I find myself struggling a bit to get myself back towards the den. I have been extremely exhausted lately even doing mundane simple things. Yet I am sure I will get better soon enough. By Spring Sen said I should be much better. I’ve been taking my medicine, even though it tastes disgusting, I’ve been sleeping a lot and getting up to walk around a little bit to get the blood following. I’ve eaten a little bit more than usual. As I walk towards my area of the swamp I notice how thoughtful Starfall became and slowed his pace down a bit for me. He is a bit taller than me and I am sure it is a bit annoying that I cannot keep up with his long strides so I try to go a little bit faster. I do notice how close he gets to me at times, especially when I trip over my paws. I’m not really accustomed to being cared for, but I can see in his oddly colored eyes he isn’t looking at me with sympathy, as if I am a worthless cause, it looks almost as if he understands what I am going through. The dead avian is still within my jaws and I nod in agreement about this small meal helping me with my hunger. As we walk side by side one of my crimson ears twitch at the sound of him admitting he hadn’t seen his family. I lower my head slightly in shame as I give a soft whimper of an apology, averting my eyes as I ask him softly my question.
“How come you did not see them…did I take up too much of you time?”
He should have gone and at least visited with his parents. I shouldn’t have stopped him. Really I should have just gone back to Iromar and tried another day. Yet he was very kind to speak with me. Even if I didn’t believe in some of the things he said. As we reach my den I invite him in before I enter. Carefully I step over some of the thick fur from my previous prey, beavers have excellent water proof furs that instantly allows me to have a dryer paws and underside. It gets lonely being alone and the scents of dead animal fur lulls some comfort for me. I don’t mind living so far from the others in my pack, but there are times when I wished I had a neighbor or two. Once I am comfortable I tilt my head to the side noticing how stiff he looked. I know the den is quite big and he is able to fit in here. Actually I could fit about 5 wolves his size in here. I blink and look around my den. There is nothing dirty about it, I keep it clean, which is difficult to do in a swamp. My ears fold back in an apologetic manner unsure if I had done something wrong, but as soon as I see him start to enter my ears point forward with interest. While he gets settled in I manage to bite into the avian that rested between my paws. I am not bothered as he silently observes my home, but when he speaks I lift my head licking the side of my muzzle. It is rude I think to speak while I am eating, but even ruder that I am eating in front of him when he has nothing. There is a kind smile on my face quite pleased to see he approved of Mother’s choice I doubt I would have ever found this place if it wasn’t for her.
“Thank you, but my Mother was the one that chose this spot. When it is spring you should come back and see, it is quite stunning especially during the sunrise and sunset. Would you like some of the bird?”
I lower my muzzle and gently push the bird in his direction my fluffy plume sliding left and right over the dead animal skins behind me. I do not mind sharing. I find it rude if I eat and he does not. I notice how he sniffs at the nearby deers’ pelt that was close to him. I hope he does not find this all odd. Andras had bones within his tomb so why could I not have fur? I nod my head slowly as I stare at my paws a bit embarrassed and as I sheepishly explain myself.
“Yes, some of them are soft and they are comfortable to lie on, especially when it gets too cold out there. I don’t feel alone when I feel soft fur close to me. You don’t…think it is weird, do you?”