Phantom Hollow while you runnin through the banners [m]

Cupid.  That was a guy's name, right?  So guy.  But then why...?  You know what, screw it.  He'd seen undead people here, a dude who for some reason smelled like a chick was not the most outlandish thing he'd run across. Maybe it was just this forest being damn weird.

While Mal was ahead, he looked back a couple of times.  Anxious wasn't the right word, and he had no idea what was, but certainly a bit unfocused -- it took a fair bit of effort to keep himself on task and checking for scents.  Honestly he was more worried that his distraction would be noticed because it didn't match with the way he wanted Cupid to see him.  Heck, it was a relief that Cupid stepped up front -- or was for about two seconds.

For after that moment, Mal just stared at the butt in front of him and his brain pretty much turned off.  Previous conflicts? Tossed in a dark corner somewhere to be dealt with later.  He didn't know why, but as they trotted along, he craned his neck forward and felt compelled to take a sniff of something that was very much not a potential trail for prey -- or as close as he felt safe so there was no danger of touching.  He jerked his head back immediately so his 'crime' wouldn't be spotted, and if wolves could flush in embarrassment he'd be a bright shade of scarlet.  Why did he just do that?  Mal felt all kinds of weird, not quite like his guts were tying themselves in knots but close enough that it was the only metaphor his poor education could come up with.  It shook him out of his reverie a little, just in time for the rabbit revelation.  He did his best to pick up his crumbling thoughts and sorted out his mask, before breaking out of the single-file so that he could be marginally less distracted, Huh?  You're right. Pretty sure that's your doing, I don't ever have good luck.  He flashed Cupid a cheeky grin and tried to forget what just happened, throwing his attention onto the rabbit's trail, but making sure not to wander too far.