Deepwood Weald bite my tongue

@Orochi

he'd run headfirst into the thicket of dead shrubbery, the first signs of spring slowly revealing themselves in the snowmelt and half dead ferns that littered the ground. usually he was good with his sense of direction, but here everything looked the same and smelt the same and before he knew it he was lost within a maze of underbrush.

his nose was no more useful to him than his eyes were, and so he decided the next best option was to see if anyone else was in the area. and so, after sucking in a breath, he tipped his head skyward and called for the attention of anyone who might spare a minute of their time for a lost fool like him.

He had navigated through the land perfectly fine thus far (which had admittedly surprised him). It was only a matter of time before his luck would run out.

This weald was a pain in the ass. It was dark, everything looked the same, there was seemingly no end in sight. Orochi would get increasingly infuriated with every passing moment. The sound of him crushing foliage between teeth echoed through the woods.

His ears perked up when he heard the call. They sounded close enough, so he headed in their direction. When Orochi spotted him, he chuffed to make his presence known.

the woods were unsettling, if only because they looked like they popped right out of someone's nightmare. so, when the sudden sound of the adolescence's greeting seemingly came out of nowhere, it was only natural he reacted the way he did. hairs stood on edge, a chill ran down his spine, ears splayed flat against his crown.

the displayed didn't last very long, a moment or two at most, before he perked back up with a relieved smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "hey" he greeted, tail giving a flick as he looked over the younger man's features. "you wouldn't happen to know the way out of here would you?"

It's this guy's unlucky day. Orochi was no skilled scout; just a hotheaded boy that went wherever his legs took him (sadly it had to be through a maze). Not only that, but he had a huge ego, and admitting that he didn't know where to go would damage it.

Course I do. What, you need help? He lifted his chin and smirked.

he didn't look like your typical scout, especially not with that missing leg of his. but hey, astaroth wasn't one to judge, at least not now anyways. "i do, though only if you're offering" he returned with a toothy smirk of his own. he'd been through his brat phase and had thankfully had outgrown it, but traits still remained, namely his sarcasm and sass.

and so it was with an arch of his brow and twitch of his tail that he turned to glance from the shrubbery around them to the confident youth, a silent command for him to lead the way if he planned on being of any help.

Under normal circumstances when he was, y'know, thinking, he'd step back and see how terrible an idea this was. He had know idea how to get out of here, and that'd become clear in a few minutes to come. But shortsighted Orochi takes the lead without a second thought. Let the embarrassment begin!

Minute one: He's high on a rush of pride.
Minute two: He's slowly starting to realize his mistake.
Minute three: He feels like an idiot, but hides it behind a now wavering grin.

he followed, and followed, and followed until eventually, the realization set in that the hotheaded youth had absolutely no idea where he was or how to get out of here. still, astaroth continued to trail after him, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"you have no idea where you're going, do you?" of course he didn't. without bothering to wait for a response, the inky ghoul slid back on inky haunches, a sigh escaping into the air. after a moment of sitting there and staring at nothing but the earth's floor, astaroth rose with a new burst of energy. "wanna make a bet?"

Well, the confidence was nice while it lasted. As soon as the man realized he was a fraud an all too familiar warmth flushed through his cheeks. This was too embarrassing. If he tried negating the obvious truth he'd just be digging a deeper hole. Orochi whipped around, glared, but held his tongue.

At least his lie wasn't dwelled upon. The stranger shot up, offering a bet. Bet? He raised a brow. What kind of bet?

he cracked a smile at the youth's willingness, tongue clicking against the top of his mouth. "i bet i can get out of these woods before you can" he dared, claws digging into the snow peppered earth.

"loser pays up with a meal" he suggested with a wink, wondering if he'd be up for the challenge. it'd be a fun way to escape these damn woods, at least for the winner that is.

Bet you can't, he blurts. Forget all the doubts he had earlier. If this was going to be a competition then Orochi just had to win. He'd worry about his terrible navigation skills later. You're on.

a scheming smile crept it's way along his maw at the boy's acceptance to his challenge. "ready?" he asked, though in truth didn't expect a response. "set" he called out, glancing around for what looked like the easiest way out of this labyrinth. "go!" and with that he was off, a flash of ebony dashing off into the unknown. his plan, while not the most brilliant, was sure to prove fruitful. he'd just run until the forest came to an end. that had to work, didn't it?

by some stroke of luck, his plan actually worked. the comforting sight of sunlight revealed itself to him as he leapt through the last defenses of the weald's shrubbery. he stopped only to catch his breath just enough to send up a howl for the hotheaded youth. you owe me a meal - was what the message conveyed before he plopped himself on his rear and awaited the youth to pay up his debt.