Lets Dance An Irish Jig

Regulus padded slowly along the shore, following it to the point where the sea was shallowest between the Island Ganja lived on and the mainland. He’d skirted around the borders of pack lands to reach this point, and crossed through a swamp. His large paws were caked in the muck, and her even had a bit caked in his belly fur. And some very uncomfortable places. His tail was just as thickly matted with the stuff, and he thought, absently, that he would be glad to get into the water for once. His minor phobia of water had mellowed down, and as his toes touched the waves, he didn’t even flinch. He’d reached the crossing point, and as he stepped deeper, he called out for his green friend, letting her know he was there with a howl that said he would no longer speak in fear of the pubescent squeaking and cracking. It had become a deep, baritone croon, warm and rich.

He didn’t attempt to avoid the water, instead crouching to ensure his filthy fur got a good washing of salt water. By the time he reached the opposite shore, most of the mud and muck had washed away. He paused to give his coat a hearty shake, spraying dirty water in all directions and leaving his bright red fur standing on end in spikes. It had darkened in the water to a freshly opened vein blood red. It would do for now; at least he smelled better. He ignored the icy chill that clung around his legs from his wet fur from swimming in Winter and made his way up the shore, sapphire eyes watching the jungle.

The male was truly beginning to come into his good looks and masculinity. He was even beginning to put on muscle and soar toward his full weight of two hundred pounds. He wondered how much she might have grown since the Festival. Maybe she’d had a growth spurt! He dropped his rump to the ground, ears perked and tail sweeping the sand; promptly growing matted with sand in place of mud. Cinder had stayed home this time, enamored with the pups, and helping keep the pair corralled, not that it would last long. It would just be Regulus and Ganja today. Plenty of time for play.