Swiftcurrent Creek Peanut butter and jealous

Dapper had done his best to fly under the radar after feasting upon Honey Badger; he knew it was likely that he would be hunted for that, or that word would spread and the inhabitants of the Wilds would be on high alert. But thus far, he had escaped unscathed, and the packs in the area seemed no more territorial than usual— and he typically avoided them anyway. Although the unexpected reunion with Supernova had momentarily brought back his conscience, it eventually lost the battle against hunger, and he reverted to his deranged ways.

He traveled away from the coast, exploring the lands on the other side of the mountain— perhaps that would be enough barrier against the plateau, and perhaps the north had yet to hear of the news... Dapper explored the wide plains of the valley for discarded carrion, and luck seemed to continue in his favor. The lands were flat and provided little shelter for prey, and he came across the discarded carcesses of several ungulates. The meat was old, but it would still strengthen him.

After spending the night in the sheltered crevices of the mountainside, Dapper moved northwards, following a river that flowed into lake— and was startled to see a small form just ahead, near its bend. He paused, tasting the air, ears going alert at the faint smell of wolves. A pack— but where were they, and why would they allow one of their young to wander so far on its own? His mind analyzed, worked through a multitude of options... drawing nearer meant certain death, but if he could lure the youth away...

His dull, grey eyes searched his immediate vicinity, and he found a squirrel's discarded tail. There were telltale signs that the squirrel had met its demise at the jaws of another predator, though fox or wolf it was difficult to say— but either way, the fluffy tail was mostly hair and no meat, thus not worthy of consumption. It was, however, an excellent toy.

And so Dapper made an excellent show of playing with the fluffy tail, batting and kicking it around, far enough away from the pack's edges that it was unlikely he would be chased away... but close enough that he could perhaps pique the child's curiosity and beckon it closer.