King Elk Forest On the outside we look proper and prim but we

A day off was not common for Zephrine, who kept herself occupied as soon as she was welcomed back among her people. Better to keep herself off the radar, away from the attention of those that might target her. She spent a lot of her time exploring the claim as well as the forest around it.

That morning she had dug out and then filled a few new caches, stuffing rabbits and voles and small birds inside as she caught them. It took her most of the afternoon to complete her task; the task left her winded and with sore shoulders. It would be nice to take a breather and maybe wash the mud from between her toes - so she headed towards the falls.

When she got there, she was so focused on reaching one of the small pools to dip her feet in, that she didn't even see the King. She flattened on to her belly with her front limbs sloshing in to the water, reaching and spreading her digits, and let out a deep sigh as the cool water spread across her willowy wrists. Upon opening her eyes again she was smiling to herself, but then - out of the corner of her eye - she thought she saw a familiar shape.

A swarthy warm shape, with a sharp face, noble bearing, and -- Oh. That was the King. What was the King doing here? If it were possible for Zephrine to bleach as white as a summer cloud, she would have. One by one she withdrew her filthy paws from the water and loafed atop them in the manner of a cat, dropping her eyes away from Celnes immediately.

Meekly she stammered: Good.. Good afternoon, Highness. My majesty -- your, I mean. H-hello.