Sleepy Fox Hollow it don't feel right to see you, friend

Wylla lifted her ears to listen to a howl that was too close to be any sort of coincidence. Shit, she mumbled once she ascertained the approximate location of the caller. All the way across the hollow from where she was. Of course they were.

It took her some time to arrive even at a canter. When she did, she was just as surprised to see a reedy white-furred youth standing there as she was delighted to see Emmerich on border duty. He was truly becoming a guardian and an asset to Paleo and she was so proud of him. She saw so much of Mahler in him, and not only because he already stood taller than her. Wylla nuzzled his shoulder gently on approach, grinning at the possibility of embarrassing him despite the solemn formality of a border call.

The other boy was younger by a month or so, she reckoned, judging by his ungainly proportions and overall mien. Drawing his scent into her nose, Wylla detected several familiar notes. Mereo, if she had to guess. What could possibly have brought a child of Mereo to Paleo's doorstep unattended?

Normally, she would ask the caller this question directly, but she was keen to see how Emmerich handled himself, so she turned her single eye upon her son and asked, who's this?

At least it wasn't another fucking weird coyote.