Seeking Attie

Attie couldn’t help but grin as she trotted along, steps light but quick as she wove her way between shrubs, trying to leave as little trail behind as possible.

She swerved suddenly, darting ahead as she heard her mate’s bark ring out to announce he was coming in search of her. A rock rose from among a crop of bushes, and she jumped, landing lightly on it and sliding down the otherside before hunkering down into the leaves, ears laying back against her head to ensure they didn’t poke out and give her away.

It might seem odd, and they certainly didn’t play this game often, but occasionally hiding from one another and searching was quite fun. If nothing else, it certainly helped them find small nooks and crannies of their home they would otherwise overlook entirely.

She could hear Ody’s racing steps, and then he ran right past her.

She grinned to herself, amusement flickering through her even as she shifted to settle more comfortably and wait for him to discover her hiding place.

He would, eventually, of that she was certain. But how long it would take… Well, that was any fox’s guess really.

Meanwhile, Ody paused from where he’d been running, ears perked and tail flicking as he looked around for any sign of his mate.

Not seeing any clear indication of where she’d gone, he carried on at a slower pace, ducking his head as he started to peek into some of their favorite hiding spots. But still, no sign of his mate…

That was fine, Attie had to have found somewhere around here. Hopefully.

He huffed a little to himself, trotting towards the border of their home. She loved that area, enjoyed watching the humans. It wouldn’t surprise him if she’d decided to tuck herself away somewhere she could watch them just for the simple joy of something to pass the time while she waited for him to find her.

Still, as he made his way along the clear stone, hearing the coos of humans as they watched him, he couldn’t catch any hint of his mate, not even her scent.

He glanced at the humans watching him, offering them one last look and a flick of his ear, before he bounded back the way he’d come.

She had definitely come this way… So where had she gone?

He looked around as he walked, frown thoughtful but pronounced.

He paused to wiggle into a particularly thick bush, but there was no trace of Attie. Ducking back out, he blinked at a rock.

Maybe if he got up there he could see her?

It seemed like a good idea.

Smiling to himself now, he bounded over and jumped up, pausing there to look around.

He still didn’t see anything…

He crouched, preparing to jump down, when a soft noise from below him caught his attention.

He looked down.

Attie peered back up at him, barely contained giggles shaking her form as her eyes gleamed with mirth.

He yipped, jumping down to pounce on her. She rolled with it, the two of them bouncing apart as they grinned at each other.

“I thought you were gonna miss me,” she murmured, teasing in her voice as her tail swished and she vibrated with barely contained amusement.

“Almost did,” he admitted a little sheepishly, moving forward to press their noses together again for a moment. “That was a good spot,” he acknowledged before taking several strides away from her. “My turn now though.”

“Right,” she murmured, ducking down and closing her eyes.

Ody grinned, bounding off to find a hiding spot of his own.