Redtail Rise diamond eyes

They had decided against meeting with @Maleah again. Masque would take the knowledge the woman had given them on that day—for the price of two dead rabbits left on Sapphique’s doorstep—and try to supplement it on their own. “I’m slowly learning to identify this too,” she had said, which told the Caru that they could be something of an autodidact, if they were careful.

But they thought of none of this as they roamed the rise this evening. All Masque could think about was the heat and the smokiness in the air. It set their teeth on edge. Their long tail flicked as they walked, a look of consternation twisting their ruddy features. They stood on the highest ridge line for a while, staring at the wilderness sprawling to the south, then finally decided to retire to the rendezvous site.

At first, they thought no one else was there. Masque swallowed. The pups roamed the territory freely by now, though they usually bedded down here each night. The Caru hadn’t seen much of either Relic or Redd lately, they realized as their eyes scanned the clearing. Their disquiet grew.

They were on the verge of calling out to locate their family members when Mulherin materialized out of the dusk, prowling toward them. Masque let out a breath, relieved to see him. They relaxed, only to go rigid again in the next heartbeat. The Caru was glad to see him, though where was everybody else?

I always have time for you and Mul! :)