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Survivor always loved the exploration, but thanks to the rain it always cuts short to him having to find a den in a hurry. During his travels he likes the little things such as the smells, the sight and the sound. There are so many creatures prowling around, he can barely take it all in or be in awe. Too busy running for his life or trying to fend predators back with spears.
He wasn't really a big eater though. He always sticks to batflies and little insects or fruit. Despite that he always felt hungry at the end of the cycle. No matter what he had difficulty finding food. Though there is one slugcat he knows that can eat a whole lizard and one dead lizard is there lying in front of his den. He stared at the big corpse with surprise. He hopes it wont attract any bigger creatures.
He sniffed the air and found his scent on the vines. There was hunter, the crimson slugcat was hanging from above, he was silently staring him down. Almost as if he was expecting an answer from him. He always looked so intimidating no matter how many times he had seen the hunter. Whenever he comes in contact with him, the hunter always seems to kill off a big creature. At first he thought it was a threat.
His ear twitched and he slowly watched the hunter climb down. Stealthily with grace, the hunter plopped down in front of him. The hunter tilted his head and pointedly stared at the corpse. Survivor gulped at the intense stare down, he didn't think he could stomach the green lizard. Even then the hunter made a show of eating it and tried to give him a piece of meat as well.
"I can't eat that." He said, his stomach turning when the hunter paused to look at him. Quick as the wind, the hunter left. He thought that would be it, with him being alone again to scavenge for food. That is until a blue fruit fell on his head. He shook his head and glared at the offending fruit. Then he looked up and there was Hunter plucking the fruits.
He couldn't believe the hunter was actually getting fruit for him. It's clear that the hunter never ate fruit or batflies, just anything small and preferred meat, especially big creatures to eat. A batfly or fruit never satisfied him unlike himself who always felt full after a few of them.
While the survivor is an omnivore, the hunter seems to play the carnivore role, he shivered a little at the sharp teeth that sometimes show when the hunter opens his mouth. Once again the hunter drops down again, the fall didn't bother he hunter all that much and it looked like a big drop. Besides how can he even get up that fast?
The survivor glanced at the hunter's paw, the crimson presented a fruit to him all waiting and patient. Shaking off his earlier confusion, he took the fruit carefully and ate it in a few bites. That was all the convincing he needed to eat the rest of the bunch. He can still hear the hunter feasting on the lizard's corpse. It felt a bit surreal to eat next to him. Normally the hunter doesn't care about others and solely focuses on himself. He even feared that he would end up in the hunter's menu.
For now his stomach was satisfied, he was actually glad he doesn't have to starve again or desperately try to catch these pesky batflies. He glanced to hunter only for him to be gone. The survivor blinked and stared at the spot. That was weird and the lizard seems to be gone too. That's a relief, a vulture or another lizard wont do. Perhaps it was all a dream?
Another cycle and he wished the hunter was there again. This day wasnt his day because no matter how much he tried, he couldn't find a good food source. All the blue fruit had been plucked and all the batflies migrated in dangerous territory. Left and right he saw green and pink lizards either chasing off all the batflies or chasing him. He performed even worse on climbing or hunting when he's starving.
Annoyed and frustrated he had no choice but to try and chase away the lizard currently at a small swarm of batflies. He grabbed its attention by throwing a rock at it. It hit square on the face and it hissed angrily at him. The green lizards are very slow compared to its other coloured counterparts. That he knows of experience. He grabbed a pole and climbed up. The green lizard desperately tried climbing it, but it was too heavy.
Looks like he's not the only hungry one. He jumped on a platform and crouched down to leap at the batfly. Surprisingly he caught one and the others dived and burrowed in the grass. He had no time to be prideful or happy about his catch as a snap from behind reminded him of the danger. He jumped through a pipe and ended up falling in the next room.
The long drop made him dizzy for a bit. It took some time to get his strength back, but the adrenaline came back full force when he heard another creature drop. The lizard is still chasing him with saliva coating his jaw. He then remembered the batfly he dropped, but to his disappointment it flew away before he can catch it again.
And there was no time to chase it either. He ran and ran while the lizard is hot in pursuit. Then he saw the scavengers, a lot of them and with sharp spears. Instinctively he ducked and most of the spears hit the lizard. It hissed before running away with its tail between its legs. The biggest scavenger pointed at him and since the lizard is gone, he's the only threat to them.
Then he ran again, but this time the opposite way. He wished he had a pearl stored somewhere to throw it at them. He grimaced when a spear nearly hit his head and he immediately stopped when he noticed another shadow. The spear landed on the ground far too close to him, it almost touched him and his fur stood up from fright.
He grabbed the spear and he looked around his surroundings. He ducked to dodge an incoming spear and when he looked up he saw a big centipede crawling on the ceiling. He threw at it and it hit full center. The centipede fell from the ground on top of the scavengers. Some of them got crushed by the centipede and shocked. Others scattered to different directions.
The adrenaline wore off and retreated to the safety of his den. He doesn't want to experience that again, that was far too close and this time he'll stay safe in his den. He sighed in relief when he arrived in his den, but he noticed something strange. There is a stack of blue fruits in his den and he's sure he never stored any of them in his den for later. How did that get there? Speculations come later because the stomach comes first. He happily ate all of the fruit, ready to hibernate.
The next day there was a pearl at his den. Well several, he was worried some of the scavengers were nearby and dropped these by accident or went back to hunt him down. But surely they would notice a small pile of pearls. He crept closer to the pile and sniffed at it. He recoiled back when he smelled the hunter again. What was he doing messing with scavengers?
A majority of the pearls were silver or white, more resembling his fur. It looked very shiny as if it had been polished in water. The hunter really took good care of them. It was a nice gift for him to do, but there are just too many. He might give some of them to the scavengers so they wont attack him.
He put some of the pearls in his den before heading out to find food. He knew this place like the back of his hand. All the narrow spots and predators. He crawled through the narrow pipes and climbed up on a long vine leading to the surface. He went all the way to the left side, through his adventure he worryingly looked back. It was a far distance away from the den and the rain might come soon once he's done.
He couldn't find a place with food elsewhere so it's his only option. Eventually he arrived at a huge place. The batflies were swarming this time, seems like they migrated here. But there were also narrow nests, most likely from lizards or big insects.
It's quite risky, but you dont get rewarded when you dont take the risk. Slowly he climbed up and crouched down to watch them flutter around. He prepared himself to jump and leaped towards one of them. Unfortunately he miscalculated the jump and he almost grabbed the batfly before falling on the ground with a loud thud.
He wasn't the greatest at hunting, that he will admit. He looked up again at the batflies, they were slowly moving away from this place. If he wasn't quick, they will migrate somewhere else. A loud hiss was heard from behind, he immediately stood stock still and looked behind him. An open jaw with sharp teeth and a glowing pink head is all he sees before it sprung. He jumped out of the way of the terrifying bite. Its jaw clamped down making a sharp snapping noise.
He ran to the other side and got a hold on the pole before starting to climb. He can see the pink lizard moving clumsily, but it had no problem climbing the pole as well. He jumped to dodge another bite and ended up on a dead end when he ran further. The pink lizard is very fast, it managed to keep up with him unlike the green lizards. He turned his back on the wall and hissed at the lizard.
Just then a spear hit the back of the lizard. The lizard now has its attention on the attacker. Surprisingly it is the hunter. The hunter glared at the lizard, he's never seen him so angry like this. The lizard leaped, but the hunter jumped over it with a flip and stabbed it several times with his spear.
A thud was the only indicator that it was dead aside from the dimming light. He never knew the hunter was so skilled, with the way he fought he must have a ton of experience fighting these predators. The initial shock that he even was here still lingered. He forgot to breath for a second and his heartbeats weren't any better. The hunter ripped out the spear from the lizard's body and put it on his back.
The sky darkened and if he went back now while he never ate anything then the chances of survival seem slim. The hunter approached him, a paw was placed on his head and for a second his brain stopped. What was he doing? Suddenly the hunter brought his head to the hunter's chest. He didn't realise his hard breathing after the almost death experience. After a few long breaths, his breathing calmed along with his heartbeat.
The hunter was comforting him. The thought crossed his mind and he didn't think that was a sentence that would ever be real. "Thank you." It was only polite to say it. The hunter nodded and backed off from him. Then the crimson looked up to see some raindrops fall, it was a miracle the ground hasn't shook yet because they were here for a while. The hunter gestured for him to follow.
There wasn't anything else he could do. His stomach protested against walking again and the loud sound made him look at the ground embarrassed. The hunter tilted his head at the sound and gestured for him to come more urgently. He wasn't sure what the hunter wanted from him every time he sees the slugcat. The hunter was always a show but no tell kind of cat.
They were in a cozy cave with his shelter being there too. The cave had some hanging fruits near the den. The hunter plucked one out and like last time he offered it towards the survivor. But unlike last time he took it far quicker. The hunger was very unbearable all day and the food is very appreciated. The ground started to shake and he took the remaining fruit in the hunter's shelter. It was kinda small so it was impossible to not go into their personal space.
The hunter didn't seem to mind though as it gladly sat next to him huddled so close. For now he can only focus on eating the fruit, it's very tasty and the warmth of the other made the space comfortable. That night they cuddled to combat the cold of the night. A luxury he didn't have when he slept alone, especially during winter or when he had to rush through the dangerous flooding rain.
The next day he didn't see the hunter in his shelter. He woke up alone and there was a lone spear embedded on the ground in front of the shelter. The hunter must have left it there if something dangerous was going to crawl in the cave. That's thoughtful, he picked the spear up and carefully exited the cave. The sun almost blinded him when he stepped outside. He wondered where the hunter went, he guessed to go out and hunt since it's in the middle of the day.
He doesn't know how long he had slept for and the time only keeps ticking. Wether it's safe to go to his own den is a puzzle, the journey now seems daunting and he'd rather not drown or go in his den with a wet, cold coat. Speaking of wet coat, he heard the hunter's footsteps and he snorted in amusement at the sight.
The hunter is completely drenched, leaving a trail of water on the ground. The hunter's expression looks grumpy and he'd imagine it be just as awful being in the same situation. The hunter shook off the water from his coat and he quickly backed away to avoid any water drops coming his way. He now looks ridiculous with the fuzzy coat, then he noticed something in his paw.
In his paw there is a small, white creature. A jellyfish, the hunter once again presented the food to him and the survivor curiously took a bite out of it. It tasted good, he hasn't eaten a jellyfish in so long since he permanently stayed in the outskirts. Though the fact that the hunter went out of his way to go to another location than the outskirts and swim in the water just to get him a jelly fish is oddly sweet. Or maybe the hunter likes to challenge himself in dangerous situations.
It wasn't the first time the hunter made such a ridiculous trip only to come back with a shiny rock. It will make do as a shiny decoration for his temporary shelter. Though this is the first time he has seen the hunter not migrating elsewhere. Normally the hunter would change shelter each cycle, he never stays in a den or in one area and always prefers to move.
Yet the hunter is adamant in giving him gifts and providing him food, perhaps even protection. Going to another area would make sense if he's going to be in this shelter for a while. He just realised he's been staring lost in his thoughts when the hunter slowly retracted the jellyfish. He swiftly grabbed the jellyfish out of the hunter's hold and ate it all.
When he looked up the hunter's face looked bewildered before looking relieved. He always had a scary face, but now he loves how expressive it is. He's not sure when the hunter began caring about his well being so much. The slugcat can be such a difficult puzzle to solve sometimes. He tilted his head. "Aren't you supposed to eat as well?" He asked, the hunter looked down and nodded. He chuckled when he heard the other's stomach rumble.
"I'll help you." He said and walked past the hunter who kept staring at him. A brush of his tail to the hunter's face made him snap out of it and walked faster to walk next to him. The hunter pointed up, probably signifying wether there is enough time before the rain comes. It looks very sunny however and he would not want him to starve. Not after going to such lengths for a gift.
"We'll have time." The hunter sighed at the reply and gave him a spear while grabbing the one on his back to use. That didn't take much convincing. They traversed through the pipes and poles until they reached the top. A ton of batfliess swarmed through the area and he couldn't help but admire the sunlight. Then he saw a shadow, he didn't think much at first until he felt impact from the left and falling om the ground with someone on top.
The vulture screeched flying above them. It almost swooped and grabbed him by its beak. The hunter was above him and glaring at the vulture, he must have pushed him out of the way before it could reach him. The two stood up and took out their spears. The two jumped away when it swooped in again and he threw a spear hitting it from the back.
The vulture staggered and tried flying up again, but the hunter grabbed a hold on to the spear and climbed up. The vulture shook violently and it almost threw him off, but the crimson kept climbing up till he reached its head and stabbed a spear in its neck. It tried shaking him off by hitting the walls and flying unpredictably, but the hunter did not relent and finished it off by stabbing it a few more times with his spear.
With a screech it fell on the ground and he could see the mask missing from its head and instead the hunter towered over him wearing its mask. He stood in awe at the hunter as he ripped the spear off its neck. That is the hunter he knew back when they weren't so close. When they were only strangers and the mysteriousness that surrounded the slugcat was big.
It was like the first time they laid their eyes on each other back when the hunter killed a centipede and presented his kill the same way the vulture died. Standing over it proudly like he did now. In the present he noticed the hunter taking off the mask and in the place of a mask is him sticking out his tongue playfully. The survivor giggled at the childish gesture. To think the hunter would do something as childish as that while standing over one of the most terrifying creatures.
"That was amazing!" He said with glee and admiration. The hunter puffed up at the praise with pride. Standing a little straighter and closing his eyes. Showing he isnt scared, but very confident. He might have overblown his ego a bit by his praise, but the other deserves it after that display. He can't help, but be impressed by the kill. Then he paused and registered the words in his head.
The sudden pause made the hunter worried. He stepped down from the vulture and ate its meat from the spear. Then he suddenly jumped up and looked at the hunter incredulous. "Were you impressing me?" The sudden question startled the hunter and he backed away from embarrassment. He rapidly shook his head and denied it when the survivor began teasing him about it.
A small rain drop on his nose made him remember why they were here so fast in the first place. The hunter noticed as well when the sky turned dark and gritted his teeth. He quickly ate from the vulture and gestured for him to follow. Halfway their travel the ground shook like an earthquake and rain began pouring down. He grimaced when the cave is almost full of water thanks to the rain. Looks like they have to sleep with a wet coat.
They fortunately arrived in the hunter's shelter on time and the shelter safely locked up. Now they can only hear the dangerous rain outside. It felt soothing whenever he was inside his den hearing the rain, but only inside. The outside it was like an omen of death. The two shivered inside the small place and huddled together to stay warm.
Their tails intertwined and the hunter's head rested on top of his. He closed his eyes, lulled by the sound of rain and the hunter next to him purring. It's something he didnt expect to throw him off his schedule, but it's a welcome change. This time he doesn't feel hungry.