Bearclaw Valley sidegoss

The guard glanced up as Milan approached, his amber eyes steady but carrying a flicker of acknowledgment at her question. He shifted slightly, his paw brushing against the small figurines lined neatly beside him.

Uh… just makin’ some lil’ things, he said, his voice calm, the faintest hint of sheepishness threading through his tone. He gestured with his muzzle toward the carvings. For one of Nephele’s girls. Thought she might like ’em.

His gaze dropped back to the figurine he was working on, the edges still rough but slowly taking shape under his careful touch. Nothin’ I can't do later. Y'alright? he added, the corner of his mouth twitching as if to dismiss the significance of his task. But the care in his work said otherwise.