His head came up. An indication that he heard, and acknowledged it was his name.

And, at last, he's ripped through the last vine. He quickly made his way back up the tree, his long arms allowing him to pull up and away from the vines before the could possibly recruit and counterattack.

And then, as he sat, looking down, it hit him. Calico. He was practically right next to her. And yet he couldn't look up at her. Not yet.