Swiftcurrent Creek feelin' good, like i should

like polaris, he watched the feeding with delight. he was so engrossed in the sight that he didn't notice her sudden tail movement, and thus was just as shocked as she was when the bird and her young took off in alarm. the girl uttered something foreign, something he didn't recognize, and then—

bam it! he gritted his teeth, hard, in a desperate effort not to laugh. luckily, all that came out was a muffled gasp, and then he stepped forward, cloaking the sound with his paws across the grass.

sorry, bachchi, aditya said, voice warm, sympathetic. birds are frightful little creatures; they'll take off at the slightest breeze. he kept a respectful distance from her, given that they hadn't officially met yet. instead, he cocked his head, smiling. i'm aditya. what's your name?