Wild Berry Meadow opened up like a marionette, danced a whimsical pride

one could see the hope flee from his eyes as she revealed what he'd already assumed. he visibly sunk at her words, tail hung low and ears pressed flat against his skull. what would he do if he couldn't find her? he'd already told ying's sister something like this would never happen again, and yet here he was falling short on his promise.

he would have turned to leave, believing her to have nothing else to offer him, if she'd not caught his attention once more with her words. she'd not seen ying, but knew of her?! "she is", he confirmed with a nod of his head. if this woman knew of his friend, then perhaps he'd be able to enlist her help. and if he couldn't persuade her, then maybe bribery would do the trick.