The place, as wonderful as it might have been to the stranger, set him on edge.
His fur might have raised with such internal ruckus had it not curled some along his spine. Difficult for it to stand in such a condition.
As poor conditioned as his whole body was, it was a wonder that he even managed to stand himself.
At least, he figured, the herbal scent of the place masked him well enough. Some lively in the air to cover up his stench of confused hormones and healing injury. However if it covered him, then surely it covered anything else as well.
Like the man who bathed in mint.
It stirred something within him and all he could do was gawk at the sight like a nervous intruder.
no worries! <3
note: i imagine his voice something like
this (some swearing)
"I.....mmh.....hello..."
His own heart thumped wildly in his chest. It threatened to smother out all of his oxygen.
As if he needed anymore brain damage.
Oh. Hello,
He croaked back hesitantly. Tail curled to press up between his legs, tight against his underside. Instinctually protective of himself.
Yet his eyes roamed the figure.
Pale and fur intertwined with those scented leaves. Two dots. One on each cheek. Earthy eyes.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen before — even if he could not remember all the things he had seen before.
No, no, nonono.
His narrow head shook side to side until he felt an ache in his neck. As if someone had a tight but dull grip on him. Not a fresh pain, something aged and ripened.
Suddenly he halted all movement. Lurched slightly from the unexpected sensation he had caused within himself.
I'm not going anywhere.
The words felt odd and poorly placed. Then there was a deep crooning voice in the back of his mind.
Try again, boy.
I meant I don't know where I'd go if I passed.
Better. Still odd, but better.