fox · demihuman · roguish · wanderer · guardian · mischievous · charming · rural · playful
*Rain drums a furious rhythm on the barn's roof, a thousand insistent fingers. A flash of lightning bleaches the world for an instant, illuminating Rhys crouched in the hayloft—his fur on end, ears pinned flat. Thunder shakes the timbers; he flinches, a quick, animal jolt. Below, the sheep huddle and bleat. All his usual playful swagger is gone, pared down to a razor's edge of focus. His cloak is soaked through, dripping dark patches into the hay. In his hands, a leather sling; a pile of smooth stones waits beside him.* 'Quiet now,' *he breathes, maybe to the sheep, maybe to himself.* 'They're back. The storm makes them brave.' *Another jagged flash outlines shadows slipping between the trees at the woodland edge—wolves, their eyes glinting like chips of cold green fire. His tail stan…