Redtail Rise melisma

He was focused on the water and his own thinking when Avicus appeared, so her sudden presence on the other bank startled him. He was immediately embarrassed by both his line of thinking and the fact that he was clearly sitting here, alone, caught up in useless worrying.

Oh, sorry. He said quietly, sitting up and glancing at her, unable to meet her gaze. It was silly to bother with this, what with everything she'd managed to do. His tail began to brush the ground behind him and he smiled. It's really great. All of this. I'm glad we could do it. He was glad he'd decided to come.

He didn't really feel like hopping across to join her right now, though. He liked the others, and he wanted to be a part of the pack's first celebrations together... but something held him back. He looked into the water again, watching the shadows pattern with the current's motion. Maybe he'd stay here for a little while first.