Sun Mote Copse some people are just born to fight, i think

while savaktuk is not surprised to know that there are others that rise with the ascending sun, he is surprised to see a cub approach him from the depths of the copse. having not have been around cubs extensively as a father would be, he cannot tell her age by looking at her and deduces regardless that it doesn't matter. she approaches him with such gusto and purpose that the tartok cannot help but be mostly impressed with a mixture of amusement. bronco had informed him of the firebird's youth and it would seem despite savaktuk's desire to generally avoid interacting with them, he wouldn't be able to avoid this interaction.

she does that strange gesturing that he watched towhee and bronco make and his magma gaze follows the actions as she speaks aloud, trying to commit the words to the gestures. she introduces herself — meerkat — and without giving him a chance to respond with his own name, she adds the question of does he like to explore.

savaktuk. he offers her his name and after a pause of uncertainty of why she was asking if he liked to explore and the further press of did he? he answers yes.