Blackfoot Forest The Modification of a Wolf

Despite Pied's efforts, Hawkeye seemed to notice her strange mannerisms. Damn it, she thought quietly. Aloud, she said lightly, "Oh, I meant that as a joke." She paused, then nodded. "I'm okay. Sorry, I... have an attention deficit disorder of some sort," the yearling said apologetically, offering Hawkeye a sheepish smile. She hoped this would explain her odd behaviors to the other female's satisfaction.

Pied had yet to reveal her gift to anyone, not even her closest family and friends back home—not even her own mother. When she'd happened across Bon Dye the other day and learned what it was all about, she'd felt she might fit in well and find acceptance. Here, her gift might not only be accepted but truly appreciated. Until she felt more sure of that, Pied refused to let anyone know of her special talent. She was still working on accepting it herself, to be honest.

With that said, the ghost's presence made her almost maddeningly curious as he now made wild, amusing gestures behind Hawkeye's back, as if mocking her. Pied's head tilted at the strange display. Now he lifted his leg against Hawkeye and released a stream of ectoplasmic urine. Of course, Hawkeye could have no idea what was happening. For her part, Pied bit down hard on her lip to stop herself from laughing.

"Hawkeye," she began, "I have what might seem like a very strange question for you." Pied paused, her two-toned eyes glittering. "It's a little bit morbid too. Sorry about that." She paused again, then finally queried, "Do you happen to know of anyone who died by having his throat torn out—like, maybe a brother or something?" Even as it left her tongue, Pied realized how strange and specific the question must seem. But something about the way the ghost was behaving just screamed sibling to her. Again, she bit her lip.