Beaver Dam where the shock sets in

It had been too long since he had seen his mother. Too long since he had seen anyone. He had lost track of the ebony girl after she had helped him escape the coyotes once more and was now wandering aimlessly around the woods, searching for something or someone to guide him in the right direction. He did not know where he was headed or what he was looking for. He needed someone to rescue him—and quickly. Before his hunger claimed his life or another creature decided to make a meal out of him. His body had grown weaker and he knew that he wouldn’t last if he remained on his own for much longer. It was a struggle to keep his eyes open and his legs moving. Heck, it was a struggle to even breathe.

He flopped to the ground at the edge of the river, his chin resting atop his overgrown paws as he peered out at the rushing water before him. Orionis did not know what to do. He was tired of walking. Tired of being alone. Tired of being. But he needed to find his mother. He needed to get home… even though they didn’t really have a home. He just needed someone.

He rolled onto his side, his rusted gaze still fixated on the slow-moving water as his forelegs stretched out before him. He would rest, for a little while, until he regained some strength and continued along his journey. There had to be a pack or someone near by… someone that could help him… or lend a snack (or two).

That acorn kid must have sparked his luck. Not that he knew that just yet.

The ebony figure on the edge of the river looked a bit odd to him. Like they were out of place. They looked particularly fragile and part of him worried that if he got too close he might spook them right off. They looked a bit young, like the acorn girl he had just met kind of young. His gut twisted as his mind seemed to wonder. His head turned from side to side to look for Runi (@Inna) but she was not present. He could not confirm or deny anything, not yet.

Tentatively he crept forward a few yards (still leaving about a yard between them) before he released a soft chuff. Hey kid... He started off slowly as his pale eyes stayed trained on the ebony form. Either there was a lot of missing kids running about or he was about to turn his bad weeks of luck right around. Hopefully it was the latter of the two options.

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His body twitched at the unfamiliar voice but the boy remained where he was. He was not sure if he had accepted his fate or was too tired to move… maybe a mixture of both… but he did not stir. Not yet. Little Orionis was far too tired to make a run for it. Plus the voice did not sound like a big bad… or so he hoped. The smudge had endured enough trauma in his short life; he did not know if his frail body could handle any more.

Instead of moving he turned his head toward the agouti male, a small frown creasing his dark features as he tried to make out the stranger against his blurring surroundings. He did not appear to be a threat—heck, he even looked a little concerned—but Orionis could not be too careful. Not in his weakened state. While he was desperate to be found (and to get food) he couldn’t be too trusting.

Only one word came to mind as his rusted gaze landed on the yellow-eyed male. Food? He was famished.

He crept a bit closer and nodded his head. "Yeah...yeah, I can get you something to eat." Because even if this was not his child the sight of them tugged at whatever heartstrings he had left. Maybe it was because he hoped someone had done the same thing for when he had lost his first daughter.

"What's your name?" The Rigel asked as he waded into the waters. Perhaps he could find a trapped fish for the boy. Every now and then his head would turn over his shoulder to make sure he hadn't ran off. Kerberos felt the need to understand just who this kid was and well, he couldn't do that if the boy went and ran off.

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You discover a half-eaten deer carcass. +5 Health

He almost smiled at the older male’s response but he was far too tired, and sore, to even attempt a change of expression. The soft frown he wore was comfortable and did not require too much work. The ebony boy remained where he was, silent and observant, as he watched the yellow-eyed male step toward the water. Orionis was not familiar with food that came from water but he was not about to question it. Not when his little stomach rumbled with hungry and his frail body trembled. What’s your name? The question came, filling the air between them. His brows tightened at the older male’s words. Um, he started, his voice hoarse and throat feeling as though he had just swallowed a bundle of dry sticks. I-I can’t ‘member. The frown deepened. He had not introduced himself in a long time. Heck, he couldn’t even remember the last time he had had a conversation. Yours?

It was a soft frown that etched into his face when the boy said he could not remember a name. Yet the question was soon enough turned onto him. "Kerberos Rigel." Would that ring any bells or had he simply stumbled upon another wayward child? He moved out of the water as he the smell of something tastier and already dead pressed into his nostrils.

"Do you smell that?" He asked the boy softly before motioning with his head. "It smells safe. Come." The older Rigel ordered in a tone that was softer than he used to have. He had no interest in spooking the boy off even if it wasn't his own child. Besides, if no one else was here to claim him then why couldn't Kerberos?

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Kerberos Rigel. He blinked, his brows knitting together as he digested the name. There was something familiar about it but the bundle of black fur couldn’t quite put his paw on it… but it didn’t matter. Not now. The tawny male was going to get him some food and that was all that mattered to the boy. Names schmames. Fortunately the older Rigel didn’t throw the name question in his direction once more—something else had caught his attention. Do you smell that? His expression wrinkled even further as he inhaled deeply, his little body trembling as he tried to make out the different scents surrounding them. It smells safe. He blinked, a soft frown creasing his dark features as he pushed himself into a wobbly stand. The boy had no choice but to trust the older stranger. A soft squeak escaped him as a familiar, mouth-watering scent finally reached his nose, causing his pace to quicken despite his unsteadiness. He followed closely behind the tawny male as he lead them to the half-eaten deer…

(This post was last modified: Oct 20, 2018, 04:42 AM by Orionis.)