Redsand Canyon When will the bass drop?

Oh, cheese and craps. He realized belatedly that he'd howled for a deaf woman. Now he was really sure they wouldn't take him at all. Who did that—?

He cut off this internal self-flagellation as the dark wolf came forward. Killdeer's eyes wandered over his pelt with some fascination; the multiple colors reminded him of his own. He gave the guard a smile, friendly but a bit nervous.

Hi, I'm Killdeer, he began. My grandma is here—Towhee. You know her, right? I called for her but I guess she won't hear me and, uh, I'm here to join. If you all will have me.

Off to a stellar start, kid.