The Sentinels gayatri

she was too beautiful for a place like this--but then again, so were the saplings. his breath caught suddenly as he turned to face her, golden eyes drifting down her golden form. a lopsided smile painted his mouth, his tail moving slowly behind him as he responded, "hello."

for a moment, they stood staring at each other, until govinda found the composure to speak again. "what brings you here?" too late, he found the smell of the bay wolves on her pelt, and opened his mouth to amend his question. . .but shut it again, letting her explain inside. her voice was soft and lovely; he wanted to hear it once more, rather than the salt-scoured rattle of his own.