i'm the only one

Rannoch wasn’t surprised with the appearance of the small donkey, not that he had that exact name in his mind. He looked a lot like a wild ass, so that was the name he’d be bestowed. He seemed to single him out from the rest of the elk with absolute ease. Just like a predator would. Rannoch was different and that put a massive target over his back. The donkey zeroed in on him, and spoke concernedly. The young stag looked up at the equid curiously but he didn’t let his guard down. He never did.

The donkey made himself comfortable beside Rannoch, lowering himself to the ground beside him and disrupting the bird upon his back, who didn’t hesitate to tell the ass what for. The herd stirred lightly and Rannoch felt his instincts flutter. Should they run? Oscar kept the peace though and all of the deer settled down as he did and Oscar’s attention revolved around the irish elk. He gave his name, and asked why he looked so downtrodden. Before he could open his mouth to answer another unfamiliar form appeared in the clearing.

It felt like every elk in the herd found their eyes on the massive caribou. One young bull stood up at the sight of him and Rannoch felt his heart rate increase. Both herbivores and their birds found their attention resting on him. "I.. uh…” Despite his youth Rannoch’s voice was smooth and deep. Before he could say more there was another commotion.

Alarm raced through him as the American elk were suddenly startled as the wooled rhino made her dramatic entrance. Rannoch very nearly jumped to his hooves and took flight with the herd, and he probably would have if the donkey and caribou had not been right beside him. As it was his vibrant emerald eyes widened with fright at her massive form and heavy footedness. She greeted him with a voice that was far too sweet for her massive form, despite her squinting eye he could see recognition. He had to draw up memories from his first few days. He knew he had seen creatures such as her as they crossed the great ice bridge. He was struck by how she put him at ease with no difficulty.

Finally it was his turn to speak, all eyes on him. Ass, reindeer, rooster, raven, and rhino. Rannoch realized then they were a herd. They were much more interested in him than any elk had ever been. Long furred ears pressed to his skull as he looked to each of them. "I’m Rannoch, I..” It was far too obvious he was alone. As was the way of the world the elk left him behind as they made their attempt to flee. He was the odd one out, the different one, the broken. He was left to appease whatever threatened the herd. "I lost my herd.” And he didn’t mean the flighty elk. "The elk were all I could find, I just needed someone.” Someone to watch his back, even if they had no care for him.

"Speech"