Redhawk Caldera bury me with bourbon next to a moonshine still

though his father in law had proceeded his approach with a low rumble in greeting, kivaluk still starts; his mind carried away a thousand and one different directions. steps slow and he moves to face eljay in full, giving a small wag of his tail and a chuff 'round the squirrel tail. he sets it down at his paws, thanks, offering eljay a grin.

i had a much loved squirrel tail growing up. my brother and i fought over it. kivaluk's memories of those happy times: before his father left and his mother and then his father again; and his brother somewhere in there too — were very few and far in between.

how're you doing today, sir? kivaluk inquires, grateful for the man's help with the kids; unable to help but call him 'sir' as if he were still that nervous boy that had accompanied chickadee here so many moons ago.