The boy is lonely. He's not quite sure what the feeling means, but he knows he hasn't always felt this way, and it gnaws at him like a maggot in his chest. He has friends, yes, but they're not like him. Nothing in this forest is like him. Not even his Mother.

He sighs, staring up at the sky through golden-dappled branches. A pair of badger pups tussle at his feet, but he ignores them. They will grow up soon, and move on. The boy will not. Sighing again, he rolls onto his side, watching an ant climb its way up a dandilion stem. The ant is not lonely. The ant is never alone. He wishes he were an ant, if only so that he has a family, a purpose, something to live for.

His ears twitch, an unfamiliar noise pulling him out of his melancholy thoughts. He sits up, chirping at the badger pups to go back to their mother. He doesn't know what this new sound- footsteps, but in a set of two instead of the normal four, and the beating of a heart- belongs to. Getting up, ears pricked and alert, he slinks closer to the source of the noise on all fours, sniffing at the air. The scent is strange. Off-putting, and yet... familiar. Why?

Bear makes his way ahead of Wren, who hums softly to himself as he checks the rest of his snares and nets. Still nothing. These creatures are a lot more bright than I expected, he thinks to himself with a heavy sigh. Instead, he lurks over to the creek nearby and rolls up his pant cuffs before trudging through the cool water, settling himself between a few rocks where he has a small woven trap set.

"Ah," he nods, impressed with himself as he picks it up and removes a trout from it, holding it by the tail as it wriggles around. Bear spins around, rearing up to his back paws in excitement as he scratches needily at Wren's leg. "Hey! Relax, wouldya? Give me a second," Wren puts the fish back in the trap for a moment before retrieving a bucket he'd left by a nearby tree while Bear's ears prick up at a sound somewhere. Wren takes no notice, continuing on to put the fish in the bucket as his furry companion curiously makes his way into the brush.

He snuffles around, his long nose pressed aggressively to the ground as though trying to soak worms up from the soil itself as he follows the peculiar smell. He pauses, hearing Wren call for him, but looks back towards the trail, debating on pursuing his curious nature. He whines a bit, hesitating before disobeying and making his way further into the forest.

"That darn coatimundi," Wren huffs shaking his head as he starts towards camp. It wouldn't be the first time he'd wandered off. He just feared his friend getting snatched up or something without him being nearby. Some parent I am.

As Bear remains determined to hunt down the smell, he hears an odd purring and turns his head abruptly, eyes peeing through the creeping dawn lighting. His eyes meet what looks somewhat like his owner and something that he's seen sneaking about in the woods. He remains cautious while lowering his body to the ground and making his way over, keeping a short distance while lifting his nose towards the being.

The boy had watched hungrily as Wren picked up the trout, pricking his ears up. He's bad at catching fish, but they're tasty, and he's jealous of the creature's ability. Even if it seems like it did... something to the water first. He's not sure about what that could've been.

He startles a little as Wren speaks, flicking back his ears and retreating a bit. The noises are harsh and scary. He's never heard anything like it before, and he knows the languages of all the animals in the forest. Maybe... maybe this creature isn't from the forest? The boy can barely fathom that- how can there be anything but forest? There simply can't be anything beyond it, if it even has an end. Maybe it's just from very far away. Somewhere he's never been before. That, the boy can understand, so he settles for that answer, only somewhat realizing that it means the same thing.

A soft noise jerks him back into reality, and he takes a quick breath, realizing that Bear is approaching him. Blinking slowly, he purrs again, his ears relaxed and tail wagging slowly. Most of his body language says I will not harm you, but he doesn't lower himself like Bear had. What are you doing here? Despite that, he leans down a little to sniff at the coatimundi and let Bear sniff him, tilting his head to the side as he tries to place the scent. He comes up with nothing. Who are you?

Bear chittered and bent himself back to rest on his haunches, tilting his head at the creature before him. He hardly ever had any interactions with other animals, seeing as he had a strict guidline to keep close to Wren, but the familiarity in this human-like figure was enough to have Bear skip out on his clear instructions to return to his owner. When it spoke to him, his ears perked, finding it rather interesting to see that someone that could look so much like the two-legged actually knew his language.

I'm Bear...the animal replied, leaning forward to get a better look of the creature. What are you? He rested his paws on he creature's forehead, his nose nuzzling into the hair as he tried to get a better sense of what he was dealing with. I'm afraid I can never be certain what we're doing here. My companion and I, I mean. I can hardly ever make sense of what he's going on about. He replies, padding back and looking off towards the hut him and Wren had been residing in. I can take you there if you like, Bear suggested, turning his attention back to the creature, What's your name anyhow?

You are not a bear, the boy replies, confused. You are like... a big squirrel. He leans forward, too, ears pricked. This creature is definitely not a bear, so why had it said that? Though... he has met a fox that seemed to think it was a wolf, so maybe it's not that unusual. As for what he is... I don't know, he answers truthfully. Mother called me Child. Maybe I am that.

He flinches at first as Bear rests his paws on his forehead, then calms as he remembers that he could easily snap the coatimundi's neck between his teeth if he so wished. Which he doesn't. He finds himself liking Bear, despite all the unknowns- or perhaps because of them. Oh, he says, and leaves it. So the strange thing is a he, and he's pretty sure Bear's a he too.

The boy takes a step forward to follow Bear, pausing as the coatimundi turns back to him. Okay, he agrees, not sure what he's getting himself into but fairly certain he could flee if need be. The last question throws him for a loop, though, and he takes a moment to consider it. After a little bit of walking behind Bear in silence, he looks up. What is a name? He's never encountered that word before, and isn't sure if he's saying it right. Should I have one?

Wren wiped the sweat that beaded at his forehead as he collapsed on his bed, glancing towards the door and pondering where his friend was. Telling himself that Bear would be back soon, he closed his eyes and thought back to the promise he had made his family. To find the enchantment of the forest. He ran his hands over his face, groaning in annoyance as he shifted to lay on his belly, coming face-to-face with Bear.

"Was wondering where you went off to," Wren huffed, rolling his eyes, "was beginning to think you wouldn't come back."

Bear spun about, chittering, before bounding out of the hut again. At least he's back. Wren yawned and closed his eyes again, glad to not have anything else to worry about.

I don't know how to properly explain it, Bear had started as the made their way back to camp, I guess it's just how I know my friend is calling me. Picking at a few berry bushes as they passed them, Bear guided the Child along the invisible trail. Perhaps Child is your name? Wren might have a better explanation...oh...he paused in his tracks and looked back to the Child, frowning, it's hard to say how he'll take to you...so maybe just hang low for now? Make yourself known when you feel like it. As they came to the clearing and hut, Bear sprinted inside, leaving only momentarily before chittering and coming back out, he's going to be going to bed now. But first thing in the morning we'll see how it goes?

Maybe... but Wren? The Child shakes his head, sighing. That is not a wren. Why do these creatures insist on calling themselves things that they are not? Though... he could be doing the same thing without realising it. He doesn't know what a 'Child' is, but apparently that's his name now.

Hang low, he repeats, mostly to himself. What odd phrasing. He doesn't want to hang anywhere, but he chooses to assume that Bear just means to stay out of sight. I will do so, he says, still somewhat unwilling to get too close. He stops on the edge of the clearing, staying behind some brush as he sits and watches Bear bound off into the hut. He pricks his ears as he hears the coati chitter from inside, tilting his head as Bear gives his report.

The morning? Is he not awake at night? These creatures... where are they from, to act so strangely? He brushes his hair out of his face, considering it. I have to hunt tonight, but I'll be here in the morning. Maybe. If he doesn't lose his nerve.