Dawnlark Plains tender like a dove

a woman rose from the earth like a ghost, watching him with still gaze and lifted head. curious, cautious.

her demeanor swayed somewhere between friendly and afraid, hesitant and swift wags of her tail bidding him to respond in kind. but his own body language was excitable, boyish. he moved no closer for fear of startling the woman, mimicking her steps backward with a few of his own. she would hunt next, and he would watch. he would learn.

she was meek, but not inept. soft but far from fragile, for he could see the muscles flex beneath her thin coat. for a moment, she reminded him of a swan.