Post by Hellion on Sept 11, 2021 2:29:51 GMT -5
I want the world to f***ing see that I am someone to respect
Even when I'm lying cold, cross-armed in a chest
Rain soothed the shadow-coated tomcat. The splatter of fat raindrops to the smooth stone below. It eased what tension brewed in his chest, and despite the cold wind that would randomly push the water into the cave opening, he was content. The outcrop in which he sat to have a quality vantage point but gave little room in the way to be comfortable. The random wind would splash water inward which would, in turn, dampen his forepaws and heavily plumed tail. Nevertheless, it didn't bother him, as he pinned it as something to endure.
His thick coat kept him warm despite the cold stone under his paw; even those spurts of water mentioned earlier did not squash his determination to remain focused on the task at foot. Careful not to lull himself into asleep with the rain and winds whirling about outside, Hound divided his focus between watching his tribe-mates respectfully and studying what stood beyond the water. Few shapes could be signs, his mind filling in the gaps. Nevertheless, he knew which landmarks would remain even beyond the rain and could determine if movement beyond the sheet of rain was a threat or enemy.
Not that he suspected anything. Not even the most desperate predators would risk venturing out in such a storm searching for a meal. However, the train of thought reminded him of the unique situation that had occurred only the night before.
The miracle that was the rescue of the hare was not lost on Hound. He rarely felt pride and credited those moments instead to his dedication to his role and determination to remain a credit to his tribe. Hound hardly had the chance to think fondly on the memory for another cave-guard joined him on the outcrop. There was a brief moment when Hound looked puzzled on why someone had joined him; then it occurred to him that it must be near morning. Even without the rain letting up. Hound gave his report to the fellow cave guard before leaving the vantage point within the cave's confines and followed the usual path down to the cave floor.
He did not walk far before he came near the nose to nose with Mulberry. His reflexes prompted him to stop short of colliding with the she-cat. Good Morning Mulberry," He greeted respectfully, bowing his head slightly formality. He rarely conversed with others and felt almost painfully awkward. He was falling back on formalities as comfort. "I rested some before my watch," He answered, the formal quality refusing to disappear from his tone.
Her gratitude was lost on him and made more painfully clear by his stunned expression. Brows raised, eyes widened, ears half-cocked backward, as if they wanted to pin back in shame. His nervous tick, the twitching of just his tail tip, wormed its way out as he struggled to find the words to respond.
"I-I-I did what anyone else would do," He replied, noticing right away that she seemed to settle in. His heart started to pound; why was she talking to him?! It wasn't that he didn't like the conversation in general but rarely did prey-hunters mingle with him. The fact he was with a hunting party at all was pure luck. An unexpected turn of fate and his ability to save the hare was additional luck, and perhaps all his life's fortune was gone in that single moment.
The more she went on, the way she talked so freely about care and concern for his well-being further sped up his heart. "Please stop," he blurted out, ears pinned back entirely now as his eyes fell to his paws. It had been far too long since someone worried for him, and well, it wanted to believe Mulberry was genuine with her words. He half-expected someone to overhear and taunt the duo as they conversed."I'm sorry," He uttered not one heartbeat after, refusing to meet her eye.
"You don't have to thank me, as cave-guard; it is my duty to put myself in the path of danger for my fellow tribemates. No matter what happens to me," Hound found it in himself to glance in her direction, to offer a short-lived connected gaze. "I'm just glad I was able to catch it before it was lost, a good hunt will feed many," He wanted to focus on the attention onto her.
Snarl of Black Hound