The Dead.. Are Alive?

His stomach not growling so much was wonderful but Ricin being eager to explore was a bit of a surprise.  Chade was wary of having fun even as much as another part of him wanted to remember he was a pup and play.  When he thought of playing he thought of their sisters floating under the ice because they had played.  Though maybe it was just a sign of how much Ricin trusted Chade?  Maybe Chade needed to learn to lighten up?  They were getting stronger after all!  At least they were growing but the strength was limited with how much they were able to eat.  They were wiser.

Everything in Chade this was dumb but still, he went along with Ricin and even managed to smile a bit.  Well, he smiled until they got to the cave entrance.  The last time they went into a cave they had found food but they had also found a fox.  Could he take on a fox now?  Maybe?  If Ricin distracted it Chade thought he might be ok.  They were growing and it was clear they would be a solid height.  They both had thicker fur around the neck and it come up to spike upon the forehead.

Ricin raced into the cave before Chade could voice his warning and let out a deep sigh.  He wanted to charge in after him but setting up an alarm was important also.  Looking around he found some trees and went to go grab two good size branches in his mouth that held a bunch of dead leaves on them and carried them back to the entrance.  Twigs and leaves were yanked off and dropped on the ground one after another.  Ears flattened at two spots where crystals had sprouted out.  With time his warning alarm had improved.  He took time to make a wider patch of leaves and twigs then kick some dirt over enough of it.  Still, he was worried about Ricin and was impatient to get in there.

Then his brother called out excitedly about dead stuff.  Fear gripped Chade’s heart at his brother being alone around ‘dead stuff’.  The clear question was what killed anything that died in there?  Possibly predators bigger than they were, possibly the terrain or the food or whatever else they hadn’t learned of yet.  Dropping the stick he’d been prying leaves from he ran in after his brother.

Decay certainly could be smelled in here.  Chade stalked along in a partial crouch ears flat and glaring for any hidden predator.  The scent of decay, fungi and a few scents he didn’t recognize could possibly help hide the scent of hidden dangers.  He caught up to Ricin, looking at him curiously.  “This is dangerous you know.” Another scent hit his nose a moment later, a slow sigh let out as he admitted, “I smell food, at least I think I do.”  

“Ry,” the boy spoke softly, “have you considered how the dead died?”  Was his brother over imagining how good of a fighter Chade was?  Chade was weighing the potential of another meal and Ricin’s curiosity against leaving to someplace maybe safer.  Not that things were overly safe outside and the fireflies seemed a bit smaller in number here.  The crystals were still present, somehow event growing on these funny stones.  He hadn’t tried hunting food in a place like this before and Chade couldn’t decide if it would be easier hunting in here than it was around trees or open grass.  He glanced to Ricin seeing if his brother was too excited to worry or even if he thought about it if Ry’s need to explore or check out the food was stronger than the urge to go.  Ricin seemed so happy and then Chade shook his head, “Nevermind, let's be careful but let's have some fun too.”  A small smile given to his brother.  They needed to find some enjoyment in life, right? Chade could be careful for both of them.

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