Nate had been so entirely focused on the fawn, he hadn't noticed the approach of another until they brushed his side. Leaping like a cat, Nate strangled back a yelp that would no doubt have brought the doe bearing down on them in matriarchal vengeance and clenched his jaw so tight his teeth squeaked.

Blinked.

This was undoubtedly a stranger. Or at least, a newcomer he'd not yet met. Unless death had robbed him of memories, or he'd finally gone insane, which he supposed were possible, too.

Nate cleared his throat, trying to retrieve some sense of dignity from the far reaches of his mind, and offered a grin that was a little apologetic. Mostly apologetic.

You scared me half to death, there. His whisper greeted, laughing softly. Glanced back to the washout. It's a, uh, fawn. Stuck down the slope. Can't climb out. Back to the stranger, Have we — met?