take two

As the morning sun painted the landscape with its golden hues, Redrum bounded through the underbrush, his senses alive with the crisp scents of the forest. He moved with a youthful vigor, his red fur shimmering in the light as he traversed the new trails of the territory he explored. His mother had allowed him permission to leave Insomnia borders, if only for the cougar that followed him some distance back. It was something of a confidence boost, and a greatly needed one at that. He could not be his mother’s son and act like a craven. Just as he was sniffing about, looking to try his hand at a small hunt there suddenly came a familiar scent that tickled his nose, causing his ears to perk up in excitement. He knew that one! He could never have forgotten his first friend so soon. Elara's scent, unmistakable and sweet, danced on the breeze, drawing him like a magnet.

With a burst of energy, Redrum quickened his pace, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew he shouldn't cross into Ashen territory, not after what happened last time. His mother had made it clear that he was only allowed to explore neutral grounds, or if he had explicit permission, and he intended to honor that rule. But Elara's scent drifting tantalizingly close egged him on, to the very outskirts of what he assumed was Ashen’s border.

Redrum skidded to a halt, his golden eyes sparkling with excitement as he caught sight of Elara. She stood on the other side, her fur aglow in the sunlight, with a stranger canine by her side. A mischievous grin tugged at Redrum's lips as he called out to her, his head cocking to the side as those elongated ears stood atop his head straight and sharp.

"E-lara!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine delight. "Red is. happy. to see you!" Despite the distance between them, his enthusiasm was palpable, his tail wagging eagerly behind him. He even forgot to fix his manner of addressing himself. "Red was. given permission. to come out, from Insomnia borders." As he spoke, Redrum's gaze flickered to the border between them, a silent acknowledgment of the boundary he dared not cross. Memories of their first encounter flashed through his mind, the tension thick in the air as Elara had unwittingly trespassed into Insomnia territory. But now, with both of them safely separated by the border, he felt a sense of relief mingled with excitement at the prospect of finally getting to know her better.

"Still, in trouble?" He added with a playful wag of his tail, his tone still mechanical, but somewhat light and teasing.