I let the rabbit hop around and waited, trusting in my crow friend. It didn’t take long before I heard branches snapping and low growling. 

I stood up instinctively, my fight or flight activating. I relaxed when I saw the crow guiding the cougar forward, flitting around it and landing on its head only briefly. The cougar was trying its hardest to knock him down with its paws. It growled whenever it failed. 

“Quit teasing it!” I exclaimed. 

Both animals stopped to look at me. The crow flew away from the cougar, finally leaving it alone. The cougar stood still, staring at me from several feet away. I could only stare back for a moment, both of us waiting for the other to make the first move and set the tone for our second interaction. 

I snapped myself out of it, I came here for peace and friendship and if the cougar had other ideas, I couldn’t let it act first. I quickly turned to grab the meat. 

“I have a snack for you,” I said. “If you want it, that is. I was hoping this could be something like a peace offering. We don’t have to become friends just yet. Let’s just not attack each other, okay?” 

I looked at the cougar for an answer although I knew it probably wouldn’t give me one. It took a hesitant step forward but continued to stay still. 

I unwrapped the meat and laid it on the ground. “Go ahead and try it. I’m going to get deer meat later so don’t feel obligated to eat this right now.” 

I took several steps back and waited. The cougar stared at me for a moment longer before looking at the meat. Then it made careful steps forward. I held my breath as it sniffed around the meat. Then it licked it. Then it took a bite. 

I felt relieved when it was chewing happily on the meat. I didn’t dare get any closer and the rabbit stuck near my feet the whole time. The crow was perched on my father’s statue, watching everything. 

Once the cougar finished its snack, it licked its chops and sat down. It proceeded to groom its face with its paw. I couldn’t help thinking about how cute it was. It was still a cat even if it was larger than the average housecat. 

“I’m glad you liked it!” I said. “Let’s try to get along from now on, okay?” I couldn’t stop smiling. 

The cougar stared at me for a moment before continuing to groom itself. The crow cawed and swooped down onto my shoulder. He tilted his head as if to ask where his snack was. 

“Oh… I was so focused on getting the cougar’s snack that I didn’t bring anything else.” 

The crow went oddly still and stared at me while I stared at him. Then he raised his wings and let out an ear-piercing caw. I knew what was coming before it happened but I was too late to stop it. The crow pecked right at my face. 

“Ow ow ow! Stop!!” I shielded my face with my hand but that did nothing to stop the crow’s assault. “I’m sorry, okay! I’ll get you a snack! Just let me get back to the palace first!” 

He cawed once more right in my ear then flew upwards. I looked at my hand that now looked like I pet a porcupine. Thankfully he didn’t break my skin but it looks like it was close. Never again will I forget to bring snacks for him… 

I glanced at the cougar who was now unabashedly staring at me. The way he sat and watched me was almost cute. Am I insane for thinking a predator that could tear me apart is cute? I put my hand up in a wave. 

“I’ll come back with deer meat in about a week. I hope you’ll wait for me.” 

The cougar only stared but it licked its chops once more as if it understood. I beamed before turning away and heading back to the palace. I heard the crow caw above me, following me like I knew he would. The rabbit followed close and I had to make sure not to trip over him.