Shy Deer Steppes in the junkyard, it's every dog for himself.

shoko thought several things, none of them pharaoh when he beheld satsu. he thought of river stones and the old peaks of his home. her eyes reminded him of his mother; he had forgotten her face, but not her eyes. 

he had time now to see she was tired, her smile strained. he did not return it, for the expression would not be genuine. the stranger’s speech was unlike his own, so he turned an ear to better receive it. 

she apologized for the loss of his breakfast. shoko found such a thing unnecessary. he had little chance bringing down even the weakest of the herd on his own. her presence was simply a well timed deterrent to avoid doing something stupid. 

i was wishing rather than hunting. shoko confessed, still unaware of the lingering presence of satsu’s guard. breakfast would be nice, though. 

after this he fell silent, for shoko had the opposite problem: he had only his own company for companionship these days, and was at a loss for much more to say.