[Leviathan]

Alteron's weather wasn't necessarily unpredictable, but it was not dead set, and was prone to sharp turned throughout a season. It was to Leviathan's joy that one night turned into a rainy and cold one. While he could appreciate the sun, when trees did not cover his fur, his black tones quickly got hot, and his thick fur and large body felt hotter and heavier than ever. And while rain still soaked into his pelt, it felt cool on his skin, his eyes felt clearer even with drops hitting his nose rapidly.

And now, standing by the V of the river straight south from the Cathedral, Leviathan felt right at home. And with the late hour and wet weather, Leviathan assumed most of Alteron's denizens were probably probably avoiding the outside world until the sun rose. So that left him in a companionable silence with himself and the sound of rushing water bating against rocks and dirt and more water. It was nothing exciting, really, but Leviathan felt at peace, like he was alone in his own world, a transparent cube of darkness and the feeling and sound of water beating down on whatever came in its way. Water and the occasional sound of his own breathing.

Even when he heard went footsteps approaching, the bubble didn't burst. It felt like someone was coming into his world, into the domain he felt most comfortable in. Gray eyes quickly tracked the sound, the rain easily camouflaging whoever was approaching him until they moved closer to his line of sight. Whoever it was, no part of Leviathan's body would tense. Not unless they were going to mindless attack him.

"Running errands? It's late." his way of asking what someone might be doing out in this weather. Maybe they liked it as much as he did, maybe they had things to do, people to see. Maybe they actually hated the rain and took it as some sort of punishment, a person hell. Leviathan learned that while individuals are different, they still fell into categories, and he was happy to sort them until he found one that could not quite be jammed into any of them.

So curiously, Leviathan watched and listened for an answer.

"Did you need me for something?"

[Kiefer]

He liked the rain. The rain was the only sure thing in his world of uncertainty, where he didn’t know if people were real unless he touched them, and even then he wasn’t sure. Everything blurred between reality and dream, the smoke screen rarely lifting. Touch scared him, always had — he never trusted touch as much as his other senses. So, Kiefer stood under the dark sky, feeling the cold water sweep against his face and dampen his coat. He could hear the rustling of the river below, the brush too thick to see it rushing over boulders and fish alike.

A feeling of hunger rolled through his belly, a familiar feeling and yet he hated it. He hated eating, hated catching his food. He was tired, energy depleted so quickly. Although he wanted to go down into the river to catch a fish that were stuck between rocks, Kiefer knew he had to be careful because of his narcolepsy, falling asleep in water could be dangerous. Kiefer felt his paws trudge forward however, following the trail through the ferns to the water’s edge.

He had not noticed another body there.

Orange eye glinted in the low light toward the one who called, sounding close. He stopped before the edge of the river, feeling so close but reality started to bend and he wasn’t so sure about this anymore. Interactions made him dissociate at times, feeling airy and that the world under him didn’t exist. That he in some aspect, didn’t exist. “No,” he felt himself say, “I’m hungry.”

Another question was asked, this one a little too convenient. Kiefer needed food, yet he didn’t want to fall in an die, so perhaps this individual could at least be there just in case his body decided to fail. “I… might.” he said as he moved his head to look down the river. Fish wasn’t exactly his favorite, but he didn’t want to pass up the chance for a meal either. The boy then glanced back and stared quietly for a moment.

“Maybe… make sure I don’t drown.”

✦ ✦ Speech Text ✦ ✦

[Leviathan]

The wolf that approached wasn't the sharpest one Leviathan has ever met. Maybe it was his bangs covering his eyes, but the other male did not notice him until he actually spoke. His voice did not startle him, it was as monotone and even as ever, though the stranger had to take a moment to seemingly register that he was really there, and that he was really speaking. Then, kindly and gently informed him that he was just hungry. Why he was at a river instead of digging up prey in hiding he didn't know.

Leviathan was ready to dismiss him, but the sleepy ass guy seemed to actually need him for something. Leviathan hummed, indicating he's listening, curiosity peeked at what he could possibly be needed for. Did he want help getting food? A bit of a boring task and a strange one to ask for considering he was pretty sure the stranger was older than him. He was about to tease, before the actual request came out.

“Maybe… make sure I don’t drown.”

Leviathan paused, and slowly got up, not bothering t o shake off the rain from his coat, since it just kept on coming anyway. "I can do that." he concluded, "Go on then, show me how much trust you've put in me." he urged, moving to stand safely by the slightly smaller male, and proceeded to watch him. As the other caught fish, Leviathan kept his distance, just watching with his black eyes and making no comments on what was being dragged out from the rocks. Only if the current began to sway the stranger dangerously, would Leviathan bolt forward and drag him to shore by force.

Until then, the Herald simply watched and hummed.

It was only after they were both back on shore, either on their own accord or with Leviathan dragging him, would he asked "What is your name?"