Morning, partly sunny. 8*F, -15*C
*Note: Shunka is in the early phases of hypothermia*
Fate never seemed to give him a break, did it? He was convinced that from the earliest days of his life, a curse had been placed upon his soul. Clinging tightly like a veil of corrupt darkness, refusing to relinquish it's hold, no matter how hard he struggled. What he had done to deserve such a mess of a life, he would never understand. Shunka had been the ideal child any parent could ask for. He had been energetic, mild mannered, obedient and a good pupil. He had never caused mischief, or stirred up trouble amongst his siblings. Perhaps that was the reason...that he had been almost too perfect.
He had made his way south in the recent weeks, cautiously weaving through this great new land called Relic Lore. He was still on edge, his daily panic attacks ready to sneak up on him at any moment. But at least he was no longer jumping out of his skin at the slightest sound or suspicious little sight. Going it alone was tough in these harsh winter months. He had to push through, to make it till spring, when prey would be more easy to come by. But again, luck was just out of reach for the lone male. His success in catching a bite sized meal was at an all time low, and his body condition was beginning to go downhill. His thick tawny coat had grown unkempt and patchy in spots, his waistline thinning. All signs that this was a wolf having a tough time of it.And on top of it all, just two days ago, he began to feel ill. His throat burned, his chest ached and his nose was running. His winter coat seemed useless when his body began to shiver uncontrollably. His normally powerful, thick legs felt like they were made of jelly. Every last drop of energy was sapped from his body. Shunka had barely been able to find what looked like a safe place to hunker down. The long abandoned den would have to do for a few days, until he recovered. Inside, he remained curled up in a tight ball of fur, away from the elements. Trying to get warm, to ignore the waves of nausea which were now a constant presence. Surely a space such as this would be warm enough to stop a case of the chills. It wasn't. No matter what he did, or how long he waited, he wasn't getting any better.