Firefly Ravine and i brought your blanket, hand-woven, hand-dyed

the woman reassures him he's not doing anything wrong -- again, strangely, he can't help but feel he knows her -- though he doesn't know what she means by a local. the threat of bears she introduces makes his small face furrow comically, looking around as if one might manifest from thin air to kill them where they stand. "bear," he echoes anxiously, shaking his head, "no bears here, right?"

just to be safe he inches closer toward her. he may be slightly disillusioned with adults at the moment but she's his best bet against the threat of bears, all things considered. "i-i live over in th'willows," he mumbles, "but i don' go out alone -- ever. i'm tryin' to be braver 'cause i gotta take care of my sister an' the other puppies i know." he puffs up slightly as he says this. saying it out loud reconfirms his decision, even if bears are now a looming threat.