into the depths

Kesho Maisha · 01-19-2011, 11:51 PM

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SSWM: 860

Kesho had stalked a thing or two in his time. He was practiced, you could say. Experienced. It was different, though, tracking and hunting inside of a cave. His senses didn't work as well; they became confused. Echoes bounced off of the walls, distracting his ears' attention. Scents mingled with the dingy, dusty air of the caverns and made his nostrils unsure. Shadows danced in the darkness and played tricks on his eyes, still adjusting from the stark difference from daylight. But still, his senses were strong. They identified, as he closed in.

A young avian, perhaps days' old dried blood, and the scent of the pathetic little thing's urine and feces, which had built up all around it from the thing being unable to move. As Kesho moved forward, a small amount of light managed to allow him to see what they had heard, what he had been expecting to attack, to kill.

Abruptly, Kesho stopped his feet from advancing, lifting his head, ears now fully erect, staring straight ahead at their quarry through dark red eyes. He narrowed his eyelids briefly, momentarily unsure, before approaching the wriggling creature.

It was a young owl, clearly fallen from it's tree, it's wing perhaps broken, perhaps in it's first attempt at flight. Kesho scoffed, glancing down at the tiny beast. It was useless now, it's wing broken, it's feathers ruffled and out of line. Would it even be able to fly, if it healed? Now, it seemed pitiful, hopeless. Kesho lifted a paw and prodded the small bird, wondering if he'd even get a response. Sure enough, he did, and that horrible noise echoed deeply throughout the cavern again, immediately causing Kesho to retreat several feet, his ears pinned to his skull and a snarl on his lips. With a low growl, he turned to Itzal.

"It's just a fucking bird." he muttered with a frown, looking up at the ceiling and noticing the perfectly sized hole in a nearby corner of the wall. That must have been where the thing had come from. Stupid animal. But then, maybe it wasn't. What a strange angle the bird had to have been flying in to get into the cavern like that. Reconsidering the beast, Kesho eyed it again.

The thing floundered about, flapping it's wings, occasionally letting out a scream of pain as it rolled onto it's injured wing. Then, as if sensing it's possible savior, the bird straightened itself, standing on two legs as firmly as it's starving body would allow. It's wings came to a rest beside it's body as it willfully stared back at Kesho, as if determined to find a way out. Well, then... Kesho thought, an eyebrow quirked in amusement.

Without a word, he shifted. His body changed, his spine rearranging itself into a two-legged template as his muscles strengthened and his fur lengthened. He was much taller now, and these caverns were still quite small. Kesho's head nearly hit the ceiling, but he lacked several more inches. Glaring down now, stretching his arms out, knuckles cracking as he stood, feeling glad, for once, to have this form to use at all. He bent down and, as gently as possible, picked up the bird by it's feet, rising to his feet and turning to carry it back, the creature dangling in his grasp. It would not be hurt by his grip, but allowed Kesho to control the thing, keep it from flapping about stupidly. He would take it home, find it something to eat, and raise it. This creature would make a nice pet. It would do well to have a night guard in Inferni. Kesho would train it to alert them of enemies, of dangers, of food. Yes, yes, that'd be wonderful...

"Well, that was exciting." Kesho said in a dull monotone, standing briefly beside his companion. "He'll make a good night guard." he stated vaguely, gruffly as he continued on, back towards the entrance, now on two legs.

Now, what was he to do? It became obvious to him instantly that he had no mode of confining the beast. That would need to change. He would also immediately need a home. One of these caves would probably do, Kesho thought, glancing around as they approached the slightly more well-lit section of the cavern. Once more, they passed by that antelope skeleton, and, unable to help himself, Kesho bent and took the skull, shaking off the debris and cobwebs covering it. The thing still had a small amount of fur attached to it, but that was fine. He would clean it and have it made into a glorious helmet later, fit to the head of his Optime form. What a grand day.

"It'd make a good helmet, eh?" he muttered, lifting the skull up and out towards the dark shape of Itzal. He was out of hands, now, though. With any luck, they would not encounter much trouble at their departure from this cavern. After all, there were still many more to explore.

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