Party till the cows come home

Redrum's crimson form rippled with uncontrollable spasms as he approached the celebration, the sounds and scents overwhelming his senses. In his jaws, he carried an ivory deer antler, adorned with flowers and entwined with vines. The base was bundled, resembling a small tree ready to be planted and nurtured. It was his gift to her, personalized with his unique touch. She appreciated twists, didn’t she? He felt a mix of anxiety and excitement, his predatory gaze flicking around the carefully decorated Steppes. The lanterns, the pillows and furs, the vibrant flowers — like nothing the feral young brute was used to. He hadn’t even been sure he would come when the invitation rained down on his head. But this was Maki. His friend, or at least he considered her as such.

His long ears flicked back and forth, catching snippets of conversations, laughter, and the distant tune of the band. The scent of food mingled with the earthy aroma of spring and strangers, creating a sensory overload that made his muscles twitch more prominently. His golden eyes were wide, claws tapping against the ground as he flexed his toes into the stones he was skulking across. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, his gait confident but menacing as he moved through the gathering. Not trying to touch anyone.

Redrum's gaze finally landed on Maki. She stood out, her excitement almost tangible as she flitted about, her flower crown a bright spot in the crowd. His heart skipped a beat, and he felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. He wasn't used to such grand celebrations, and the effort put into this made him feel something he couldn't quite name. She looked like she belonged. Something completely foreign to him.

He watched her for a moment, taking in her joyful energy as she was greeted by other guests, the wolves who were strangers to him coming and going. His jaw tensed as he approached her, his steps much too purposeful, stopping only to lean his gift against his fore to speak. “Maki. Ah. Happy- Birthday.” He managed to call out, his voice halting and low from his own uncertainty of being there. In truth, he wanted to rush off into the brush, but he held himself steady, a shoulder bumping forward gently to gesture to the gift, his head held high; ears even higher than that as he took in her pretty flower crown, wondering if he should have made something more… her style?

He didn’t really wait for a reaction, after handing off the decorated antler, the young brute flashed an odd, warm smile and slipped away into the less populated space within the celebration. Copying what the other guests had done, greeted her and gone off to.. to what? He didn’t know. But he wanted to get to somewhere less so in the spotlight. No child of Medusa would be anything but a social freak.