It really did seem strange to not have to dwell all that much on the future, or at least not on the far off future. He knew that he'd have to think about his short term future eventually but for now? Well, he liked to think that those in the free lands didn't need to worry about those kinds of things - politics, blood, honor, all that stuff. He liked to focus on just the now: was he hungry? Tired? Bored? It was simpler. It felt more right. Or perhaps his youth had merely dictated that he feel more content with less on his proverbial plate. Belly up and sun down, he had little to complain about.

Even when he heard the sound of paws, he did little more than huff and settle more into his position; as far as he knew, bears and cougars wouldn't bother with the island. Imagine his surprise, then, when a shadow cast over him and the familiar voice of another cut the silence; the tone of the male's voice instantly captured Israfel's attention, his eyes shooting open and meeting those of Jackdaw. Israfel instantly frowned as he rolled over onto his side, glaring up with an indignant sigh: "And do old losers spend all day just creeping around?" He shot back, half his face twisted up in amusement at his own words.

When Jackdaw spoke again, Israfel's eyes slowly drifted down to the trio of prairie dogs; his brow lifted up, an inkling of mischief as he rose to his paws and roughly shook free from the grass and sand that coated his fur. Then, with an exaggerated bow of agreement, he plodded towards the prairie dogs before lowering his muzzle to them. "It was awfully kind of you," he began, glancing up at Jackdaw with a wave of his tail, "to bring me some food. I was getting quite famished!" With that, he grabbed two of the animals and leapt back, pivoting instantly and taking off at a sprint. Of course, he was still young and so, he held little chance of ever keeping ahead; he wanted to challenge the male though. He remembered him. Israfel figured that if he had considered himself so good, he had to have something to back that up!

And so, he wheeled along the water's edge with the prairie dogs dangling from his jaws. His strides were long and cumbersone, his tail waving excitedly despite his halfhearted efforts; hell, he even managed to chuckle behind the prey in his mouth.