Redhawk Caldera bidibodi bidibu

What’re the odds of that? he wonders aloud re: the similarity in surnames.

Instead of replying, Livi makes a face and then whirls. Bushtit gets a faceful of tail, several strands of fur clinging to his tongue. He blows a loud raspberry as he gamely falls into step behind her. He doesn’t really try to catch up, just trots along behind and enjoys the view. She’s too young to do much for him, though he’s still a hotblooded young male. And an ass is an ass.

He trails her around the curving shoreline, slowing only when she does. He arrives beside her, panting slightly, and looks where she’s pointing. Alivia wants to make their way to a boulder peeking out of the water. Bushtit eyeballs the gauntlet they’ll have to cross, grinning in approval at her sense of adventure.

She wants him to go first. Bushtit tosses her a grin, then lines up for the first hop. There’s a flat stone just beneath the surface, its topside covered in green algae. It’s angled slightly, its left corner jutting just out of the water. Bushtit knows it’s going to be slippery, particularly with the grade, but the worst case scenario is he gets wet.

He springs, paws indeed slipping on the rock’s scummy face. He nearly loses his balance, tipping forward so his nose almost touches the water. Bushtit’s posteror thrusts up into the air, his tail swinging upward as a counterbalance and giving Livi quite the view as he manages to steady himself. Well, that’s only fair.