[His herd's here and the forest is over there? Somehow, the two concepts had always been mutually inclusive for Kieran. He had to respect Vinnie for being able to keep the two in balance; that had to be a sterling example of the flexibility Sawsbucks prized, after all.]

I'd be glad to call you friend. It's just as much comfort for me to know I'm not the only child of the forest here.

[Brace yourself, Vinnie. You've had deerface sniffing you out already, now it's time for the inverse: Kieran leans in and abruptly nuzzles Vinnie. Okay, scent glands don't transfer to well to a human form, but it's a gesture he's done often enough that it's just second nature.]