cover your charming, long ears

Redrum watched Maki, her joy radiating off her like warmth from a fire that he was content to sit by. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he found himself grinning continuously as she laid out her grand tales. Despite the over-the-top nature of her story, or rather the multitude of them, Redrum couldn't help but be drawn in. Her happiness made it impossible not to listen, even if his ears did start to swivel back from the sheer volume of her words. It was new, it was different. And the boy was different all on his own.

When she finally paused to breathe, Redrum chuckled, his golden eyes shining with amusement. His skill tilted up to the sky above, mulling over his thoughts before he returned to meet her gaze. “Redrum thinks– Maki makes stories- come alive.” He said, his voice softer now, filled with genuine appreciation for this art he had no idea existed. Not that he had any frame of reference, but no two wolves liked the exact same things anyways. It was probably just her demeanor that held his attention overall. “Forbidden- romance... warring factions. Redrum does not fully- understand- but. Sounds like– a wild ride.”

Her idea of a sequel made him raise an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in a smirk. “Evil twin? And- a twist! Redrum likes twists. Twisting his body- during a hunt- to catch prey.” He said, nodding slowly, trying to follow her runaway train of thought. Her suggestion of making him a character made his ears perk up.

“Redrum– is a warrior.” He echoed, looking down at his twitching paws as if imagining himself in her story. “Redrum can be- strong, fight well. But maybe... Redrum can also- be a friend? A protector?” He suggested, a bit of uncertainty tinting his rumble. “Redrum fights- for what he cares about. And- sometimes... listens, too. Redrum is- not good at- talking though.”

He paused, glancing at Maki with a stumble over his words. “Redrum- likes your- stories. Keep telling- them, Maki. Redrum will listen.” His tail wagged slightly, mirroring her own thudding tail. Part of him worried this new friend would be a fleeting moment, and he had too many of those.