Hushed Willows cause he can't compete with a man like me

the girl is diligent, though sivaak offers no encouragement, no approval. such things are earned through results, not effort. sivaak listened intently to the the crunch of her heavy pawsteps on the frosted ground. it seems louder than it should be.

when sobeille doubles back, sivaak’s eyes narrow slightly, watching. she doesn’t speak, letting the weight of her earlier instruction settle over the girl like a heavy shadow. find it, the silence demands. and then, near the bent branch of red berry, a flicker of movement—she’s caught something.

good, sivaak rumbles.