losses before he stopped hording in others as he saw fit. And as far as he was presently concerned, this one -- both protector and taker-of-jokes -- deserved to be in his squad. Therefore, he'd answer her questions.

"I was jus' lookin' for something I can beat up. Ma says the younger cubs are off limits, so I gotta find new 'ponents - but it's kinda hard to look when I gotta patrol'n stuff too." He wasn't typically much of a talker, but he felt like he could vent to her.