Verdigris Ravine im spending my summer time after time crying again

Tiny paws skittered along the shallow end of the ravine’s water. As frosted greenery came into her view, Hazelnut slowed into a hesitant trot.

It had been awhile since she’d joined the ranks of her comrades. Comrades; she cringed at the thought. She hardly knew them, nor they her, and she’d taken to giving the bunch such a big title. But she’d continue to label them as such, embarrassing as that was. It made her feel included without actually being present.

In all honesty, Hazelnut had been terrified to properly introduce herself to everyone. It’s been awhile since she’d mingled with her own, and strangers more so! But she couldn’t be that strange little lurker forever. She’d take the plunge today! Well, a cautious dive, but it’s a start.

he'd traversed and found the smell of his own.

a verdant ravine, laced with scent—but not so many individuals that made him too nervous to cross and follow the chocolate-coated girl that meandered within.

if push came to shove, he could talk his way out of it.

madame, he called to her. is this your home? who else lives here? i'm in need of assistance—

and put on his best wounded look, looking sorry and weak and unkempt.

He was a lucky one, that was so, for The Tribe was not pack. All coyote were welcome, so long as their intentions were not filled with malice. 

When Ko'a came to see the coyote whom was colored similarly to herself, she followed after him. His trail led them both to their newest resident, Hazelnut. 

This one comes for aid, yet what ails him? Ko'a inquires, her head tilting as pale eyes dance between Hazelnut and him.

cameo unless addressed!

in the nearby shadows zoug sat and watched what happened.

he was protective more each day of the cave, the ravine. of candle and s'ari besides. she did not have a mate. zoug hunted for both females. the cave would be home to children of zoug. all children.

it was an ambition he had not before felt. zoug at last lifted and came to the side of ko'a. his single eye burned into the new woman and the strange man. fresh blood was layered from his chin down over his shoulders and chest. leaves of aloe bristled along his hackles. he watched in hard silence.

A voice from behind sent a jolt through Hazel's body. Her paws left the earth for a moment as she spun to see who had joined her. Just another coyote; a relieving thought made more comforting with the assumtion he was a part of the crew. Though his following words proved otherwise.

Oh! Uhh, yeah — mhmm! I live here — She struggled to find her words admist a rising panic that came with newfound responsibility. Course she wanted to help, but she didn't know how to exactly go about that...

Well further questioning would be a start, something she (thankfully) wouldn't be burdened with. Stranger to the rescue! Followed by her very bloody, very scary looking companion. Hazel looked to the first man in the hopes to avoid a very intense one-eyed stare.

a man joined the lady before she could speak further, questioning the eunuch. and then another—

oh, he knew this one. bloodied pelt and all.

lady stumbled over her words;

thirsty, he managed, addressing the lot. need water. seeing. . .things. . .

it wasn't altogether a lie. the group of coyotes before him had begun to multiply by twos, then threes. . .

steady yourself, narses!

i seek safe haven, he managed, licking dry lips.

Zoug came. A silent and quiet aid at her side, dressed in the blood of his latest kill. Hazelnut too, was quiet. So Ko'a spoke. 

There is much water here. A river. She explained when he spoke of the need, of the dehydration settling in. There is also water just south west of here... She suggested. This land is Tribe land and it is a haven you may seek, of our kind. All coyote may be Tribe but if you take from Tribe lands, you must give to them. Their lifestyle was one of travel and trade. If he sought shelter and water here, he must supply as well. A very simple trade. 

What is new coyote's name? She lifts a paw, touching to her chest. This one is Ko'a and this one, She settles her paw and juts her nose to the man at her side. Is Zoug... and this... Her voice drew off, eyes cast to Hazelnut.

The man sought water from the lot, that of which they could defienetly provide. Not without something in return, as Koa pointed out. The latter end wasn't something that jumped to the forefront of Hazel's mind, nor would it had showed itself to begin with. If it was water he wanted, she would have been quick to provide!

But before that would be done, Koa requested a name. First with her own, then her scary looking companion, and then —

Hazelnut. An embaressment not unfamiliar came as a flush through her cheeks. But Hazel is fine. For short.

it seemed the man would not stay.

zoug grunted at the wasted effort, but soon gathered ko'a and hazelnut for a short hare-hunt before they returned home.

wasted effort must be redeemed with meat, he decided.

Ko'a did test. A test well warranted. As the new coyote left, Zoug gathered the two women for a hunt. Ko'a smiles to Hazel, bumping her shoulder affectionately with her own as they ran.