Jade Fern Grove alright, my brothers, listen closely

Given his secluded upbringing, Persia had only recently been introduced to the idea that there were wolves smaller than him out there. He was only now reaching his adult size — all that was left to do was to grow into his long, whippy legs. He was pleased, therefore, to outweigh the juvenile... even though, as a subadult, he really ought to pick on someone his own age.

But the girl didn't seem inclined to quarrel over whatever she was sniffing — a spore, he was disappointed to find, rather than something more material. Persia padded closer anyway, slowing as he passed her to flare his nostrils in her direction. Up close, he could tell she was one of many, but those many weren't here right now. With a swish of his tail he turned his sniffer on the scrape instead, and then onto the dirt and detritus around it.

Then he got an idea. An awful idea. The grinch had a wonderful, awful idea...

... that it might be fun to play keep-away when he was the largest participant.

He gave another swish of his tail and took off at a trot, calling, "Well? Let's boogie!" over his shoulder. The deer hadn't been where he'd come from, and it didn't seem like they'd been where she came from, either. So deeper into the woodland was the answer. He paused to be sure that she was coming along, entirely willing to pester her if she didn't get with the program.