They both had their issues from things in the past and trying to cope with them in the future. It was a pleasing thing that Solitaire had earned himself a spot that he had sought for so long for. Malleah could be useful in a pack if she tried but she had not the patience for such a thing yet nor the inclination. It had crossed her mind that it would be useful, at least, to have a pack to stay with during the winter months. They were harsh at times and they both knew that her size meant she led a more difficult, meager lifestyle. Food was not hard to come by in the summer months and Malleah was quite skilled at fishing if she managed to not catch a land animal. The one thing about her size meant she was swift but she had terrible luck and timing during most of her hunts. It took extreme concentration and finesse which she seemed to lack in that category. Throw her into a den with a semi-nice male, however, and she could create the kind of harmony that she had been desiring all along. Free meals, clean den, and warmth. Just no love, not really.

She feels happy in the presence of the male. Solitaire did not expect things from her. Not once had he demanded that she return all his help with some form of payment. It was odd having such a free relationship with another that was not dependent on who had what and what another would do to obtain it. Besides, he kept coming back to her teasing and playful manner and she had grown relaxed in his company. He was a handsome fellow in his own right and now that she had befriended him she was stuck on the idea that he had to remain her friend - even if he didn't know it.

A brilliant grin lights up her face at his offer, tail swishing across the ground rapidly. "Well I'll certainly do what I can to help. I'm not much in the way of plants but if you teach me some then I can collect what I find for you sometime as well." As much as she would like to take him up on the free food (and she likely would at any time), she also wanted to feel as if she were giving back to him. Collecting plants seemed a very easy task compared to what she normally did to survive.

"I bet in spring you will be busy with all the pregnant mothers and the pups. What about you, Solitaire? Got yourself any ideas for children this spring?" This is said in her normal saucy manner, a wink and a mischievous grin at him intended to make him shy a little just because she could. It was all harmless fun and she figured he would know her well enough by now to accept him. Then she is turning and leading him back to her den on quick paws with a flashing grin over her shoulder until she comes a small foxhole that is at the base of little hill. It is tiny, the entrance, but enough that if she crawls she can get through and she stares at it proudly before looking at him with tail wagging.

"It is small enough, don't you think? To keep out those I don't want, I mean. The tunnel runs back a bit and it opens up. I think it will keep me warm this winter, much better than those caverns and with less chance of someone coming to interrupt me. There is a back way out towards the creek too in case this side gets snowed in." She seems proud now, puffing up as she looks at it as if SHE had built it when in reality she had merely added a few changes and called it hers.