Jade Fern Grove hauntings

knowing full well that he had been scarce, aloof, unavailable, merrick coursed all of ursus in search of his rook. when he found her gimletpurple gaze, he fell toward the earth, groveled with low whines into the dust, hoping @Astara would relent even for the span of two hours. their children, turned out-of-doors — their presence would not be needed here.
merrick pranced and coaxed, a puppyish bark rising in his throat as he urged the corvid from their borders. only then did he submit to whatever maulings the woman might offer, bearing her chastisement if it came with a good humour.
the grove was thick with wet green ferns and brushed with rain, but merrick remembered the places in it, and trailed his plume through the trees with a territorial step.