Swiftcurrent Creek that aint no lie

a growl paused thorn's exploration of her fur. he stepped back in obeisance, finding the white-iron flare of her gaze upon him. while her tail was rigid, his was loose -- and outwardly the brute looked deceptively relaxed despite the buzz within.

he was excited; excited she was here, honoring his efforts with her presence. he remained composed in spite of this, but in his gaze was a boyish wonder that betrayed him in some small part. it did not matter to him that for now she did not want to leave -- thorn was not afraid of time, nor how it warped wolves of their convictions.

he gave her ample space as she shared her name -- an elegant name, he thought, for so elegant a creature. taking a deep breath, the brute answered: "thorn." next to aria, the name seemed lackluster and coarse -- quite similar, he supposed, to how he must look standing near such a pale vision of refinement. "those are for you." he motioned to the gifts he had assembled -- in hindsight, it was quite plain the offering had been intended for her all along.