As I burst forth from the foliage, I saw her form duck and cower slightly, and I immediately withdrew slightly. The last thing I’d wanted to do was frighten my friend. But I was still very excited by her presence on my mountain, and I danced about her, giving her a moment to realize who I was as I rubbed my shoulder against hers. She peered up at me and the recognition dawned upon her features as she spoke my name almost as a question. In response I playfully jogged around her as she joined in the festivities of our reuniting. Both of our tails move with tremendous joy, and an excitable yip escapes my lips. After a moment though, Attila managed to still her form, and I was given to remember myself. The smile did not fade from my lips, nor did my banner cease its waving, but I finally stood still before my friend as she sat down. Her tail wrapped around her paws and she spoke of having reasoning for her visit. My head cocked ever so slightly to the side, curious, before I stepped forward and let my hindquarters fall to the earth. But still my tail wagged blissfully across the ground.

Her words caused my tail to thump against the ground and my jaw to split wide open, revealing the pink of my tongue in the widest grin I could muster. To share my home with her would make me so happy; and to know that she would always be near, to lighten my moods and for me to enjoy her company. “Of course, Attila!” I exclaimed, reaching forward and nudging my nose against her shoulder. It was only natural for me to accept her as one of my pack. Our fast friendship had been a sure sign that she was one that would meld well with my pack, no matter what she wished to become amongst our population.

My jaw closed then as she gazed around, and I joined her in this; looking out through the forest and into the beautiful boughs of the trees above. Eyes of mahogany returned to my friend as she asked me what the name of my mountain was. The name of the home she had come here to call her own. “Spirane.” I breathed the word as if it was some god, some religion to be revered. For the mountains of Spirane were a part of me, the roots of my very being, and a thing most close to my heart. And now I was able to share in this with my dear friend, she who made me feel so much younger than the years my experiences has hardened me to.