Redhawk Caldera waxwing

All welcome, but maybe @Sylvie and/or @Eagle?

Crane was not very brave. Sometimes, even her shadow could appear in the corner of her eye and give her such fright that it stole her breath. That was why today was a special day. She kissed @Chickadee on the cheek and crept out of the den at sunrise, following various glimmers of light until she came upon a pile of leaves. She had recently learned that hiding things was fun, and she wondered what would happen if she hid herself. She crept in and waited, unaware that her ears were poking out of the top of the pile.

Eljay stretched his legs, his back, his body, movements slow and stiff. It was a necessary ritual these days, for his body ached more with each passing day, it seemed. Being a grandfather kept him young in the head, but his body did not agree with the sentiment. After he finished stretching back and forth, Eljay shook his pelt and then started in a slow, slightly limping trot towards the heart of the territory. He wanted to check out if he could track some of the herds, and he had last seen one in the territory's center, but was distracted on his way by none other than a pair of ears.

A smile appeared on the grandfather's face when he noticed the ears, but he decided to play the fool instead, for the sake of the game. He lowered his nose to the ground and started to head straight for the pile, zigzagging a little. As he approached, Eljay was due to run straight into the pup-shaped pile of leaves nose-first.

Crane's little ears twitched as she heard someone approach, though she could not tell who as the wind did not favor her. She nearly gasped at the movement — to stay hidden she must remain still!

She could hear this stranger searching and sniffing, but it still caught her by surprise when the leaves all around her went up in the air. She knew it was Grandpa Eljay by the autumnal colour of his arrival. A delighted squeal escaped from her as she pawed gently at his head. You found me!

Eljay was curious to see how Crane would react to his approach. His approaching nose blew the leaves aside, exposing his granddaughter. He chuckled when she pawed at his head, paws surprisingly soft and gentle for one so young, and delightedly announced to be found. I did! And what a lovely surprise, he said softly, the smile never leaving his face. Were you hiding for long?