Bearclaw Valley Ain't it a gentle sound, the rolling in the graves

fade here? <3

val bloomed under arielle's warm smile. it was not much, but a smile from arielle was like a boon from a god: she was often so composed and self-assured, that praise from her was like standing in a pool of sunlight a while.

thank you. a gush of gratitude overwhelmed him. he meant it, truly. thank you for everything. for your belief. for your help. for saving me from the bear.

but not her bear -- his own. those yellow eyes always lurked.

he would sleep that night restlessly, and in those dreams he would wrestle with the shadow of the bear; in the morning he would wake and resume his patrols, a new scar notched to his muzzle and his gait a little stiffer.