Rising Sun Valley A Stray Ember

'Mac carefully maneuvered his way down the hill's slope, half-padding, half-sliding in the few inches of snow that softly blanketed the slumbering grass. A sudden gust of chilled wind assaulted his face, causing him to squint and pull his ears back. Perhaps it would be blustery today after all... Ugh!

An unanticipated scent rode the gust's tail-end, and Sumac's head shot up immediately. His amber gaze fell upon a shrouded silhouette, barely visible in the newborn light. He felt his heart jolt into a rapid, colt's-gallop pace with adrenaline. Who was this? He hadn't had much contact with others of his kind in seasons. Well, nothing substantial or pleasant, anyways. A lone young male wasn't usually taken to kindly when stepping across others' boundaries.

Now arrested in his tracks, 'Mac's tail dropped, his ears falling to the sides as he pulled his gaze away, not wanting to stare and accidentally cause offense.

"Oh, uhm... Sorry! Didn't know this land was occupied. Really, I'm just passing on through... Don't mind me," he stammered loudly, lifting one paw up with uncertainty.