Bitterroot Valley Enter, Pursued by a Memory

his confidence in her is astounding, really. “ehh, don’t think i’d go that far, but sure.” the corner of her mouth hooked upward as she pushes a scoff through parted lips.

“willing?” she repeated, snorting softly. “y’say it like you’re asking me to escort you to a ball, callahan. it’s trees and dirt. i think we’ll survive.” she stepped forward anyway, brushing past a birch trunk, letting her tail flick lightly to the side, enough motion to mark her forward path.

she let out the smallest laugh—low and smooth and short-lived. “although, if one compliment from me takes you out, i think you’ve already lost.” she flicked her tail once, brushing a leaf off her hock with a lazy step.

she sucks in a breath to refocus, turning her attention to the land around her. ”the geography isn’t too complicated, s’ easy enough to navigate when you have the base down.” her nose points north next as she speaks: ”Lake’s that way. Good spot to bathe, maybe catch fish if you’re lucky.”