She focuses on the good. What little there is. It feels like it’s been such a long time since she had anything remotely pleasant in her life. Even if it only lasts for a minute, it’s enough. It gives her time to rest, which has also been a long time coming. Echidna constantly kept on the go, running from her problems and mistakes. It was only way she survived, kept her mind clear. But right now, she was at peace, she could breathe. The air didn’t feel so tight in her lungs anymore and she’s grateful. Takes a deep breath. He looks like he might be in the same boat, this whole thing leading up to one collective sigh of relief for both of them.

When she apologizes, it’s nice he tells her it isn’t necessary. He confirms he feels good about this new situation and that alone is enough to make her smile. It would take some getting used to but she would figure it all out. She tells him it’s getting late and he agrees and she thinks about how she doesn’t want to go quite yet – but she throws him a request. It’s met with what seems to be a mutual feeling, which was good, they made a good team in hunting if nothing else.

Echidna looks at him for a moment and then she’s moving to stand up. She tosses hair from her eyes, clutching her clothes in her hands. “These aren’t going to do me any good,” she says in an almost lament but not really, clothes were easy to come by. She needed them only when she went into town anyway, otherwise she preferred to not even bother with them. Echidna drops them onto the ground and with one slick movement shifts into her jaguar form.

The spotted cat stretches, tail in the air, claws scratching the dirt. Her mouth is open to show off all those dangerously sharp teeth. Echidna licks her mouth, her ear flicks at a gnat. I hang around here mostly, whenever you want to hang out just drop in. Echidna says to him. She nods to herself because it was best to keep it open ended, let him do what he wanted. The old war horse has wandered off deeper into the forest, to pick the sweeter grasses covered in dew. Echidna might find her tomorrow or the day after, the mare came and went usually.

I’ll catch you later, Quinn. The jaguar says and turns away, trots off towards the trees and climbs swiftly up into one.