Italtics- Thoughts

Any words that I feel need to be explained (or will do just to make sure) will be posted here. They will also be underlined in the chapter the first time they appear.

Hatchling: Basically a newborn Drupper.
Yearling: a one year old animal
—————————-

Omega kept his eyes shut, waiting for some pain or attack. He didn't feel anything.

Am.. am I dead?

The distinct lack of feeling any attack made him initially think that, yes, he is dead. If it weren't for the distinct feeling of heat of the fire behind him, he probably would have believed as such. The more he thought about the heat the more he realized he could still feel the stinging sensation from his leg. The momentary rush of joy and slight sadness- why the second feeling he wasn't sure- he got from his realization of living soon was clouded by questions.

Why? How?

To answer those questions, he'd have to open his eyes. He'd have to face the horror that plagued his mind and would probably continue to plague his mind for seasons to come.

Fear held him, but he had to know. He needed to know.

So he opened his eyes.

There was now another drupper- taller than Camp- fighting off Omega's would be predator. They both growled ferociously.

"You! You dare interfere with my hunt?!"

"You dare harm such a young life?" Omega's savior replied. Their copper fur shining a golden color in the fire's light.

Camp lunges towards the savior's neck, but they were far too quick. The drupper leaped to the left, claws raking down Camp's side.

It was hard to tell what blood was Camp's and what blood was from the victim before Omega. Camp was panting heavily, already exhausted from using his powers and chasing Omega.

"I'm giving you this chance once, either go now or accept your fate. You know you can't beat me here." The savior's voice was cold and harsh.

Camp growled back, he glanced at Omega before turning tail and running away. The fire surrounding Omega and his savior dissipating.

His savior turned to look at him. A white line of fur surrounding the amber eyes that scanned over Omega's body.

Omega looked down immediately. Fear still clouded his mind, and his ears. Glancing to look at the face of his savior he noticed a patient expression on their face. It was then he realized they had asked him a question.

"S-sorry.. could you repeat that..?" Omega felt embarrassed and scared of the repercussions of not hearing the question the first time.

"I said, can you walk?"

Omega looked down before nodding. "Y-yes.. umm.. who.. who are you..?"

"My name is Oriole. What's your name pup?" His savior, Oriole, stared down at Omega curiously.

"I.. I am call-... I was called Omega in my birth pack," the young drupper mumbled out, unable to look his savior in the eye.

"Omega? How old are you?" Omega could almost smell Oriole's confusion.

"I think.. I think I was.. I mean I think I am about two years old? Maybe less.." Omega could almost feel the disappointment headed his way. He's old enough to be able to fend for himself, and yet he can't. Shame prickled at his fur.

"Why are you here, pup?" Their voice was as harsh as before, yet it held a tone of worry..? Why was his savior worried? Shouldn't they be annoyed? Disappointed?

"I-I was banished... I-I'm not allowed to go back.."

"Hmm..." Oriole stares unblinking at Omega. Even without needing to look Omega could feel their piercing gaze.

"Well, welcome to the life of a rogue young pup. I guess I'll show you the ropes." Oriole tapped Omega's head lightly with their tail. "Follow me pip."

"My name.. my name is Omeg-" before Omega could finish correcting his savior, Oriole started walking away. Omega ran after them.

"As a rogue you can chose your own name. Omega isn't a name, it's a title. First we're going to find a new name for you, pip." Oriole didn't even glance at him while talking.

"But.. how will I do that..?" Omega asked his savior.

"Most Druppers are named after creatures in nature. So we're going to look for a new name for you by looking at nature." Oriole glanced around before stopping.

"W-what is it Savi-"

Oriole shushed Omega and pointed using their tail.

A small Blue Jay was in a nest on a tree branch.

Omega wasn't sure why they stopped, but looked closer at the Blue Jay. It's bright blue feathers reminding him of his eyes. He noticed it was placing sticks in the nest, which held eggs in it.

Glancing back at Oriole, Omega had noticed their gaze was distant. It was as if Oriole was not gazing at the nest but through it.

A small blue feather floated down onto Omega's nose, causing him to sneeze. Blown away it floated down in front of the tree.

"Did you know the feathers change color when crushed?" Oriole asked Omega.

"Huh? They do?" Oriole nodded before grabbing the feather and crushing it in their teeth. They held it out to Omega.

Omega looked at the now brownish feather, in awe of the new information.

"How's about Jay for a name, pip?" Oriole asked Omega.

"Jay..?" Omega now looked up at Oriole.

"Yes, your fur is brown, and your eyes are blue. In a way you're similar to this blue jay." Oriole explained, their tail tip twitching back and forth.

"Jay... Jay.. yeah I like it!" Omega yipped happily.

Oriole smiled, watching the young pup's joyful movements.

"Well from now own your name is Jay. Wear it proudly."

Omega- now Jay stared at Oriole, nodding.

"Now then pip, let's go." Oriole then began to walk away.

"Wha- pip..? But Savior-"

"Don't call me savior. I told you my name is Oriole, call me that. Now come on." Oriole flicked their tail.

"R-right O-Oriole!" Jay padded after Oriole. The joy of his new name filling his paws with a boost of energy. Despite this energy boost he could feel himself falling further and further behind Oriole.

Maybe if Jay was as big as Druppers his age should be, he would have been able to keep up. Unfortunately for him, he was barely larger than a hatchling, so it was difficult to catch up.

Oriole seemed to have noticed this, as they stopped to look at him. They sighed, turning around and walking towards Jay, who was crouching down in slight fear.

"I.. I'm sorry! I'll try to.." Jay trailed off as he felt something grab the back of his neck.

Oriole lifted their head up, silently picking up the much smaller drupper before continuing to walk the direction they originally were heading.

Jay could only wonder where this drupper would take him, and what will happen now? Wether or not these answers will be good or bad, Jay knows he'll find out soon enough.

——————————————-

Drupper fact #3

Jay/Omega is very small for his age. Roughly about 1.5ft (.45 meters) from the shoulder. On average, most yearlings are 3 ft ( .9 meters). Meanwhile, Oriole stands at 6.5ft (1.98 meters) from the shoulder. Camp is roughly 5ft (1.5 meters) from the shoulder.

#4
Oriole's initial design is based off a maned wolf, which if you don't know what that is, it's these beautiful animals.

They look like a wolf/fox/deer mix. However, despite their name and looks they are actually not technically wolves or foxes! They belong in their own genus called Chrysocyon, and live in South America.

Until the next chapter!