Moonsong Glacier mama cuts like a man-of-war

Despite his newfound appreciation for the other male, Dutch couldn't help but feel a little bristly about the dismissive way he talked about the black bear. He was torn between calling Sumac out and listening as a friend, as it seemed he surely needed! Right up until the last tidbit, which clicked everything very nicely into place.

"Of course she is," he said with a soft little huff, a fond look on his face. He jerked his chin, gesturing to the edge of the boulder they stood upon. "Come look."

A dozen yards below, fat, sleepy seals were catching some weak winter rays on their pebbly beach. Dutch hung his front paws off the ledge, his tail wheeling in the air as he took in the sight. They were almost commonplace in the life that Dutch had lived, but there was still something so strange and alien about a creature that inhabited the land and water so confidently.

But his gaze soon returned to Sumac, who he studied with a contemplative air.

"I can teach you how to court a woman," he said to Sumac, tail whisking. "I can introduce you to women, too. It is not so hard as it may seem." His eyes sparkled with mirth, though he did not mean to make light of the other man's worries.

"As for your fears — " The panther gave an uneasy shrug. "Fatherhood has been difficult, thus far. But where I have failed, others have stepped in to help. My children grew with love into strong, capable men and women. And you have the black bear to help you." His smile was wry. "There is no one better."