Tipu

A mule deer fawn stumbled clumsily through the alleyways, breathing heavily. "Hello?" He called. "Is anyone here?" It was obvious that he was afraid - his mother had recently been hit by a car.

Equiss

The adolescent hybrid had been informed of her aunt's new litter, and was now on her way back to celebrate. Padding along at a dainty pace, she lingered on the familiar scents of the Alley, which had been her home only months ago. Despite her loyalty and connection to her family, Equiss couldn't handle the turmoil. The loss of two sister had impacted her quite hard.

As she turned out from an alley and began to saunter down a pot-hole filled road, the doberman mix spotted Tipu. Rather than looking like a predator about to attack, Equiss froze and adopted a look of apprehension. Since living in the Bog, she had learned to fear Avalanche and the other deer that lived there. Even though Tipu was small, Equiss was wary.

Ears back and tail cricked, the young hybrid slowly approached the mule deer, "Who are you? And what are you doing here...?"

Tipu

Tipu stepped back, nearly stumbling over a trash bag. He was usually afraid of dogs. This one seemed different, though, so he piped up. "M-My name is Tipu and I think I'm lost." He replied nervously.

Equiss

Deep-seeded instinct told her to attack and kill this creature, but all her time spent at the Bog went against that, and she resisted her primal desires. "I can help you get back home." She stated after a thoughtful moment, taking a quick look around to see if there were any humans or canines about. In the distance, she could hear the howl of her aunt Hydras, and knew she had to hurry. "Where are your parents?" The wrong question to ask, though she didn't know Tipu's mother had gotten killed.

Tipu

A tear ran down the fawn's face. "Dead. They're dead." He said. His father was killed by hunters before he was born. He had nothing to go back to but an empty clearing and a few hungry wolves. "Where do all the other deer live?" He didn't know if Equiss would know the answer to this question or not, but it was worth a try.

Equiss

Dead. They're dead. Equiss mentally shook the words from her head as Panic and Lasher flashed before her eyes. She struggled with the growing desire to hunt this creature, but pity had grabbed her now. If she had stayed with the Lurkers, she wouldn't be having this dilemna; in fact, she might have had a little feast to bring back to them. But as it was, she now felt sorry for the little fawn.

"There is the great white moose in the Bog. I can take you to him, if you want." Equiss said at length, before offering a faint smile.

Tipu

Tipu tried to stay strong, but it was hard when he had no mother by his side. He nodded to Equiss as she made the offer. "I-I think I would like to see the moose." He said faintly.

Equiss

The doberman hybrid looked uncertainly in the direction of the Aegis Den, knowing she was going to catch a world of punishment for being late to what sounded like an important meeting. Reluctantly putting that aside, she turned back to Tipu, "Follow me. Stay close." Equiss informed, again fostering a slight smile to assure the deer. Moving as quick as she dare while allowing Tipu to keep up, the hybrid headed for the Bog.