The king of these sunny lands was perched atop the cliff, his legs hanging over the edge so that the salty breeze could whip between his toes. He was comfortable here, peering fearlessly down the dizzying height to the beach below the clifftop forest. A foolish seagull had tried to perch on the collie-dog's head, and it was now a crunchy snack for the opportunistic monarch. He was always one to appreciate stupid prey.
His glinting black eyes caught a glimpse of movement on the shore below him, and he squinted keenly, trying to make out the silver-gold shape on the sands. The colors were familiar, but it could not be... his petite soleil had left him to go sailing again, had she not? He did not blame her for letting her wayward nature get the better of her, but it had stung his pride that she had chosen to leave him (and Svara too, a few short days later!). They had trouble keeping their women here, it seemed. Haven's coyote princess had abandoned them, too. But women were flighty, impulsive... it wasn't their fault that they could not commit to anything other than themselves.
Feeling pleased with the chauvinist joke he had invented, Jac rose to his footpaws, picking the last white feathers from between his teeth. If it was the fiery Firefly, then he would not be the last one to greet her. Perhaps he would pretend to be upset with her, to see her reaction. She was, after all, almost as proud as he was... Maybe he could trick her into apologizing. His tail lashed playfully behind him as he dashed around the edge of the cliff, streaming fur blazing in the sunlight. By the time he reached the hot sand of the coast, Leroy and Haven had drawn up to her, cautious optimism written on their colorful faces.
He was about to tap the Sadira woman on the shoulder to startle her, when an impatient whinny brayed from beside him. The spindly-legged mustang filly had found him... The young horse had adopted Jac as a surrogate mother when her own mother died, and the needy little paint was driving him up a wall... literally. He had climbed the cliff knowing full well that the foal could not follow him. She disapprovingly nipped him on the elbow, beady eyes glaring accusingly. He flashed his fangs at her, an empty threat, before turning back shamelessly to his former packmate. "Bonjour, mademoiselle Firefly... What brings you back to our shores?"