He stared at the fish for a moment or two as it flopped around, before he looked up when the tan and cream figure came back into his line of sight. Happily, he thumped his tail against the ground, happy for the praise even though he knew he'd done the lesser part of the job. It was nice to be acknowledged as a good team mate in the very least, and he was glad he hadn't screwed up. He cared very much what others thought of him, and judged his own worth by how others acted toward him. As of yet, it hand't become that great of an issue, but the fact that this need existed at all was a sign that Mercy had suffered while he'd been living out in the wild, trying to take care of Aponi. And with a mother who was addicted to scouting and her job, he found the need to please others often controlled his life.

For now, though, he was steady and pleased that they'd caught a fish. They were both quite wet still, and he understood now that the joke he'd made about shaking wet fur off in the den was actually what she meant for him to do. Pleasantly surprised with himself once more, Mercy nodded at her suggestion and bowed his head in thanks as she picked up the fish as they headed toward his new den.