King Elk Forest Strike the match, play it loud

Mud caked his fur at the bottoms of his feet, and even in between the pads. An annoyance for Rye but definitely gave some squirrel a small chuckle while watching the multi colored male shake his feet repeatedly. A bath was in order but Rye wasn't planning on plopping down right then and there for a bath. He hoped the blades of gras would slowly strip away at the mud flakes as he padded through the forest. Rye began to recall the first time he visited the forest, it was cold and the ground had been freshly coated with the clouds finest snow. Now it was a haven for game and cooler temperatures, all thanks to the abundance of greenery surrounding the forest. 

As beautiful as most of Ryes mornings were, they wouldn't be complete without something catching his eye. Whilst taking his time jogging through the forest the male happened upon a female. She appeared to have sustained a small injury from her paw. Rye watched intently, curious to see. While he watched, Rye herded his thoughts together and then let one by one pass by until one ran a little wild and presumptuous. 'A Blackfeather?', he thought hastily. Hostility was thick in the air and suddenly the world was much more tense. He wasn't sure how to approach the situation but to use his typical laid back ways. In truth that was the best option and so it was decided.

He pressed on towards her, no hackles raised nor his tail, all was relaxed. The male cleared his throat, hoping to gain her attention before startling her. As he neared he saw what she had hurt her paw on and began his opening with that. "I hear those are extra sharp this time of year, something about the summer temperature brings out the nasty in those things." He joked, letting a smile take form. The tension he felt still tugged at his mind but he refused to let it seep through.