Follow the Voices and Inspiring Song had been wandering for some time, stopped when they needed or wanted. It'd been fun traveling with someone else, and also a learning experience. He had to get used to the sound of anothers hooves on the ground beside him all the time. Of another breathing near him, and more importantly he had to learn how to talk more. He was so used to being on his own that at first he was a very quiet traveling companion, until he'd come to the realization that 'I'm not alone!' and he'd start talking up a storm.  That was some time ago now, many sunrises, and moonfalls of learning had made things easier as far as that went.

Now it was things like...trusting Song's eyes to tell him things he maybe wouldn't have heard before it was on top of him, and too late to avoid. Or the kiokote having to explain certain things to him in a way he could understand. He also was getting used to the fact that with another at his side, his hearing was not as good as it was. He was now hearing all the noises the other made as well as his own, around the sounds around them, and it was different learning how to sort the sounds, and the smells. It was a welcome change of pace to his life however.

Then there were the times that they crossed paths with other kin, and things became either quite a bit louder as everyone talked, and shared stories of travel, or stories in general, and songs. Or sometimes quite a bit quieter if Song was off finding them the foods that were hard for him to gather (point him at berries and edible flowers, he knew those smells!). It was one of those moments, Song was off looking for speedier food than berries, and he has been gathering some when he heard a sound that caused him to stop. He'd never heard that sound before, a high whine.

It was alternately loud, and extremely low and he strained to hear it at points. He hesitated exploring on his own though because he didn't know what he'd be walking into, but it certainly sounded like something was in pain which...hurt animals could be dangerous he knew. So he waited, for the moment.


@Izaeah

[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]

Leaving hadn't been a decision made lightly. It had always been a thought, however. Song had known that he wanted to travel. He wanted to discover all that the swamp had to offer them and he wanted to tell of its tales. He couldn't do that while staying in one spot. Follow's lack of sight hadn't deterred his plans, no, it hadn't changed them at all. All that it had changed, for him, was the fact that he knew he would have to be far more mindful of their surroundings as they went; in the long run, that worked in his favour: it made him indeed pay more attention to things and he noticed certain other things he wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

It had been quiet at first, he hadn't found any reason to complain. While he wanted to tell all of those stories he knew he would find, he didn't know how to go about it. How to tell a proper story if he felt uncomfortable speaking in front of so many others? Even speaking in front of a few. It took courage and Follow's trust in him gave him courage. It wasn't always enough, but it was something he was doing his best to work on as they wandered.

He was fond of his companion, there was no denying that, and making sure that they both stayed safe and healthy was one of those more important things to him. One of the ways he did see to that, was by making sure to find them a safe spot for the evening when the sun started on its way down. Once he had found them a good spot, they would usually settle and find some rations, but, every so often, he needed to find something a bit more than berries and leaves as they found them on their way.

On this particular day, this had been exactly why he'd left his companion in a safe and comfortable spot, wandering a bit as he'd been sure he'd find something a bit more nourishing than the flowers they'd been finding recently but spanish moss was all he'd found. It would certainly not fill their bellies but it could make for a bit of padding for their night. Still, there had been quite a bit of it and he found himself wandering back with his find when he'd first heard the whine.

He ignored it for a few moments, merely wanting to get back. He'd check the whine out once he was back at his companion's side.

@Lirilei

Follow was on his hooves, and pacing uneasily. The whining hadn't stopped, and he wanted to investigate the cause of it, help whatever was stuck or hurt. So when he heard familiar hoofsteps coming his way his pacing stopped and he made his way to the kiokote easily, and there a "Something's hurt Song...can we go find it? I wanted to for awhile but I didn't want to risk making the whole situation worse by getting hurt or something myself." he might not have let being blind stop him, but he also didn't just charge into a situation without some thinking about it. Especially now that he wasn't traveling alone.

Had it been just him he'd have carefully investigated the situation to the best of his abilities, but since he had Inspiring Song with him now waiting was best. The other buck could see what was going on, after all. "I don't know if we can help but...I can't just leave whatever it is like that without knowing. Please?" he pressed the side of his face to the others neck a moment.

He didn't know what he would do if he was told no, to checking. He'd probably go anyhow, because it was paining him to hear the whines and cries of what he was sure was a small animal. "If we're able to rescue it, just think of the story you'll have to tell next we come across anyone. Even if we can't, you can tell a cautionary tale about this area." well that was certainly one way to make a poor situation mildly better.

After pausing for a moment to gather a breath, and try to relax, he caught scent of whatever it was being carried by the other, and his head tipped. "What did you find?"


@Izaeah

For a moment, the whining had made him pause. It was somewhere to the left of where he was heading. It didn't sound like something big or dangerous but whines were whines and it was impossible to really know the size of something based on that. He shook his head, starting back on the way to where he knew they'd settled for the time being.

Song had barely made it back that he found himself approached and he paused again, turning his head once more towards the direction the whining was coming from. He breathed a noncommittal sound, merely trying to pick up anything else from whatever it was that did sound hurt. That Follow had, at least, stayed put and not opted to try and find the source of his current worrying soothed him, in a way. The idea of the other getting hurt didn't sit well with him; though Song knew more than well that if Follow set his heart on something, they wouldn't really be any stopping him.

He breathed a faint, amused snort, however, at the mention that it likely would make an additional story to tell while they were travelling. It was true enough, though that, in itself, wouldn't have changed his final decision.

"Just moss, the type that grows on trees, it's not very filling but there honestly isn't that much here that we haven't already found or sampled." His voice was quiet, thoughtful, even as he shifted to drop his not-quite burden just out of the way so they could come back for it once they were done. "It's off to the left, I heard it while I was coming back. A bit hard not to hear it."  Not that it was overly loud, but it was somewhat insistent in its own way.

@Lirilei

The snort made him pause and smile just a little. "Either it will become an epic tale of daring heroism, oooor an epic tale of danger, and a near escape. Either way, it will be epic." he nodded his head firmly, because he believed that either way the two of them finding the source of the whines, would help the other with creating new stories to tell along the way.

"Moss is good, and tasty...and good to lay on when the ground is too hard, or too cold. Or too hot." he sounded thoughtful again. "To the left, okay." he nodded and started off, towards the right, though the steps away made the whining seem a little quieter and without so much as a sigh he turned and started in the opposite direction, hearing the noises getting louder. "Alright, lets go see if we can help the noise maker, hm?"

@Izaeah

"Everything is epic, according to you, Follow." The words were soft but fond and Song shook his head somewhat. He couldn't imagine his life without this one in it, at this point and he didn't really want to imagine that life either, not really. Things had just been so right since they'd met. Ups and downs for sure, but still so right.

"This moss is going to be very bland, I think, and it might end up mostly being used as ground padding for us tonight." Which was fine, once they figured out the source of the whining and took care of whatever it was, he'd likely go out again and try to find something else for them to eat, even if it was something they'd been eating repeatedly over the last while. He didn't honestly mind so much, so long as it was filling.

Song couldn't help the grin as Follow clearly started off the wrong way. He kept himself quiet however, well aware that help wasn't needed as barely a few paces away and there, his companion was changing directions again. It was then, that he did chuckle softly and moved to tag along, keeping to Follow's side though there were a few quiet murmurs of 'root, five paces ahead' and such. He'd gotten used to that, in the end.

"I'm sure we'll do all we can to help, though." He had no idea what they were heading for but he was ready for it all.

@Lirilei

"Of course, especially when it concerns you." he spoke with a no nonsense tone, but there was affection laced all through it. He thought that Inspiring Song could do anything. Not to mention anything he himself could do, but better because eyesight. He was more than glad for the others vision, it had come in handier than his other senses more than once, though the same could be said about the reverse.

"Maybe so, but its better than nothing to eat, right? But sleeping on it does sound better I'll admit." no sense in denying that simple fact, really. The little calls of 'root' 'rock' 'hole' were appreciated and he navigated the terrain much smoother than he would have otherwise. Traveling with someone was soooooo much better than being on his own!

The whining died a little and then picked up with a fury. A few yips and growls could be heard as they got closer, and the source a sand dog, who'd gotten it's tail stuck in the split of a log and couldn't get it free. Nothing serious, just painful for the creature.

Follow had stopped as the sound grew abruptly louder and he turned towards the warmth at his side, and there a low "What is it?" he was trying not to call attention to themselves!


@Izaeah

"Well, you're delightfully biased, but thank you." Hey, he'd grown into himself some. He still wasn't exactly sure that his stories were epic, but they weren't bad, so that had to count for something, he figured. He tried to not spend too much time thinking about what he could, or not do, to make the stories he told to others they crossed paths with more interesting. The less he tried to force those stories, the better they were, he believed.

He hummed a little, nodding his head, even though he knew it couldn't be seen. "Using it for bedding might be our best option at this point, anything else can be found later. We're not starving just yet, mm?"

All in all, it was easy to make his way to the sound, just the same, calling out the things that were in the way was second nature and he only stopped saying anything when they came within sight of the animal in question. He tipped his head a moment as he studied the sand dog. He wasn't as familiar with them as he might have wanted but he'd heard of them plenty. He studied it a moment long, mostly to get a sense of what was wrong.

Another low hum from him, a quiet, soothing sound, "Sand dog, by the looks of thing. Has its tail stuck in the split of a log. I figure it might not be too hard to get it loose but I don't know that it will let me get close enough to do that without some distraction."

@Lirilei

There was a low chuckle as he was called biased but there was no denial from him about it either. He was aware he was and that was just fine with Follow the Voices in the long run. They both knew he was after all.

"True we're not. I'm sure I can help find something too." berries, edible flowers. They wouldn't starve, it would just take a little longer to get together enough to feel full, and sleep with ease. They'd had a few leaner meals, but nothing worryingly so in the long run.

"Well that would explain the noise." the loud, pained howls and yips. "Distraction? I can do that. Watch me distract!"

and there he went, trotting closer to the animal to draw it's attention. He wasn't yet sure how he'd distract it, but he'd figure something out...right?

@Izaeah

He would have argued right back, albeit half-heartedly, if this one had contested being called biased. He knew it was true and there just was no denying it. Follow was biased in his thoughts to him, and Song himself was biased on most--all, really--thoughts surrounding his lovely companion.

Song hardly minded the idea of leaner meals, it was a rare occurrence but it happened. They never went to sleep hungry and it was often interesting enough to tag along with Follow as the other, well, followed his nose to find them food that Song himself wouldn't have thought to look for.

"Follow!" The half-name was hissed in belated warning as his companion trotted off and closer to the caught animal. Song rolled his eyes, breathing out an exasperated sigh though he kept his gaze on the animal as much as he could. He just didn't know how it would act, at this point. Still. His attention partially on the sand dog, partially on the other buck, Song moved the long way around, just trying to make his way to the back of the dog to try and deal with the issue. He'd jump to Follow's rescue at any sign it would be needed, however.

@Lirilei

"It's fine, I'm fiiine!" he called out to his companion as he headed toward the upset sand dog. He stopped at what he felt might be a safe enough distance (he didn't feel anything from the dog... no breath from its barks, spittle, or even any dirt being flung, so he was probably good...right?)

"After we free the dog, we can try finding more food, alright? Maybe I can smell out some berries!" for the moment he faced in the direction of the whining dog, stomping a hoof on the ground to catch it's attention.

Maybe....just maybe it'd work a little. Though to be sure he started to talk at it. "Hey dog! Look at meeeee. Look over here, don't look at Song, nope, he's not there, it's just me!" sure it was nonsense, and now he was walking back and forth in what he was assumed in front of the dog while making all sorts of noises..."Maybe you can use a stick to get it loose? I don't know." called out to Song.

@Izaeah

Why was he even surprised? He should have been used to this behaviour by now! Still, it always left him on edge when he felt as though Follow was taking unnecessary risks. Not that the dog could get to his companion at this point but it hardly changed the fact that... well, Follow was as he was and that wouldn't change and it was all right, for the most part.

He watched for a long moment, the dog indeed seemed to be more interested in the strange noise happening in front of it and Song told himself that he still would have a mostly stern talking with his companion once they were done with this particular situation.

From where he stood, he could tell maybe just indeed a stick, if he could get it between the tail and the split in the log, to then try to tug it back, would get the thing loose. Otherwise, trying to break the split further was an option but not one he truly relished in trying to get done.

Breathing out a sigh, wishing he could let it heave out of him instead, Song paced away as lightly on his hooves as he could and located a stick. He bent down, picking it up. It was more a broken and dried branch than a stick but that was fine, it was better, really. He eased closer then, still watching the dog and, tipping his head just so, he worked on easing the branch between that tail and the split, hellbent on avoiding any touch to the dog at all so that he could try and work that tail loose.

@Lirilei

Of course Follow was very act first, think later. If he thought everything through he'd likely end up doing nothing, due to fright. He wasn't about to live a scared life. Even with a big strong kiokote at his side!

Follow heard the sigh, and could tell he was worrying the other, but there was nothing to be done for it now. "Too bad we didn't have a bit of meat for you doggo, bet you'd have caught the scent of that and calmed down. Though maybe not. Might've been louder trying to get at it. Still feeding you would have really distracted you!"

Yes he was talking at the dog even as he kept prancing around back and forth, more or less roughly in front of it. He was so lost in his talking he didn't realize until it was too late that Song had managed to free the sand dog, who was now barreling at him. What made him realize it was the sudden breath he could feel on his legs....and suddenly a happy, furry body slammed against his legs taking him to the ground with a startled cry.

It was the warm, wet tongue licking his face and nose that had the startled cry giving way to a loud laugh because it tickled. "Ack. No, stop!" the dog began to sniff his face then making him laugh more. "I can handle that. Sniff away!" but there it was back to licking. "Aaaaack, Song help!" he cried out in loud amusement as he kept laying there as the sand dog sniffed and licked him. "He's going to sniff me to death!"


@Izaeah

Too late indeed, with a stick in his mouth, calling out a warning was somewhat moot. Nevermind that his breath caught in his throat when the dog got loose. There was no way to know where, exactly, it was heading and that was even more terrifying than, well, most things they'd come across at this point. He didn't want anything happening ton Follow, even if he knew his slighter companion could hold his own just find at this point!

He'd started to move to follow the dog after he'd dropped his branch but stopped a few paces away, especially as the dog clearly... wasn't dangerous. At least, not by the laughter that was coming his way. He huffed softly under his breath, fighting the hint of a smile that was trying to surface. Instead, he shook his head somewhat and carefully finished moving closer to watch the going-ons.

The sniffing and licking certainly were doing no harm and he stayed still. "Well, to be quite honest, I think this is rather deserved of you, taking such big risks, I can't imagine you being sniffed to death but you wanted to help the pup, now you get to deal with the pup trying to get to know its saviour."

It was one way of looking at it! And certainly, it would make for an interesting story, he knew. He could change the details just so and it would be something more for his slowly growing repertoire of stories to be told.

Still, after a few more moments, he stepped closer, still somewhat wary of the animal since he felt as though he was the unknown at this point. He moved to stand next to his companion, ready to offer a nudge to get him back to his feet.

@Lirilei

He didn't know how long he laid in the ground laughing as he was sniffed and licked. All he knew was when it stopped, and when he heard Song talking to him. He carefully got back up onto his hooves, able to feel the dog near his legs...he could feel it's body heat! "I'm guessing it's okay by the way it reacted. I'm really glad." he was!

Still he could tell Song was...upset? Worried? Mad? He couldn't really tell...this sort of thing was new, and hadn't come up before so there was nothing to base the other bucks reactions on to help him. Instead he carefully moved closer (careful more to avoid kicking the dog, than any fear Song would snap at him), and rested his head against the others neck, a soft "I'm sorry I worried you. I didn't mean to." of course he didn't mean to.

Follow stayed that way for a few moments, before he felt the dog wind between their legs, tail thwacking them both. "What's....that?" how baffled he sounded. "Is it attacking us?"



@Izaeah