"I would love to go." He said it quietly, somewhat mournfully, scratching his shoulder up against the tree. "Who knows what's out there?"

---

"It would be wonderful to explore it all," she agreed wistfully, hooves pawing softly at the ground.  "Is there any way to stop the Ache, do you think?"

"I've heard that a group went out there once. So there must be some way." He shook his head at her, just a little bit, settling back down into a quiet stillness.

---

"Where is this group?  Can we ask them?"  Pale ears flicked forward as she asked, optimistic eagerness making her tone light and hopeful.

"I don't know." He blinked down at her, slowly, hesitating as he considered. "If you find out, though, let me know."

---

The doe smiled impishly, chin lifting.  "How do I find you again?  Do you live around here?"

He hesitated just a moment before looking back over his shoulder. "We have a grove. It's sheltered by stone on one side; not a cave, not quite, but...." He shrugged, attention turned back on her. "Just be careful. We set traps, sometimes."

---

Hey eyes flicked up to follow where he was looking, and she stepped forward, stopping at his side.  "Could you show me?"

Again, he hesitated, shifting a little where he stood before he nodded -- starting back through the trees toward where he and Nighteyes made a home.

---

Her impish little smile took on a pleased curve as turned to lead the way, and she quickly fell into step beside him, the feathers of her tail accidentally brushing against that dark flank as they walked.

Skybird dipped back down to make wide circles above them, twittering softly, and Merry offered a whistling chirrup in return.

His pace was slow, careful, maybe for her benefit -- whether she needed it or not. It had a protective edge, in its way. If he'd been a really good host, he might have asked her questions, or commented on .... anything. Instead, he was thoughtlessly silent.

---

It didn't seem like Merry minded much, she'd fill the quiet herself with melodic whistles and trills, harmonizing with Skybird until letting her take over the melody completely.  The doe singing along softly.

It was nice -- soothing. Badgerlock half closed his eyes and let Nighteyes lead them away through the woods. His home was cave-like, a carefully groomed nook set in against the stone, with edible plants growing around the edges.

hr]

The sing persisted all the way to the den, and thought she made no indication that she took notice of those half lidded eyes, the look on his face did not escape her notice.  In fact she was wearing a rather self-satisfied smile as the last notes of the melody faded.

A little shake of her head sent Skybird flying again, to set up in some nearby branches to wait.  "A lovely home," she mused as she strode closer, looking over the plants and the cave-like impression in the rock.

It was tidy, anyway. He looked around it briefly, considering, and then shrugged, stepping up to investigate the new growth on some of his vegetables.

---

Merry gave a delighted little hum as she wandered around.  Not shy, here, either.  She didn't have any hang ups about looking about the cozy den or the vegetables Badger was checking on.  "Bet it's nice not having to forager all the time."

"I've...done that, before." He shifted a little where he stood, almost embarrassed. "I didn't feel like I needed to, right now."

---

She gave a little hum that had threads of humor and self depreciation wearing through it, lips turned up in a soft smile.  "It's all I do.  I wander a lot, so no time for tending to anything like this."  Or maybe she just never found a nice little cave to call home.

He made a very soft sound of agreement, just watching her with his head cocked, very still again. Nighteyes disappeared into the entrance of their home, for the moment. "They're different kinds of lives."

---

"Yeah," she agreed, smiling softly down at the little garden before lifting her head to look up at him.  "We do what we must, yes?"

"That or fade away." He nodded back down at her, his expression very serious.

---

She hummed an agreement, head shaking to toss her hair back out of her face.  "Would you mind terribly if I paid you visits, just because?"  Of course she'd keep an ear open for any sign of the group they'd been talking about, but who knew when or even if they'd turn up.  She didn't want to wait that long.

It got a blink, surprised maybe -- puzzled for sure -- while Badgerlock processed that. "No, that'd be...fine."

---

Merry considered offering up some sort of reason; that she wanted to hear more shirts, or have him teach her how to grow her own food, and yes, she'd certainly like that.  Really though, she just wanted to see him again.  "I'd like that a lot."

"Yes." Not that the puzzled look faded. He stood and just watched her with his head cocked.

---

Her head tipped as she looked up at that puzzled expression, eyes going half lidded as she walked closer to him.  She was small enough to fit under his chin, and she did so now, head tipped back to drag her cheek along his throat as she walked past him.  "Good."

He blinked again, slow, watching her go: eyes dark and baffled in his face. "....be careful. I saw a boar the other day, to the east."

---

Merry tipped her head to look back at him with a smile and a little wink.  "I'll be careful."  The feathers of her tail flicked.  "See you around, Badgerlock."  Sooner, rather than later.  He was a buck Merry was eager to get to know better.

He watched her go, frowning in a puzzled sort of way while Nighteyes wound between his legs again -- before finally regaining focus to blink down at the wolf and pull himself away, back to his daily business.