Wapun Meadow bloodgrand

The panther laughed as well, his frontal lobe lighting up in technicolor at this praise. "I do not believe that," he replied, adamant, "But I will pretend to, if it pleases you. Poorly — but I will still pretend."

He laid back in the dusting of snow, finally able to relax now that Chakliux had returned. He did not pain or hunger nearly as much as he brooded, then. The hunt was ended. They would return to the moon villages, now, each to their own. Not long before, Dutch had wanted ardently to have his paws back upon the glacier, but now he was reluctant to move from this place — in space, in time, in the universe.

"You have given me something I needed as well, I think," he said to the seal hunter. "I do not know the name of it. But I will miss it when we part ways."

His eyes were sad. He directed them at the canopy instead of at his friend.