Fox's Glade ocean eyes

she exhales a soft, incredulous breath, as the man cloaked in amber offers to help her with the burial. hazel eyes flicker upward, nervous but awe-filled, peeking through long lashes. winnie is silent as he begins to scratch and claw at the earth with paws much sturdier than her own. snow billows in soft clouds at his sturdy limbs, giving way to dirt, which he tears up effortlessly. he carries a silent strength that while she can appreciate, it makes her feel flighty. one of those paws could crush the lifeless bird with ease...and yet, here he is, helping dig it's grave.

the hole is carved out within a matter of minutes, a shallow indent just big enough to cradle the starling's body. she lowers her head to nuzzle the bird into it's grave. the sorrow still dances within her, but now insignificant compared to the curiosity, the confusion, and the gratefulness she felt toward him. with closed eyes, she murmurs a quiet prayer. "may you find peace."

"you are helping me..." a gentle statement, voice no louder than the cold wind that brushes by. "why?" she doesn't demand, but inquires. winnie couldn't understand why he'd go out of his way to help her with something so silly. it was significant only to her; a lover of all creatures, a starling deserved a proper resting place, too. she drew back into herself once again, shifty and sad eyes meeting his, only to dart away again. "i do not even know your name..."