It felt a bit like pretending, still. Going through the motions. But Nate supposed several things could be true at once and it wasn't lying to decide which feelings, or impulses, to act on. So he let his tail keep wagging. Told himself this time he was the greenbroke horse, spooked by some shadow a thing and just needed coaxing through it to see himself to the other side.

Cecil might leave. But so far, Cecil had stayed. And now, Cecil was here.

Asking about rocks which... Nate didn't think he had any particularly good explanation for. I used to uh, keep 'em? In a little pouch, with some old coins from Pa and beads my Eduda gave me. And marbles. I figured... might be nice to have some shiny rocks, again.

Folk were building lodges. Digging dens. Nate supposed at some point maybe he ought to do the same, and it would be nice to have things to decorate with.