Over many seasons, her ears had grown accustomed to the cruel command of her leadership. Often they were to berate her person, but in the regard of tolerance, she came to acknowledge the sound and voice as the norm. The tasks or performance asked, no more than the routine that became part of the community.
However this tone was different not laden with promise of humiliation upon compliance. His voice was strong, his word a command too true, yet she did not feel the bristle of discomfort. But the intrigue to know why he requested her presence. Another attempt to turn her ear perhaps. Yet her belly was too full and spirits too well to deny him as openly as she had before. Rather she inched closer to him with a feigned apprehension til she stood near his blind side, a large paw nudging against his own, then gradually lowered herself to recline by his side.
She lied with front limbs forward and at ease cradling her head before a moment until to returned to its attentive height. Still she would not look to him but through the sense of touch she acknowledged his presence and found comfort there. Her tongue rolled free to caress the length of her maw, spreading the traces of blood to bathe her nose in its fragrance. She exhaled in content then lowered her muzzle toward an outstretched paw, and basked unabashedly in the comfort of company. |