Blackfoot Forest that's steel

surprise draws apart ridgeback's lips in a soft exhale, erasing his ghosting grin as she accepts his offer. to say that he expected it would be little more than a lie. then again, this serves as proof that first impressions weren't always correct. alright, he draws in and skirts around the small pond, stepping awkwardly towards her though sure — as she warns him — to keep distance between them. sound fair enough. he murmurs, though he wants to add that he didn't intend to do anything to her; he doesn't. he takes the lead, pausing only when he reaches the vine covered rocks, nudging his nose thru to find air in the stead of rocks. i was right. it's a cave. ridgeback crows, triumphant. he shrugs thru the rocks and underbrush, eyes adjusting to the limited light at the mouth of the concealed cave, the damp, musk scent of moss, mildew and slick rock always an unpleasant greeting.