Chimera Fields My mother told me

The smile rising to the lady's face was enough to set him more at ease - Galen sighed at her question yet, tilting his head to study the trees around them again. His ears drew back, wavering closer to his head; another image of indecision written across his face, clearly warring with himself whether to answer fully. He wouldn't lie, he needed not to, but he felt compelled nonetheless. Outside of Luhtar and a few friendly strangers, he had no one to confess to, to let those little whispers and nightmares spring into nothing but words.

It made them feel less real, in a way. He slowly replied, tentative, We talk often is all-

He had the sensation he had stepped on a thinly-frosted lake, listening to it crack and threaten to bow beneath his weight. His jaw dropped, flashing his bottom teeth in an aghast stare as she grew closer, voice sharper and sharper all the while. His back paws dug against the dirt, he sputtered - unable to come up with a clear word as she only encroached.

Galen's brows furrowed, lip now drawn in a fierce and disturbed scowl as he jumped to his feet, staring down a wheat-hued snout at her, right into the agitated pools of purple and pale. I do not seek to steal him!

His voice was sudden and frustrated, a marked difference between the way he had hummed and murmured before. To think of what she was accusing him - of luring Luhtar away from a home that seemed so true and dear to him? One that he even invited Galen into? 

I will take my leave of Forneskja's borders, since my reason for being here causes you distress. Galen was colder then, but his voice had fallen back to its baseline, closer to a whisper than a shout. He bowed his head again, stepping back, ears now drawn and tail low behind him. Again, he uttered an apology, and made to turn and go.