Whittle Away the Time We Have

She was surprised at the compliment she paid him. He gave it so freely, as though he had no idea that it was her first. She was still blinking in surprise when she realised he had yet to finish speaking. She blinked again, trying to get her mind to catch up with what he had been saying.

Sneak, count to ten, jump, intimidate. Don’t get too close. Help with the kill if needed. She nodded briskly, blinking back some emotion in her eyes. The feeling of being included, and… welcome. No time for that, which was good, because she didn’t want to stand there all sappy eyed before the almost stranger.

She slunk away quickly before he could catch too much of the emotions in her eyes. She moved as carefully as she could, because it was important to learn and not because she wanted to do him proud.

She reached the other side, looking in the general direction of his bush, and then silently counted to ten. Once she hit the number, she launched herself forward in a flurry of movement. She almost tripped on her exit, but managed to regather her balance, yipping and snapping her paws. The deer just about screamed in fright, and ran blindly. Which, she supposed, was the point.

She leapt left, right, left, as she ran forward. Driving and directing the beast towards her waiting companion.


"Speech"