Late to wake this day, Muchen lazed idly in the wake of his mother's warmth—she had already risen and left to work, but the babe was curled with the white rabbit pelt that had easily become a favorite of his father's gifts. He could not bother Touying as easily and readily as he could bother Kexin, so he clung to the traces of his father. When would he be old enough to go out with him?

A voice roused him from his dozing and he peeked outside of the entrance to the den with curious, wide blue eyes. Oh! A new person to meet?! He was meeting lots of new faces lately!

He quickly shook out his fur and grabbed the rabbit pelt to take with him, scampering from the den to display it proudly to the pretty lady that had called a greeting.

Hello! he beamed at her, placing the white pelt before him. His speech was not great, picking up what he could from listening and talking to his parents, but he hadn't quite grasped the concept of introductions.

Look this! he said, patting the pelt. Pretty! Like you! She was a wash of warm colors that contrasted the inky coats of his parents, although not as vivid as his friend Kyoami's.