Come Over Red Rover

Red blinked at her assertion, suddenly uncertain exactly what they were talking about or if they were on the same page in the conversation. When he caught on to where the confusion lied, he was careful not to show a hint of a smile at her misunderstanding, because it was obviously a very sensitive subject for her and he wouldn't want to hurt her feelings even accidentally. He knew what it was like to long for something that should have been attainable, but that he couldn't seem to get.

He might have gently steered the conversation that way, to let her talk about it if she needed, to get some of her frustration off her chest, but Aurielle suddenly froze, ears swiveling. Red did the same, and realized that the normal sounds that should have returned as the danger of a stalking wolf had passed, hadn't. He stood slowly, and then found himself racing after Aurielle as she took off, clearly having heard something.

He almost checked his stride when he saw what had caught her attention. The precious herd of sheep that normally stuffed itself docilely on the plains' grasses was in turmoil, and the cause was clear - the hungry grizzly who was rampaging among them.

And Aurielle dove right in.

Red's breath caught on a cry of warning that he didn't quite voice. She was going after a grizzly with no preparation or protection, just her fangs and... him. Ó, ifreann.

He grimly put on a burst of speed and struck the grizzly's hind left leg as it swiped at Aurielle, throwing off the big bruin's aim, and swift as thought slashed his long fangs into and through the bear's well-padded hamstrings, causing him to sag on that leg. The bear turned on him with a roar that he returned with a bellowing snarl of his own as he leaped aside from the injured bear's charge.