The Heartwood i'm not a complete wretch, i fetch

While he wanted to protect himself, he could not keep his attention on the golden woman for very long before his gaze slipped; either his eyelids drooped or his head tipped down, maybe listing to one side, before he caught himself and remembered to watch her.

What harm could something with three legs do? If she did anything he was confident he could react fast enough — and maybe she could do something useful for him. He decided not to move, but with the surly disposition of someone who doesn't want to admit to being in need, Drusk ducks his head more purposefully and slicks his ears back.

He turns his muzzle away, as if to show physically that he will not do harm should she come closer.