Dust Motes

He had searched for his mother and the herd for a long time after he had been separated but as the way of the world was, he had been lost so he had been left behind. A calf that could not keep up with its mother would die by the wayside. Rannoch should have died, but here he was. An affront to the natural laws. He had given up his search and he found a herd of smaller deer to travel with and he had survived. Against all odds he was still here, struggling to survive.

Rannoch returned the question, mostly to be polite but there was natural interest. He’d never spoken to a cat before, they were far too dangerous to try. Rannoch had never really had an interest in the predators that hunted him and his kind. He had to be alert and wary of them, if they hadn’t found Taiga as he was their herd would have been on the menu for the great cat.

Instead he was being given her origin story, walking easily with her in the wilderness. It was an almost other worldly experience. She told him of her questioning nature, and her herd sire would not have such thoughts present. Unlike Rannoch she had no issues going out on her own, or she did with the ungulates having found her. She might have been dead if the herd hadn’t found her.

His mind wandered as they continued through the forest. His big hooves silent through the summer underbrush. Part of his was thankful his antlers had yet to fully grow out, once the velvet peeled away he would have to be extremely careful in the forests. His thoughts were interrupted as Taiga pulled ahead of him and leapt to the great felled tree before them. Of all the places he had been, this forest felt the most like home. Like its ancient roots connected to his origins.

Emerald eyes watched as the cat stretched and revealed the weaponry of her paws. Rannoch did not avert his gaze as he watched her, marveling at the specialty equipment she carried specifically for killing. While he was finding himself appreciative of her presence, this was a reminder of the natural order, of the relationship the two of them should have. Predator and prey.

"What will you do… without your herd?” He asked her as she removed her claws from the thick bark in the tree. His flank twitched lightly as he tamped down the rush of fear such a sight gave to him. She said she didn’t mind being alone, but was that true? He didn’t know much about the lioness but he had realized there was one trait they had in common. They were supposed to be a part of a group, there was a drive to be a member of a greater whole. Herd, pride… they weren’t meant to be alone.

"Speech"