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With each stride their paws beat against the earth. Somewhere ahead of them was the spotted little boy. The rush of his pawsteps were soft when compared to their own.

But he was there, somewhere, and Arlen was going to catch him.

Sucking in a deep breath, Arlen tucked their head and powered up the hill. Their gaze lowered to the ground between their feet, they tuned their ears to the world around them. There wasn't much to hear past their own breathing and the thud of their paws. Concentrating harder, they searched for the boy's paws.

Wait... where were they?

Hitting the brakes, Arlen planted their paws into the soil. Steadying their breathing, Arlen pinched their eyes shut and listened again.

No little pawsteps to be heard.

Wisening up to a change in the game, Arlen opened their eyes and glanced around them. The little explorer must have been hiding nearby.

Hrmmmmm. Arlen took a page from their father's book, and hammed it up. Sweeping their nose above the ground, they huffed and puffed with exaggerated sniffs to catch the boy's cold scent. With a great show, the Bearclaw stalked over to a stone that was simply impossible to hide under, flipping it over with dramatic flair. Arlen stomped the ground in mock defeat before rallying their strength once more.

Shoot! You're a clever boy, but I'll find you yet!

And, truth be told, they meant it. Playing as they were, a competitive edge had taken root within their heart. Perhaps the seed had always been there, sown the day they were born. Indigo eyes swept the environment, searching for a flash of white fur or a scuffed trail in the dirt.