and darling

Amusement danced in his eyes as he watched the much younger woman. Though she was far from a child, she had a youthful air about her that felt wildly infectious. She seemed eager enough to meet him, and curious about who he was, which was enjoyable as well. His tail batted gently against his hindquarters as a chuckle fell from parted lips. "Good, good," he responded gently to her.

He shook his large head, a bit dismissively. "No need to be sorry," his loud voice boomed out easily. "You are far from a bother. I am but a guest here, anyway, so it is I who am likely to be the bother." Playfulness glimmered in his eyes as he angled his tusks toward her, taking a few steps closer. "My.. son's mother is a member of Abaven. Renhett, is her name. We're just staying here temporarily, my son and I, until he's old enough to leave." He recognized the scenario was unusual, but found no reason to hide it or disguise it as anything but what it was. "And my name's Aki. It's a pleasure, Sandpiper. Have you lived here for a long time?" Pack life seemed so... alien to him, and it was hard to deny asking questions when he found himself struck with curiosity. Truth be told, though, he couldn't wait to leave this place as interesting as it seemed thus far.