Project Dream Preview, Chapter 3

“Who–?” abruptly, Alo was woken from his substance induced coma, “wh–who’s there…?” a shrill pierced atop the rafters eerie creaks, “h-hello…?,” he felt about, “the quiver…wh-where is it—?” the whistles ceased, yet the racket endured…

Leerily, his light steps were essentially unobstructed aside his stomach’s occasional knot. He leaned across the kitchen threshold: where once jumbled pots and pans were strewn, towered organized, polished stacks; stoveside, a spouted cauldron steamed.

“Ah, revere the day,” chimed a slightly larger, Dark Ursine, golden-clad by a sol-symboled cuirass over a teal, short sleeve, jasmine-embroidered shirt; strangely their forearms were unhaired, “or afternoon,” they chuckled and dried a jar ‘fore their lengthy mane was re-fastened into a bun, “forgive the commotion, the lodge was a bit unkempt, so I—ah,” their eyes fled, “why’re you…undressed…?…Ah…anyhow…t’is snowing,” with an upheld head, “I made tea,” they sought a porcelain cup, motiffed akin to their armor…

Aleer, Alo deeply snuffed the air, “…who are you?” 

“My apologies, I’m Hinto, a hunter—more or less—from Sampata, a minor town far East; I arrived at dawn…were you,” he tilted the kettle, “uninformed? I sent a letter.” the drink was offered, “you must be Alo, I’ve heard of you, though, you’re larger than expected for a runt–”

“I know why you’re here,” he glared at the amber steep—in a single swig, t’was drained, “you seek to–…to…” 

“…Enjoy it? I’m glad, you seemed ill—”

“Cease!” his fangs flashed, yet the vessel was gingerly rested, “you’ll not subvert me.” 

“Ah, the reports are true, you’ve quite a temper! But be unthreatened, I’m sincerely honored: I haven’t had a companion in years, never a runt–”

“For all our sake, I’m best alone…”

“With deep respect, your performance begs to differ–”

“My skill nor effort should be questioned!” awkwardly, Hinto passed by, “the game has vanished: you’ll not restore them!”

“Ah, perhaps not…though I’ll not worsen matters–”

“So you think—stop, leave those be!”

“But we prefer cleanliness where I’m from—”

“We’re not East!”

“…Thankfully…” over his shoulder, he gathered a few stray rags trailing to Alo’s heap, “why sleep here when you’ve sev’ral rooms above—?”

“T’isn’t your concern, now replace my clothes, too, reveal where you’ve hidden my bow and quiver, you Eastern filth!”

“Ah,” a fist formed, “to scorn one’s origin is impolite, for one, all Ursine share,” Alo was backed to a corner; his stirred innards hindered any attempt at a dominant stance, “if you care not for yourself nor home, you’ve not right to slander me.”

“I’ll do as I please, for t’is my kin’s lodge, my kin’s village.”

“I long not to usurp, but to assist a friend, if you’ll consider me.” 

“…I’ve sustained us through sparse Winters and worse,” Hinto’s hand was swatted, “I’ll again,” a belch was blown, “without you.”

“Eugh…your weapon,” the garbs were shoved to Alo’s chest, “are in the great room closet…I suppose,” the stranger donned a coat, “I’ll tour Keenda myself.”

“Well…fine! A-and…and dare not ret-!” the entry slammed, “return…”

“…How foolish…” it hissed within, “how blind…how cruel…” 

Alo’s garments were re-strewn, “…this day’s but begun, yet,” he scoured for his mutations, but consoled by Dark Ursine’s candor, “I seek its end…”

“…How callow…” the pit was approached, “from whom do you flee…?”

“…Such a loathsome life” the clay flask was risen: Alo lapped at the scant remains. 

“…For all is as you deemed…” 

The runt’s mind flickered: the interior further dimmed… “please, oh, Natural Order, please! From this slumber, I wish not wake…”

~

“I—I must, I-I-I’ll not…I’ll not care for them both!” a cerise thread ran from their temple; a bundle was jealously clutched.

“I’ll behave, Forbear, I promise! W-wait! Forgive me, please! t’was an accident, I swear it!!” afalter, the cub dropped a bottle of liquor, “Forbear, please, please!” in both hands, the frayed book was passionately held, “…leave me not alone with him…”

~