The Tangle natsukashii

She heard him before she saw him. Above the gentle waterfalls came the arrhythmic lumbering of a great beast. Her brows furrowed as her peace was interrupted by an ugly squealing, and soon she was watching in horror as a wolf tumbled head-over-heels into her clearing.

The princess remained frozen in visible shock, wincing slightly at each collision as the intruder came to a painfully slow and unflattering stop at the pool's edge. Well, that was certainly an entrance.

Shock morphed into pity as she gazed at the poor thing's raised paw, ears flicking in acknowledgment as he pleaded for help. It was at this point that Raijin failed to stifle a bubble of laughter at his predicament. "Come. Soak them in water, it will loosen the skin. Then we will pull them out, yes?" His pathetic display normally would've earned a glare of disdain, but thankfully she was in a good mood today.

Approaching with a slow wag of her tail, she nosed his airborne paw in encouragement. "You can walk a few more steps?"