11/14/2025, 3:24 AM
The boy dove into her arms, readily taking the helping hand she offered. A paw curved around the boy's shoulders as the wolf looked down at the lost child. When her gaze lifted upward to assess the situation, Juniper could scarcely believe her eyes. She touched her wrist to her muzzle and sucked in her cheeks. Each movement designed to hide the ever growing smile that dared to twist her lips. She was at least successful in suppressing the laugh that bubbled up in her chest.
A rather angry, and frankly audacious, hare was the beast giving the boy a run for his money. Truthfully, they hadn't seen anything quite like it. Such boldness would usually get a prey animal killed for its trouble, but against a little boy, they supposed that even a hare could be a mighty adversary. Juniper knew well enough that even hares had claws that one shouldn't sneeze at. They found their gaze lowering back to Southeast, amusement playing across their face.
Oakwood eyes lingered on the boy. His tan pelt was poorly kept, but his adult coat was starting to come in. Vestiges of pup fluff curled around his cheeks and throat, broken up by they growing guard hairs. He appeared both large for his age, but terribly underweight. A flash of guilt crossed Juniper's mind. As outlandish as the situation was, he did have every right be scared. This hare was simply a shining example of how individualistic some animals could be.
Juniper allowed her gaze to switch back to the hare. The animal seemed to be held at bay by her presence, and she could see in those dark, beady eyes its nerve was faltering. With a swipe of her tongue across her nose, Juniper pulled back her lips and gave the hare a nasty bark. For good measure she jumped to her feet, and, as she anticipated, the hare scampered off. Even the boldest of hares understood that a full grown wolf was a threat. It crossed her mind to give chase, to catch the hare so the boy may see that even the boldest of hares could be subdued, but she instead coughed politely and settled back on her haunches. The fearsome expression she had moments before replaced by one that conveyed her curiosity.
Where was this boy's family? He was not a druid's child, that much was certain. Wherever did he come from?
A rather angry, and frankly audacious, hare was the beast giving the boy a run for his money. Truthfully, they hadn't seen anything quite like it. Such boldness would usually get a prey animal killed for its trouble, but against a little boy, they supposed that even a hare could be a mighty adversary. Juniper knew well enough that even hares had claws that one shouldn't sneeze at. They found their gaze lowering back to Southeast, amusement playing across their face.
Oh, what trouble you have found, hm? Even small beasts protect their spaces.
Oakwood eyes lingered on the boy. His tan pelt was poorly kept, but his adult coat was starting to come in. Vestiges of pup fluff curled around his cheeks and throat, broken up by they growing guard hairs. He appeared both large for his age, but terribly underweight. A flash of guilt crossed Juniper's mind. As outlandish as the situation was, he did have every right be scared. This hare was simply a shining example of how individualistic some animals could be.
Oh yes, they can certainly be cute, but I think you've simply angered an oddball.
Juniper allowed her gaze to switch back to the hare. The animal seemed to be held at bay by her presence, and she could see in those dark, beady eyes its nerve was faltering. With a swipe of her tongue across her nose, Juniper pulled back her lips and gave the hare a nasty bark. For good measure she jumped to her feet, and, as she anticipated, the hare scampered off. Even the boldest of hares understood that a full grown wolf was a threat. It crossed her mind to give chase, to catch the hare so the boy may see that even the boldest of hares could be subdued, but she instead coughed politely and settled back on her haunches. The fearsome expression she had moments before replaced by one that conveyed her curiosity.
The hare is gone, but what were you doing crawling about in its burrow, have you no home to return to?
Where was this boy's family? He was not a druid's child, that much was certain. Wherever did he come from?
