Hushed Willows you're my devil, you're my angel

He took the kid's non-response as an answer. Instead of being spooked like earlier, he smiled warmly at the youngster. He wondered when he would begin to talk and understand things. Tambourine couldn't really remember how old he had been when he'd developed these skills. Heck, he didn't even really know his own age. He shrugged to himself.

"What's your name?" he wondered, then kicked himself when he realized the child wouldn't be able to answer him. And there was no sign of his mother; she must have stepped out for a moment. "I guess I'll have to give you a nickname," he babbled despite knowing the pup couldn't follow. Tambourine lifted a paw off the ground and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'll call you..." He paused for a beat, squinting thoughtfully at the pup before his eyes fell to the chewed-up leaf between them. "Chalky."