Wapun Meadow and I've got one foot in the door

eulie dawn didn’t look at him right away. just plucked a berry from the stem with her teeth, slow and unbothered, as if the world could wait. only after she chewed, and swallowed, and gave the birds a glance as they fluttered from bush to branch, did she speak.
not the pack kinda girl, she said softly, a smile ghosting across her lips. ain’t never been. ain’t never tried to be.
her voice was like a creek in spring—gentle but certain. it didn’t carry weight, didn’t press down. it just was. natural as the wind.
my people are covey, she added after a beat, tilting her head toward him like she was sharing a secret. we don’t belong no where. not the way other folk do. we go where the hush leads us. stay ‘til the hush leaves.
she looked at him now, candlelit eyes gleaming just a touch.
don’t reckon bearclaw’d take to that.
another berry, another thoughtful pause.
but i thank you. truly. her tail tapped once, a soft thump in the grass. not many offer kindness with no tether.