Dogwood Strath last man on earth

@Skookum

The boy had never wandered very far from home but the tension that seemed to lay thick in the air back home forced him to find somewhere more silent. He went north until the sun had settled down, the light of dusk barely enough for the boy to figure out where he had stumbled. All that he really had to go off of was the silence that settled over him. He had found wherever he had been intending to go. So the boy settled down under a baren tree. There was no need to travel any further.

Amber eyes closed as he hummed softly, not even thinking twice about being in a vulnerable position. In fact he thought about nothing. His mind didn't focus on all the ill feelings back home, missing or sick family, or even what someone might do when they discovered the Archer boy had become absent. Not that he figured they'd notice in the first place. Everyone seemed so busy in affairs he did not concern himself with.

Skookum was becoming rather fed up with smarmy, sass-mouthed cubs who just looked at him like some pitiful old geezer. One annoyance of many he'd thought he'd escape since leaving his pack, but by the looks of it even out here annoying little brats seemed to be dangling from the trees. Or rather, sprouting from their roots. For that reason, Skookum nearly turned on his toes and started walking in the opposite direction when his eyes caught on the lad nestled between the roots of a tree that looked nearly as old and withered as Skookum felt sometimes.

But with a moments hesitation before Skookum beat a swift retreat from the youngster, the old wolf noticed that the kid didn't move, or even open his eyes. Skookum's silver brows furrowed, gnawing on the inside of his cheek as he debated with himself just checking if the kid hadn't died and frozen in place. At the least, he deserved a proper burial.

But as Skookum softly tread closer, he noticed the slight rise and fall of the young wolf's ribcage, a telltale whisp of breath escaping into the brisk winter air. He was definitely alive at least, but he couldn't help the nagging thought that caused him to call out, "Hey, kid, you doin' alright?"

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

One amber eye opened to peer out from the pale patch on the boy's face. Standing there against the ivory world was a dark male who seemed to be about his parents' age. That alone was enough to make Roman not be flooded with dread of being found. Well, along with the question that fell from the older male's mouth.

"I think so." He hummed softly. "Just needed somewhere more silent than home." His voice was soft and a bit hoarse from the lack of use but honest nonetheless. Romanov didn't move from his position very much, merely lifting his head and letting both eyes open instead of just the one.

"Can I help you any?" The Archer boy was new to this area but he was still willing to lend a paw. He had been raised to be polite thanks to both of his parents. That was when both had still been around.

It's Only Dark.

"Hmm," Skookum grunted in response, noting that rather than a 'yes' he was given an 'i think so' and hearing the doubt that held. As the youth continued, Skookum was well familiar with the sentiment of needing some peace and quiet. After all, his need for solitude was so great it had brought him out into remote wilderness as a result, living his nomadic lifestyle, where it had been weeks since Skookum had ran into another wolf. He didn't get lonely, per se, and he had to admit it was refreshing to run into a pup that wasn't entirely abrasive and annoying.

Skookum shook his heavy head roughly as the white-marked youth asked if he needed anything. "Nope, just passing through," He said, weight leaning into his toes as he began to turn around. He wasn't sure what it was that made him linger, perhaps it was that hollow cast to the boy's golden eyes. He resettled his weight as he paused, mouth hesitating open before he spoke, "but do you need any help?" He pressed in return.

Romanov wasn't sure when - or if - he had heard such a relaxed answer. It was...nice? He didn't feel any pressure or threat to be of assistance to someone who was simply passing through. The Archer was content to let the male keep going on his way. It seemed the two of them had answered each other's questions with satisfactory answers.

But oh. There was another question that caused the boy to think in silence for a few moments. How did Roman answer such a question without possibly being a burden to the stranger? "I...think I might?" He responded, his words more of a question rather than a solid answer. "I'm just not exactly sure how." Truthfully the boy could use help in many places of his life. Finding a missing mother, soothing the tensions back home, finding his own footing. The boy had honestly stopped caring for himself like he should have. Whoops.

"Are you any good at finding wolves?" He asked softly with a tilt of his head.

(This post was last modified: Jan 25, 2018, 05:44 AM by Romanov.)

It's Only Dark.