Firefly Glen When Doves Cry

It had been scary — but he was fairly certain Kinusi was not supposed to know he'd ever been afraid of anything. Not yet, at least! He had no instinct for lying, so he didn't try to deny it, but he did studiously avoid agreeing with her. Only a furtive little smile of thanks acknowledged her comforting words.

He was more pleased with the rest of it, anyway. They would be friends, and there would be singing. All seemed right in his world for the first time in quite a while. And with this peace came sudden clarity.

"Well, I'm dispersed," he said, importantly this time. He hoped it might make Kinusi laugh at him again. "That means I must find a fine territory to defend."

He did not take this too seriously, and that was likely clear in the way he puffed his chest before grinning again at his new friend.

"Where I will rule with the lady of my heart," he added, totally not too serious, "and maybe growl at some mean strangers. What do you think? A noble plan?"

He dropped, bowing playfully in her direction.

"There will still be singing and adventuring, of course," he assured her.