this was a season of transition. learning to move was difficult but not impossible. it'd been a few days since anathi'd left the den. he was able to maneuver, albeit poorly, and could stand for seconds at a time. count it all joy, he thought. 

there was no time for rest. when he wasn't attempting (and failing) to hunt, anathi was working on his balance. without consistent movement, his muscles would atrophy (umntu ofileyo, they called it) and the hunter would never again know health.

that wasn't an option, he decided. 

ahead was a stranger, a female it seemed. there'd been too many encounters with her type wherein anathi was in a place of need. this time, even on his wobbly legs, he had to show his power. it took him a moment to steady himself, but soon enough, he was standing somewhat still. he chuffed and waited for her response.

even if he'd understood the question, anathi would have held his tongue. it was improper to make requests of a female who wasn't yours. this wasn't a woman of the west, but she was a woman. a very pretty one, too.

andiqondi., he sighed. there was no use in trying to make conversation with these wolves because none of them understood anyway. 

he noticed that she'd been eyeing the berry bush. bessies, anathi said, hungry? he wasn't at his most capable state, but if the lady wanted some food then he was willing to make an attempt.

me too, anathi repeated, wat me too? it didn't sound like anything edible, but nothing did. not when translated to english, at least. besides, even if it was just an insignificant word, he thought that it would be in his best favor to try and learn their language. it seemed like he'd was stuck there, unfortunately.

he remembered the ebony-furred femme from the pond. eh, water? if there was water, anathi could (probably) fish. the small frogs and sickly fish that swarmed by the banks were a large part of his sustenance during this period of inability.

anathi nodded along. cha-nel va... va-che-li. okay. me and my sounded remarkably alike, so he was able to deduce that this was her name. me, rhode. it was one of his first english introductions and honestly, he felt quite proud. 

there was a request made but the details were lost. if not for chanel's enthusiastic spin and expectant look, he might have thought that she was simply growing tired of conversation. anathi tried to walk a few steps but faltered. he looked apologetically at his companion as he attempted once more to stand upright.

chanel kept her distance but the concern was clear. to be fawned over was something that anathi dreaded, especially by this stranger. she couldn't have known the disrespect that he'd interpreted from her tone so he chose not to hold it against her. foreign women, they were... different.

it took a moment longer than he might have hoped but anathi did make it back onto all fours. he took two steps forward, wobbled, then took another. me, ek is okay. sien? the balance, it was hardly there but there nonetheless. om water, okay?

anathi hoped that chanel wasn't leading him too far. the fatigue was beginning to set in and soon, his muscles would give out. every few steps, he would be nearly toppled over before regaining his balance. me come, okay? he would laugh, if only to quiet her concern.

the sound of rushing water came as a song from heaven. phew! anathi exclaimed. he waited to be led to their resting place before fully giving out.

die water is here, anathi repeated, then muttering, what here? there were few similarities in their languages, but he was always glad when a new one arose. it didn't matter that 'thirsty' meant nothing to him because it wasn't the point of them being here, anyway. hungry, he said with a nod, eh, fish, eet. verstaan? whether chanel did or not, the hunter was ready to begin. 

positioning himself to crawl, anathi pulled himself just over the river bank. the water was quiet as the fish hid beneath its surface. the lessons taught by swartwolf were fresh in his memory. still, calm, she'd told him. anathi waited patiently for the first opportunity to arise.

anathi really sucked at fishing. seeing yet another female out perform him, well, it didn't feel good. and for her to have been so ladylike! there were no fish in his pool of reach, but he knew that coming up with nothing wasn't an option.

the hunter waited patiently for an opportunity to arise, but one never did. he decided to just go for it, see what the water had to offer, and was surprisingly gifted a small (unimpressive) fish. it was good enough, he decided.

once these legs started working and the herds returned, anathi knew he'd have more to show off. in the meantime, he'd survive. ek het een! kyk na my, chanel.

wanna wrap? we can just have this fade on them eating lmao

it felt... insulting to be instructed with such basic language. anathi couldn't be angry for too long, as even he could admit that anything more complex would have gone over his head. eat, chanel, he replied, a sweet smile accompanying the command.

the two of them, they would enjoy their meal and eventually depart. anathi was resigned to simply enjoying the time that they had together.