Delya had been good about keeping them distracted. Keeping the children that she needed to keep away from what she needed to keep them away from. Still, the steward had taken particular interest in the nephew that didn't seem to be... that didn't seem to be as with it as the others. Yes, the Russian dancer had taken particular interest in Alice's son Halo. Though she was used to keeping an eye on her own daughter and spending time around the den, Belle had been growing and progressing like any average child should. It all seemed alright, even with the commotion a few days before. Things happened. Life happened, and things moved on. It was Halo's involvement that Delya found particularly interesting. How did he... how did he manage to sleep through the entire incident?
His aunt's concern was warranted. She seemed to be the very first to realize Halo's deformity. The young man didn't seem to be able to hear... not that he really noticed. It hadn't clicked in the pup's head. He had no idea that he was different. What Delya had noticed was that, upon the others starting to leave the den and explore and all the other things... well, there was Halo. He never seemed to notice when the others were leaving. No, today was the day that his aunt simply lifted him by his scruff and brought him out into the world. It would be the same tough love she'd always show for the pup-- all the pups. It would be the same, in the way that she was that way with all the children.
Halo is taken to step carefully in the grass. The young man isn't sure how he feels, isn't sure about everything that's going around in the world. There are so many smells, so many things that are hard to focus on. Everything is strange out here. Delya woofs quietly, experimentally behind him... nothing. She frowns, woofing again... and still, nothing. Halo is blissfully unaware that Delya is barking at him, and that... that makes more sense to the female than anyone has bothered so far. No one had really bothered with this one, with the way things went on about him, simply because he was the one that didn't make himself noticed. The Russian dancer had the time to take with him, at least for now. For now, this pup was hers. She'd take the time with him, if that was what made the difference.
So the Russian dancer watches the delusional creature romp through the grass. She sighs, well sprung ribs expanding and contracting as he lets go his grumbles and his wanders. Right. The late spring morning, the first day that's seemed at least relatively normal since shit hit the fan, in an area that wasn't stained by the blood and scent of the bear that's still close enough to the den. Sun is shining, warm on their pelts... yes. Good morning, good morning, good morning. halo & delya the delusional & the russian dancer |