Horizon Ridge just put a pin in it

It was funny that he'd never really talked about it, before. By the time it began in earnest, he'd been far from his family, and anyone who might truly know the cause of his ailment. He'd gotten through most of his travels with interacting too closely with anyone, and his pack did not seem interested in knowing the story of his past - perhaps that was for the best. But it wouldn't hurt to talk about it, now.

"I guess so," he said, feeling only mild discomfort at the prolonged eye contact. "There was a fire that swept through my homeland, and we all got out fine - thank the Calf - but I think I hurt my eyes. I would get infections in them on and off when I was little, and by the time that stopped, my vision was just a little fuzzy... and over the years, the fuzziness just gets worse," he explained. "It's not that bad in the daytime, but at night, it's kind of hard to see things much smaller than a raccoon."

It felt nice to tell the story to someone - though he wished now that he'd thrown in something heroic about saving a pup instead of the bare bones basics.

"What about you? Any cool scars?" he asked the female, edging back toward the kill when it didn't look like she'd be taking any more. Another leg would do it, and then he'd leave the rest for her or take it home for little Adeline. Even if he hadn't met her yet.