Dark, shining eyes reflected Reid's awe-struck features back to him as he breathed a plume of fog into the breeze and the cow did the same. Instinct warned him of sharp hooves and the way the elk easily outweighed him, so Reid stayed carefully and uncharacteristically still even while snow crunched under the pawsteps of another. An oversized ear twitched, then swiveled to face behind him, attentive to his mother as her voice broke the frozen silence.

The cow remained utterly still except the measured swell of her side with her breath while the she-wolf approached her young. A shudder ran down her tan hide, before a careful step put a fraction more distance between the predator and prey. Another, then another, until the elk finally felt confident in turning to continue meandering with cautious calm deeper into the shadows of the pine. Reid watched her go idly, tilted his head into Svajone's orbit as his mother drew close enough for him to press into her warmth. It was cold out here, indeed! But Svajone carefully put herself between him and the worst of the wind, gaze watchful as the elk withdrew, and Reid stomped along in the snow, mostly oblivious to these tiny gestures that kept him safe and warm and cared for, but certainly appreciative of them.

Scuze, (Sorry,) Mama. The robin replied dutifully. The scolding was so gentle it could almost be missed on someone who couldn't note the faint tense quality to Svajone's voice, the way she drew close to Reid to answer an instinct to shield, to tend. A little too aware of his mother's fondness for him, he rose onto his hind paws and gave her cheek an apologetic peck to smooth things over further. Back on all fours, and with the elk's circular rump marking disappearing from view, the boy dipped into a brief playbow. I was trying t' see the blue. Wasn't she cool! Not half 's scary as a bear, though.

Svajone's quiet order was followed without question. High-stepping, spirited pawsteps exuded the energy the robin was often gripped by these days, but with careful control to keep him pressed up against Svajone's pelt obediently.