Bramblepoint circinus

in perfectly practiced patience, qiao smiled. oh, but anyone can hunt. she swept away on thin limbs. 

a beaver, huh? she called behind her as her nose lowered to the earth, drinking the musty smells of this dark realm. that is a tenacious catch for a young man. 

the scent of mouse, sweet yet pungent with ammonia, rose around her. qiao began to still, ears listening for the scrape of their little feet under the earth.