Clearwater Tarn down with the sickness

Strolling slowly through the shaded forest Lorcan was content to let his mind drift, breezing through his head like the pale grey clouds above. Golden eyes stared out blankly in front of him, not really paying much attention to where his muddied paws were leading him, instead relying on instinct and muscle memory to guide him through the maze of pine trees. 

It was during this period of aimless wandering that the leader's nose caught on to a familiar scent. It seemed young @Daesamar was around somewhere nearby. Lorcan blinked, his golden gaze refocusing as his russet ears pricked up with interest. It occurred to him then that he realised the dark yearling had been quiet lately, and much too distant compared to his usual rambunctious self. 

Frowning softly, the leader inhaled a lungful of crisp air before moving to trail after the scent of his subordinate, keen to see how he was fairing. 

He had intended to only rest briefly on the snow-covered ground. That had been the night previously when the youth had started to feel odd. The yearling had hoped that getting out of the pack’s den might help him clear his head. It had started with a dryness in his throat one that no amount of icy cool water from the lake could alleviate for long. Next, it had started to become harder and harder to smell, a fine film of mucus forming around his ebony nostrils.

He stirred where he had fallen asleep, bleary silver eyes blinking open as he looked up toward the sky when he had closed his eyes, the sun had been set, now, he groaned softly, his eyes widening, the sun was far in the sky. How long had he been out? A guilty grimace formed on his rubbery lips, he had to get back to the pack. He shifted, trying to stand, but he felt tired, exhausted, his body throbbing. Maybe if he rested a bit more, then he’d be well enough. He coughed, not once, but repeatedly, a small, violent fit before burying his face under his paw, another tired groan escaping.

It was as he stalked in towards to the yearlings location, spotting his large dark form curled up beneath the cover of the pine trees, that the unmistakable scent of sickness tingled his nose. The male's nostrils flared wildly, a grimace causing wrinkles to etch into his previous neutral expression, as he stepped in closer to inspect the condition of the younger male. 

Black-tipped tail waved with concern behind him though he approached @Daesamar, golden eyes searching for the boy's silver gaze. Straining his head forwards, Lorcan went to lean in to begin sniffing at the yearling's dark coat when he was suddenly startled by the coughing fit. The healer stumbled back a few paces, russet ears pricked up, golden eyes wide and hackles raised as he watched the male slump down and groan into his paws once the fit was over. 

Lorcan swept his tongue across his lips anxiously before stepping forwards again, his fur relaxing as he attempted to finally make contact with the younger male. If permitted, the leader would sweep his chin gently along the boy's head, an affectionate gesture meant to put his subordinate at ease. "Staying out here in the cold won't do you much good.." He rumbled, his pale brows furrowing as he looked down at the boy.

(This post was last modified: Apr 15, 2018, 05:00 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

He was tired, no matter how much he tried to rest, it just didn’t seem to help the youth at all. He was unaware of his leader’s presence until he felt the soft pressure press between his ears. He flinched at first, muscles tensing fearfully, his dull gaze shooting open in fear until he met Lorcan’s soft golden gaze. Once he realized who it was, a quiet whine escaped the bulky yearling. His eyes closing again as Lorcan spoke.

He tried to speak, his voice was harsh and rough, his sore throat aching with every word so he tried to keep it short as he grimaced in pain. “Yea,” he said, that alone had drawn a lot of effort from him, another short coughing fit interrupting him. Pausing, he spits some dark green mucus that his lungs had hacked up into the snow. “Didn’t mean to stay long.” he managed to croak out, the guilty look on his face evident, his crooked right ear angling backward as he closed his eyes.

Russet ears perked up in surprise as he noticed @Daesamar flinch at his touch. Black-tipped tail flicked once with caution behind him, though the smaller agouti male remained steadfast to his spot. It only took a moment for the younger male to realise it was him who had approached him and quickly relaxed, a submissive whine passing between his lips. Lorcan rumbled warmly again in acknowledgement, his golden eyes scanning the dark wolf over. 

The roughness of Daesamar's voice and the grimace that accompanied it made it clear to the healer that his newest pack member wasn't feeling his best, and the coughing fit that erupted from him right after made Lorcan suspect that the young male had been struck down with a cold. However, he had not expected the dark green mucous that the boy hacked up onto the snow. Lorcan visibly grimaced in disgust, his dark lips slapping together as he resisted the urge to gag at the sight of it. Perhaps it was more than just measly cold. 

Pale brows furrowing in concern, he leant forwards to nuzzle the boy's cheek and then nudge at his side again. "Come on, let's get you back to the den. It will be warmer in there and I can have a look at what plants I still have lying around..." Lorcan suggested with an optimistic smile before he took a few steps backwards to lead the way. In the back of his mind though, he was already trying to think of what he actually had that could help the male, for he knew he didn't have much and what he did have was already being offered to Pebble. 

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Daesamar nodded his head slowly, he shifted a bit, leaning into Lorcan’s side when he nuzzled his cheek.  He was affectionate by nature but had always been shy about showing it. Being physically close to others had always brought him a small amount of comfort, with the way he felt right now, he was craving it even more. He gave a small nod, the idea of warmth was appealing, after spending the night out here alone.

The large yearling pulled himself to his paws slowly, his face twisting as his muscles ached, it felt like they were screaming in protest but he gritted his teeth, starting to follow his lead in a slow shuffle, coughing frequently. he hated it, hated feeling like this, but more so, he hated worrying Lorcan, or anyone for that matter.