Blacktail Deer Plateau mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?

"you have lived a good life," hari whispered, his voice just inches from aditya's ear. he felt the breath stir his pelt, though in truth, it was merely a breeze moving through the den. a comfort, at that--it cooled his sweating for an instant, though now he shivered. oh, god. he was so cold, now. "you will have good fortune in your next."

he shook his head slowly, wincing at the aching pain such a small action caused him. "no. . .not ready. . ." panic bubbled up in his throat, and he began to gag, coughing and dry-heaving until he was left, gasping, a thin string of foul-smelling drool hanging from his lower lip. aditya shook, curling into a semi-circle, muttering, "no. . .no. . .no. . ." intermittently, doggedly clinging to wakefulness. . .and to life.

a sleek pale figure slipped into the den, avoiding his notice at first. but when her muzzle prodded his abdomen, his golden eyes shot open, flashing even in the dim light. "haaa!" he gasped, his breath leaving him explosively. he blinked, then blinked once more, then again, eventually looking like a deranged, sickly owl.

then tears filled his eyes as the touch registered in his mind, one drop escaping to trail slowly down his cheek. she was here. she had finally come for him. he had felt her rescue him from the depths of the ocean, and heard her voice. it hadn't been his time yet. . .but now it was.

"maa," he whispered, a sob caught in his throat. he reached his muzzle out, yearning for her scent, her touch, things he hadn't had in so long. so long.