kaleidoscope

Redrum wandered the edge of the celebration, his muscles twitching less frequently now that he had delivered his gift. His anxiety still bubbled beneath the surface, but the sensation of being watched had lessened. He found a quiet spot against a stone wall, the rough texture grounding him as he sank down, his back pressed firmly against the cool surface. From here, he had a good view of the crowd, allowing him to watch with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

His golden eyes flicked over the scene, catching glimpses of wolves moving about with ease and familiarity that he envied. He watched as a few wolves passed around a glass bottle, and others sipped from horns, their laughter and chatter blending into the background noise. The scent of whatever they were drinking wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aromas of spring and the myriad of flowers decorating the Steppes. Bitter-smelling drink, that was.

Redrum's curiosity piqued as he observed their behavior. Some wolves seemed more animated after drinking, their movements more fluid and their laughter louder. He wondered what it was they were drinking and what effect it had on them. His predatory gaze tracked a particularly lively group, noting the way their eyes sparkled and their tails wagged with uninhibited joy.

Despite his wariness, a part of him longed to understand and maybe even join in, but his social ineptitude held him back. He watched the bottle pass from paw to paw, contemplating whether he should muster the courage to approach and try it for himself. His claws tapped against the ground, his body tense with indecision.

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