No Way Out (Sombra/Arooix)

[Corvus-Lupus]

It had been a few days now since she had landed on the soft ground beneath the tree. A few days of learning up, down, food, water. She had stayed close to the tree at first, not wanting to stray very far form the familiar, from home. But as the days passed, she grew restless, wanting to see what lay beyond the overhanging branches, past the long shadows cast by her birth tree. This morning had dawned with her restlessness turning quickly into irritation. One thing after another seemed to disturb her, until finally, she had had enough.

So now, she was pacing the edge of the shade, nosing occasionally at a twig or a rock that lay just beyond, but not yet stepping foot out there herself. At last though, curiosity overtook caution, and she stepped out into the bright light. The sun overhead beat onto her jet black fur, and she found herself squinting her ruby eyes against the brightness of it. But she soldiered on, eager to explore, and itching for an adventure.

At least, she thought she was...

[arooix]

The pad of her paws hit the ground in a tender gait - creating the blades of grass below her paws to tremble. To feel the earth like form that sprung from the ground made Arooix smile, though she had only been hatched not to long ago. She had taken the role of the adventurer, one of which had the bounty of life upon her head. To be blessed with such a thing, why this pup did not want to waste a mere minute of it. Getting used to her - quite frankly - large paws was a slight hassle for this canine, her nose twitched in sly arrogance as her hind legs caught on the log she had just attempted to clamber over. Ugh, she couldn't suppress how much she wished she hadn't been cursed with the wallop sized feet - nonetheless she would have to get used to them. Scraping her way over the hollow log, Arooix scampered further onwards attempting not to trip. Where he legs took her to was a slight surprise.

Before her were dancing leaves that were tossed clumsily in the rhythm to the winds. Arooix's eyes glimmered with amazement for the splashes of green and yellow filling her irises dazzled her senses. Twisting her head the young pup pondered what to do next, she knew naught of what roamed the lands that she had been born upon for she had yet to discover them. That is why Arooix had managed to muster the courage to discover what lay beyond the area of where her cocoon had landed.

A sound met her perked ears, forcing Arooix to turn and look. From her vantage point she could see the shadow of another newborn. Taking a whiff with her nose, inhaling and exhaling she could notify that the scent that she found had been produced from the shadowed beast - belonging to a feline. Being wary, the black and white female trotted towards the animal, cautions not to frighten the other female. Halting, Arooix watched as the cat exited the shadows and entered the realm of the light. Dipping her head, Arooix snorted - not sure what to do. What was there to do? She was quite a bit larger than the black furred she-cat who's eyes sparkled like two feral rubies lost in the wild.

It was on instinct that Arooix lowered her body to the ground - a position she felt meant 'I won't harm you," staying held to the ground the canine waited to see if the feline would allow her to approach; meanwhile narrowing her pale blue eyes signaling that Arooix wouldn't allow this stranger to pull any funny business.

[Corvus-Lupus]

Nose down, Sombra sniffed at everything. It all looked different in the bright light, colors more vibrant, edges more sharp. "Even the smells seem stronger,' she thought, as she pawed at a set of old pawtracks in the dirt. 'Even though whatever made these is long gone it smells like they are right behind me.' A sudden snort and she leapt straight up, fur on end and legs spread wide. She came down awkwardly, and then whirled around as she heard rustling behind her, something moving in the grass and leaves. She spotted a two-toned pelt, framing ice blue eyes, very large eyes, attached to a very large head... Her ears flattened as she began stepping back, only to trip over her own feet.

She righted herself quickly, sure the other would have rushed in her moment of confusion, but no, the, a quick sniff, female had remained where she was. For a long second, Sombra paused, waiting to see what the large canine would do, but she remained still, belly to the ground, as if she was trying to look smaller than she really was. It wasn't fooling the cat. "I see you there," she growled, trying to sound more sure of herself than she felt. "You startled me, is all. And I know you're big, so trying to hide it isn't going to fool me."

'There,' she thought. 'Now what are you going to do?'

[arooix]

With her body to the foliage on the ground, Arooix felt foolish. From what she could see - that cat with the red eyes had spotted her. Sides heaving, the two toned canine perked her ears as the cat pinned it's own ears to the back of her skull. Narrowing her glazed eyes, she could almost feel the snark in the cat's eyes. Licking her chops, Arooix listened at the black figure spoke "I see you there," the voice sounded sure - yet there was a hidden quiver that Arooix had heard. "Well, how unfortunate - I've been caught," she laughed to herself.

Arooix took to standing, seeing as her 'act small' theme hadn't worked. Sighing, the bigger creature cocked her head at the cat. Taking a step forward, she could see that she was indeed larger than the red eyed feline - by quite a bit. Shaking due to nerves that dog blinked and turned her eyes to the ground. "Hmph. Well. My name is Arooix," she stated; leaving an option open for the stranger to introduce herself. Staggering with exhaust on her newborn limbs, Arooix winced slightly as she leaned up against the trunk of a tree. Her larger bulk would be a hassle as she grew, even now her sides cramped in tight spasms of pain.

Keeping her keen eyes on the figure, she tried her best to hide her discomfort - she didn't want to be though of as a easy target or weak.

[Corvus-Lupus]

Sombra swallowed as the canine rose to her feet. She had known the other was larger, but actually seeing her at full height, well, it was not very settling to frayed senses. But there was something... different. She eyed the other as she took a step forward, the paw shivering just a bit. 'Is she nervous?' thought the little cat to herself. 'Why would she be nervous?' The thought slipped away though, as the canine introduced herself. She turned the name over a coupe of times testing it. "Arooix," she said slowly. The growl was gone from her voice now, and the uncertain note more prominent.

Her ears pricked as the canine shuffled her feet, tipping her head at the wince that crossed Arooix's face. She thought a bit longer, then sat, curling her silver spangled tail around her toes. "Sombra," she said simply, voice more sure, this time for real. The silence seemed to stretch, though most likely it was only a few moments. Her ruby eyes blinked as she thought, then decided to take a step forward, even if just verbally. "Are you... all right?" One ear flicked back, wondering if maybe she was being just a little too bold. After all, her stumpy little legs would be no where near fast enough to carry her away from the long-legged canine.

[arooix]

From the glazed look of sheer terror in the cats eyes, Arooix felt horrible. The difference of their size was immense, the dog did not lack compared to the lithe feline the stood only feet from where she was leaned up against the tree. She had no urge to hurt the mere cat, damn she had no urge to hurt anyone. Heat pricked at the pads of her paw with shame, Arooix didn't want to be thought of a mammal to fear. Not when she needed friends to survive in a world she knew nothing about. Sombra. That was her name the? What a delightful title. From where she sat, Arooix tried to give Sombra a reassuring smile - she would not hurt the newborn. All she wanted was to have someone.

When the tone of Sombra's questioning voice filled her ears, Arooix nodded "Oh, yes. Just exerted to much energy". Sighing, Arooix pulled away from the tree and padded closer to Sombra. She smelled like the grass, {sombra} and from what the canine could tell she herself did to. Flicking her pink tongue from between her lips the young one huffed. Honestly she didn't know what to do or how to go by doing anything at the moment. Revolving her head she peered once more at Sombra, "So, are you alright?" Arooix could smell a slight scent of fear brewing from the tiny cat "Let it be known, I will not hurt you." she firmly barked in a silent tone. Her body came to sit beside Sombra's, with her muzzle Arooix leaned down to nudge the black felines shoulder.

[Corvus-Lupus]

A soft breeze rustled the leaves. They seemed to whisper to Sombra, little voices she could not quite make out. She realized she missed the tree of her birth, the familiar feeling of 'home'. She felt alone now, and that, was not a pleasant feeling. She watched the canine shuffle her feet clumsily, the same awkward shuffle she herself used. 'We are both of us newborns in this world. And both of us completely unsure of what to do.' She looked up again, fiery eyes meeting icy ones. The smile the canine gave her was probably meant to be amiable, even though it displayed the uncomfortable large teeth in her maw. But Sombra could understand that the two-toned canine was trying to be friendly; maybe she should try it out herself?

She nodded as Arooix answered her question, and then stepped closer. Resisting the urge to run was quite a feat, and Sombra thought she pulled it off well, despite the nervous twitching of her tail. She waited as Arooix finally stepped up next to her, listening to the canine's breathing as her tongue lolled out and she panted. She looked up as the other looked down, the tipped her head as she asked her a question of her own. 'Was she all right?' she thought to herself, 'well, aside from being completely terrified?' As she was about to answer though, Arooix seemed to read her mind.

The canine sat then, and nudged Sombra's side. "That makes me feel better," she began slowly. "I am doing fine, though still... wondering if I am quite ready to be off." She paused again, thinking. "No, that's not right, I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave... the trees I mean, the Orchard." She shook her head. 'This is turning out quite badly. She's going to think I want her to leave, even though...' "You seem nice. I'm sorry about before, it's just, better safe than sorry right?" She made an attempt at a smile herself, and thought she managed it pretty well.

"You see, I really want to explore, but since I'm so much smaller than even others like me, I was afraid, well afraid of everything."

[arooix]

A slight chill ran slowly up her spine as the wind blew quietly. Arooix had her eyes on the nervous cat, Sombra. Immediately the canine halted her panting to listen to Sombra sharing with her that she was scared. Not just scared of one thing, but everything. She understood what Sombra meant, for she to was scared of the feeling of knowing nothing. It was a horrible feeling. The thought of anything hurting the tiny body that stood before her made Arooix's blood boil in defense. To be as low to hurt one, it was cruel. Shifting her weight, Arooix nodded "Indeed - better safe than sorry," agreeing to Sombra's statement. Above her the twigs of the trees swayed in a relaxed motion, drifting to the coo of the wind.

Arooix could understand where she came off with saying she was indeed not ready to leave. Arooix had already left her tree with a pinch of regret in her heart, but her choices had brought a good outcome to the starting of her life. For example she had found what she hoped to be one of her friends. "Oh Sombra, it's okay. I wasn't thinking to hard before I left my tree. I miss it but I can almost promise you that it does get better." Arooix whispered. Seeing the cat offer up a smile in response, Arooix once again smiled as well "No worries about before - you seem very pleasant yourself". Stretching her neck downwards, Arooix rested her cheek on the small of Sombra's back.

With a serious tone, a comforting growl peeled from her throat "And Sombra, I promise if something or someone wants to hurt you - they will have to get through me first". This was one thing that Arooix would never break, something she would hold to her will strongly. Nobody would hurt those she chose to protect - Sombra being one of them - if she could help it. "You don't have to be afraid," Arooix muttered into the felines ear.

[Corvus-Lupus]

Arooix's soft words helped her relax more, and the "almost promise" made her smile wider. As the canine rested her much larger head against Sombra's back, the little cat sighed softly, the soft sound of a purr rising in the air. It was strange, that this canine so reminded her of the tree she had left so very recently. She just felt safe. She turned slightly, rubbing her face into the canine's two-toned fur, the purr growing as she became more comfortable. She heard a deep rumble from the canine's throat, and was pleasantly surprised that is didn't startle her as badly as it would have before. She listened as the growl became words, and her ruby eyes widened as the meaning of the words seeped in.

She drew away from the canine, wanting to see those ice colored eyes as she asked her next questions. "You would, protect me? Even though I can't, can't protect you back?" She felt confused, but also glad that she had found a friend who would look out for her, if the canine was telling the truth. "I mean, why would you help a random stranger?"

[arooix]

The lull of Sombra's breathing soothed Arooix, the cats fur was plush - but most of all the rise and fall of her ribs was the most comforting. She could tell that Sombra to enjoyed her presence, the moment ended shortly after when the black cat moved back and pulled away from the canine. Once she back up, Sombra looked up into Arooix's eyes. The question shocked Arooix, but nonetheless she had no issues answering it. A wave of tender warmth melted Arooix's cold, ice blue eyes "Yes. I would protect you, despite the fact that you cannot protect me." answered the young pup. The next half of Sombra's question made Arooix look to the sky, speaking calmly as she answered "In truth, we are all strangers to this world. And if I can't trust any then I see this life being quite a lonely one. One can gain friends by helping those in need," Taking a sigh, Arooix looked back to Sombra "plus... There is something about you that makes me never want to see one so little - like you - be harmed".

Blinking, Arooix knew all she had said was true before she had her own question "Sombra..." she muttered shyly "Do you think that we could be friends?" - for she did not know if the petite black she-cat though of her as a companion. The pup let her ears droop, now that she was in the company of another - she didn't want to be all alone.

[Corvus-Lupus]

The worry Sombra felt melted as the canine spoke. Arooix spoke the truth, and the little cat smiled at her reasoning. "Yes, we are all of us strangers when we first meet." She blushed at Arooix's comment, glad her dark fur would hide most of it. "And I would not ever want to see one as trusting as you, betrayed by that trust." Sombra's tail swished slowly as Arooix seemed to think on her next words, then she slowly asked a question, one she seemed highly unsure about. The little cat smiled, glad she would be able to answer in the affirmative.

"I hope, I can learn to trust like you do. Maybe, if we travel together, we can learn about this new world? And the best way to travel together, would be as friends, wouldn't it?"

[arooix]

A deep smile lit up on Arooix's face, at those keen words that were sent from Sombra's maw it was a relief that she wanted to be her friends. A partner to travel with - it actually for once relieved her of her fright of being alone. One fear she knew she would hold forever. Laying down, Arooix looked around her - from her sight she could definitely tell that the sun was dwindling and beginning to enter the stage of darkness. With a motion the black and white canine nuzzled Sombra's left paw, one that she felt symbolized friendship "Yes, Sombra. I shall travel with you - if I ever stray from my path from you do not fret I will find you again eventually," Arooix nuzzled the black felines paw once again "We will travel as the best of friends, little one." were her final words as she looked up at Sombra and into her piercing ruby eyes.

[Corvus-Lupus]

A happy purr rumbled up from Sombra's vocals. To not be alone, she was so grateful to the larger canine. She watched as Arooix lay down, and suddenly realized how dark it had gotten. Where had the time gotten to? Or was it this season maybe, that brought the night upon them so fast? Irregardless, it was indeed deepening into starlight, and she felt a great yawn stretch her maw wide. She batted playfully at Arooix as she nuzzled her paws, but the motion was slow, sleepy. She stretched, then curled up into a ball, wrapping her silver spangled tail about her. Eyes of fire met eyes of ice, and her purring intensified. "Yes, we will travel together, but I think first, a nap may be in order." She yawned again, then lowered her head to the earth, pillowing it upon one velvet paw. "I will see you in the morning, yes?" she said as she slipped into slumber, a purr still echoing through her frame.

[arooix]

As Sombra layed down, she smiled tenderly, it was a delight to see her finally relaxing a little bit. Arooix knew it was not to healthy to be so tense all the time; it was just common sense. A purr rumbled through her little friends body, a flattered feeling washed over for the reason being that Sombra had accepted her as a friend. Moving from where she had first layed down she rose and waddled quietly to the curled up cat. From the sky chilled winds blew that ruffled Sombra's coat, which probably made the little cat cold - something that bothered Arooix. Standing for a short moment, Aroo positioned her entire body around Sombra's, blocking the wind. "Yes. You will see me in the morn," she muttered. Growing quiet, Arooix faded into her own slumber.

[Corvus-Lupus]

Sombra stirred as Arooix curled around her, but only a little. So much had happened in so short a time, she was exhausted from all of it. However she felt herself worming through the sleepy haze, and snuggled back into the thick fur of the canine. Her purrs were content, and a soft melody to soothe her though dreams that were happy. She was not alone anymore.

She woke slowly, purring happily as she nuzzled into the thick black and white fur that surrounded her. As the veil of dreams fell away, she lifted her head, then rose and stretched, before padding over to Arooix's face. Playfully, she batted at the large canine's nose with a delicate paw. "Are you awake yet, sleepy? Maybe we can go on a little hunt before we decide which direction we are headed to explore?"