Building Courage

She hardly heard him moving toward her as she sniffled, trying to choke back her futile weeping. A shock went through her body as his muzzle met her shoulder, gently nosing along the fur of her neck until he touched her cheek, wet and stained with tears. She was surprised but yet again grateful to him for this gesture of comfort. Suddenly she felt as though everything would be okay, even though she knew they still had to get out of here. It just wasn't safe. As he stood beside her, trying to determine which direction would take them out of this cave, she felt his closeness and shifted ever so slightly closer. Steadiness entered her shaking body. Her worries lifted, and though still exhausted from her struggle, she felt lighter. She felt like she could breathe. She was sure they would make it out of here. His words, although simple, were compelling; she had learned that he spoke only when necessary, and thus his lyrics were powerful. Her paws uprooted from the ground where she had frozen in place.

He offered his side to her as he set off toward the mine's entrance, and she followed without hesitation. She tried to keep pace with him, longing to breathe in the fresh air and rest in safety. Still, she had to pause now and again as she coughed from the dust, her lungs still burning from the struggle. It seemed as though the cave had settled into quiet stillness, allowing them to break free from the dusky clutches before long without further dangers meeting them. Light emanated from the tunnel just ahead; at last they had made it. Esarosa stumbled forward, never more glad to see the sky and the trees, sunlight glaring off the snow and causing her close her eyes after having been in the complete darkness of the cave. She shook out her coat, sending up a cloud of dust. Then she turned toward the young man who had led her to safety, blinking open her eyes. She could make out his features, seeing the bright coat and dark eye markings; he looked more handsome than before. She smiled at him. Thank goodness he hadn't been harmed, for she didn't know how she would have coped if something bad had happened to him because she had insisted on having him come along. She frowned then and looked to the ground, her ears folding against her head.

"I'm sorry for getting you into that mess," she murmured, ashamed, "I shouldn't have dragged you into it..." She turned away, pawing the ground anxiously. She was at a loss for words, something she wasn't used to. Surely he would be angry, now that they had made it out of the strange, dangerous cave. She couldn't look at him, afraid to see the scorn in his stunning electric eyes. She longed again to feel the comfort that had come so easily through his closeness, to revel in that moment when his gentle touch had sparked something unfamiliar yet thrilling within her. But she knew they would part ways soon; they hadn't even exchanged names and she had almost gotten them both killed. "Well, I should be okay now.." she said, staring at the ground in front of her, "You probably need to get back home. Thank you again, for everything." She knew she would have to find somewhere comfortable to rest after this, but the lands were frigid and she hadn't expected to be so exhausted. She wanted to ask him if he knew of anywhere suitable to rest, but she was too afraid to look at him. Once more she was too uncertain to act, so her paws froze to the ground, leaving her planted on the spot.