Fear Is The Mind-Killer

The donkey had been too caught up in his thoughts to notice the silent predator that tracks him. Luckily, Taiga is friendly, a vigilant protector of the small herbivore. The black sand crunches under the small ass’s hooves and his long ears flick as he walks. The sun has started its descent toward the horizon, elongating shadows and cooling the air slightly. Palm trees seem to be the only pops of color along the beach, stark brown trunks and brilliant green leaves breaking up the otherwise gloomy looking beach. The landscape seems to mirror what Oscar feels as the dark shadow of sorrow covers his soul. He feels slower these days, finding even moving to be more difficult than normal. When he finally stops to look out over the rolling waves and speak to the memory of Beru, Oscar feels defeated. Why did she have to leave? Why does he have to be a failure?

Then, Taiga appears, silent paws carrying her toward the sad ass and his long ears flick up when they hear the subtle sound of sands shifting. He looks up, turning to see the massive cat moving toward him and the sad donkey quickly turns his head away, trying to hide the tears that trickle down his cheeks. Sniffing, he shakes his head in an attempt to rid the water from his face as she moves up toward him. Turning his gaze back to her, the donkey watches as she gracefully stretches out her large form to lay on the beach and curls around his small form. He feels safe here, a strange thing considering she could eat him in one swallow. But Oscar watches her lay her head on one gigantic paw and he smiles. Nugget peeks out from under his wing, offering a huge yawn before fluffing his feathers and ducking his head back beneath his wing. Even laying down, Taiga is taller than the small donkey but she has ducked her head so she can be level with him.

The small gesture shocks the ass for a moment making him realize the large predator is surprising gentle when she wants to be. Taiga’s words have Oscar’s long ears swiveling every which way, the small movements an outward expression of his uncertainty. Short legs shuffle, shifting his weight around as his flat teeth bite into his bottom lip. He had felt lost after Beru’s death, the need to protect and take care of the others the only thing driving him onward. Yet, these days, since meeting Taiga, he has found a spark of hope, something more to hold onto then just making it through the day. His accent laces each word thickly, betraying his emotions as he says, “I worry about ‘em Taiga. Their kids and my family… I have ta protect them. But…” Oscar snorts as flicks his head to indicate his small frame. He continues, “Sometimes I feel more a hinderance ta ‘em. If a predator attacked, best I could do is offer myself as a sacrifice to let ‘em escape.”

The ass tries to make it sound funny, adding a lopsided grin to the statement but the truth is, Oscar has been worried about predators attacking them. Huffing an annoyed sigh at himself, the donkey shakes his head, saying, “I don’t know. Everything is more different these days. Maybe they don’t need as much protection as much as I think they do.” A shrug of small shoulders and Oscar finds himself moving toward the lioness, the sudden need for contact overwhelming him. Sighing heavily, he looks along the beach as he leens into her soft fur, enjoying the warmth her fur offers along with her companionship. Flicking a long ear, he says, “I have worried for long Taiga. There are many animals would hurt our small herd. They are precious to me. I have to protect ‘em.”

Small head turns so Oscar can capture her eyes with his. There is genuine gratitude in his cyan eyes as he says, “I’m glad you’re with us Taiga. I really am. I know I feel safer with ya around.” A gentle smile flits across his features before he turns his head to look back over the beach. After a moment, Oscar says, “Ya know you’re are a member of our herd too. That means we look out for you and you get to help with being a leader too.” They are a strange herd, a bunch of herbivores and one massive predator but, the small donkey realizes, he wouldn’t want any other herd.


"Oscar"|"Nugget"