Jigano was smug at succeeding at his nose boop. Vengeance was sweet – and a little adorable, even he had to admit. But it was well worth the warmth of Rory’s laugh. The tears were gone from his eyes, and there were fewer shadows haunting him now. But the night was cold and dark, and the hunter needed warmth and food and rest, and he lived so very far away. As much as the fox wanted to continue their games, he was more concerned with his friend’s safety and comfort now that the man had found a reason to smile again.
White ears cocked forward at the regret he heard, and Jigano cocked his head to the side sympathetically. He agreed whole-heartedly, but the weather was too cold for the human to stay out unprotected. If he had a furry form that he could run in to stay warm… Ah, but that was wishful thinking, and didn’t help either of them. He rose to his feet and gave himself a good shake to settle his fur as Rory readied his horse for travel, but he lifted his chin happily for parting scratches, eyes closing in bliss even though the mittens deadened the feel of clever fingers finding the spots he hadn’t even realized where itchy until sweet relief spread from Rory’s touch.
He’d been planning on accompanying the hunter for a ways, making sure he got home safely, but he’d assumed it would be on his own four feet. At the unexpected offer he froze, ears perking forward and nose quivering as he looked from the horse back to the man. It would let him rest his paws and warm them up a bit. He’d have a long run home afterwards and it would be nice to be fresh for it…
He turned away, but only to get a little more distance before he started his run, muscles bunching beneath fur as he found his momentum and then leapt up behind Rory, using the saddle blanket to catch his claws on and steady himself. Dropping down almost immediately he draped himself across the pony’s croup. It was a little awkward, but Talys warmed his belly nicely, and he pressed tight against Rory’s back to share a little more warmth with his friend, too, while they traveled.
White ears cocked forward at the regret he heard, and Jigano cocked his head to the side sympathetically. He agreed whole-heartedly, but the weather was too cold for the human to stay out unprotected. If he had a furry form that he could run in to stay warm… Ah, but that was wishful thinking, and didn’t help either of them. He rose to his feet and gave himself a good shake to settle his fur as Rory readied his horse for travel, but he lifted his chin happily for parting scratches, eyes closing in bliss even though the mittens deadened the feel of clever fingers finding the spots he hadn’t even realized where itchy until sweet relief spread from Rory’s touch.
He’d been planning on accompanying the hunter for a ways, making sure he got home safely, but he’d assumed it would be on his own four feet. At the unexpected offer he froze, ears perking forward and nose quivering as he looked from the horse back to the man. It would let him rest his paws and warm them up a bit. He’d have a long run home afterwards and it would be nice to be fresh for it…
He turned away, but only to get a little more distance before he started his run, muscles bunching beneath fur as he found his momentum and then leapt up behind Rory, using the saddle blanket to catch his claws on and steady himself. Dropping down almost immediately he draped himself across the pony’s croup. It was a little awkward, but Talys warmed his belly nicely, and he pressed tight against Rory’s back to share a little more warmth with his friend, too, while they traveled.
