Whitefish River things primordial

he was feral, but not cruel; he only watched the nervous, pacing beast upon the bank for a moment more before he glided into view. perhaps to her he would seem fierce and graceful — taltos was naught but a broken vessel clad in the colour of the earth, his heart barely mended from the departure that night in the caldera, and he did not bother to hide the pain in his eyes.

nostrils flared, lasher crept on silent paws some inches closer, to draw the scent so rank with foreign taint into his awareness. the beast was compact, thickly furred, and female, but he had no word for what she was. the delta had never seen a canine before, but instinct demanded he be wary, even threatening.

yet he was neither of those things; he gave a gentle chuff, plume curled above his slim hips to give a brief wave before descending into a comfortable curve at his heels. ears remained pricked, alert, and the sinews of his body were taut, lest this appealing thing yet lash out.