Magpie

have courage

Oblivious to Zanon’s thought process or how pleased her greeting had made him, Magpie continued on in ignorant anxiety, pale eyes wide as she tensed, as though ready to cringe. Even after spending so many months with the older male, it was hard to shake the first almost two years of her life. Requests had never been met well and so it was natural for the golden girl to expect a rather harsh response. But as Zanon grinned and assured them both that begging wasn’t necessary, hope bloomed across her anxious features and before Zanon had even finished extending an invite to Lefteris, Magpie was bouncing on her front paws again, her rump wiggling with the force of her wagging tail. It didn’t matter that they were homeless, not really. Magpie had always been homeless. It was more important to her that she have those she cared about close to her. With an uncharacteristic show of enthusiasm, Mags bounced her way back to Lefteris, eyes sparkling like opals. However once she got there, unfamiliar with playful behavior, she awkwardly bumped into his shoulder and snorted, her tail still wagging.

Though Zanon wasn’t finished speaking and when he used a rather unflattering description of the new ruler of Iromar, her head snapped around, eyes narrowing as her bouncing ceased and her tail stilled. She’d never met the wolf and certainly was not happy with losing the first home she’d ever had but she wasn’t a fan of harsh language either. NOr did she like Zanon speaking about one of her few friends the way he was. ”I’m sure Adrian had a perfectly good reason to do what she did.” Mags insisted, her voice firm yet still somehow soft. ”She is my friend.” They had met on the moors and Adrian had been kind to her, showing her the beauties of Iromar. Besides, she hadn’t seemed particular hostile, just adamant that Magpie leave and take Lefteris with her. It made no sense and certainly she didn’t want to believe that her friend was a traitor; she was sure that Adrian was different, like Zanon and Lefteris were different.

Tilting her head as Zanon departed with the information about Taviora’s queen, she studied the dark wolf, the twitches of the muscles in his face, the way his voice seemed to bite. Iromar was his home more than it had ever been Magpie’s and knowing how she felt about losing it, she couldn’t imagine how much worse he must feel. Instantly her ire at his language and accusations evaporated. Her heart felt heavy in her chest as she drew her own conclusions about his anger and frustration being rooted in uncertainty and pain. When he turned the subject of their uncertain future back to Mags and her newfound companion Lefteris, she didn’t hesitate. Moving toward Zanon far more sedately than she had before, Magpie once again tucked herself under Zanon’s chin, still just barely small enough to do so. Turning, she settled herself on her haunches, nearly sitting on his paws and hunched slightly to avoid headbutting his chin. ”I go where Zanon goes. Lefteris, please say you’ll stay with me? I’d like to know you better.” The thought of him not being around was oddly alarming, especially given that she’d not even known him a full day. There was just something about him that drew her, calmed her and made her a little giddy all at the same time.