Arras slowly padded after his impromptu acquaintance. He'd let his spell unravel at this point given his current inability to manage large amounts of magic, but he kept his distance all the same. Not willing to give a possible attacker the advantage.
"so... uhm... Would you mind talking?"
"Why?" He practically growled back, there was no need for them to speak.
"Well I mean... I haven't been able to speak with anyone for... I don't know how long now. It's been almost a month?"
Narrowing his eyes from a distance, Arras questioned them on the unfamiliar terminology. "...How long is a month?"
"Oh do you not know what a month is?"
Arras's eyes bore into the bird even more fiercely after they asked that question
"Why in the world would I ask if I already knew?"
"...Sorry. do you know what a day is?"
"I don't know any of what you're talking about."
"Uhm... okay... if you don't know any of this, then... you know how the sun moves in th-".
"However, I'm not an idiot."
"I-sorry! ...Okay but if you know what that is... then the sun rising and setting all the way... that would be the length of a day."
"So a moon..."
"Uhm, yeah! Whatever that is. And then it's been... I think twenty days since I've been on my own?"
"Hm."
"..."
"So uh... what's your name?"
"What?"
"..."
"Your n-"
"Arras." He interrupted before they had the chance to repeat themselves, that question was inoffensive enough. 'And you?"
"Oh well uh-Illiana, Illia, Illy for short, my parents na-"
Sensing a headache from an incoming rant, of proportions similar to his sister, Arras dismissed them immediately.
"Stop."
"Right... Sorry..."
...
Arras kept a careful eye always trained on Illia. For now he was planning on bringing them to a small backup den he'd made a few days ago to question them further. As he didn't want any unexpected visitors to smell the fresh kill that the bird was currently carrying for him and stumble upon his ACTUAL den. Usually he'd be quick about it, and it wouldn't be nearly as much of a concern, but her shambling was pitiful, taking well over three times the amount of time that Arras would take for an evening stroll.
So far they'd been trekking for about an hour. They'd soon reach the place, and then Arras would figure out... whatever he was going to do with her. He wasn't sure how he felt about actually killing her at this point, especially not if they hadn't been lying about their ability to utilize healing magic, but... his nerves were practically on fire. His senses had been on full alert ever since the day had started pretty much. And with his newfound perception of magic, it was... a little bit draining.
"So..."
"Can you get out of my head for a single moment?"
"Sorry."
Arras felt a sharp pain for a moment and stopped, he twitched in discomfort for a second. But was fine afterwards, no negative after effects to be felt. He glanced at Illia for a moment afterwards, and she tilted their head in response, giving him a "you sure?" look. Arras thought for a moment, then vehemently shook his head, indicating a clear "no".
Reluctantly Illia carried on silently. Exhausted and tired but not daring to slow down. Both to not leave good food lying around and to not upset the possibly friendly life threatening fox. Waste not after all!
...
Feeling a slight tap on her back, Illia twitched and immediately whipped around. A small tendril of dirt had risen from the ground, and just as quickly fell back into it. Her body sagged heavily, a sigh of relief palpable even at a distance.
Though, she glanced at Arras curiously. Tilting her head once again at the still limping fox. Raising a paw to the air, he gestured to a nearby tree, specifically at a rather large bush...
Illia continued to look curiously at him, but all she got in return was a dry stare and another gesture at the bush. Slowly they set down the Felqia's body, continuing to look at Arras the whole time. Once more, he rather agitatedly waved at the bush, and something seemed to click for Illia.
Waddling over to it, she poked her head inside and vanished into it a moment later, crawling her way into the entrance of Arras's second den.
"Finally..." Arras mumbled to himself as he padded towards the body, biting it by the scruff and going backwards after the fact. Crawling into the same entrance shortly after Illia.
The second he could turn around, he immediately did. If something was to go wrong it would be with his back turned. But to his relief, Illia had made herself at home. Her wings were splayed out evenly, seemingly as little pressure as she could manage put upon them.
She looked up at Arras he strolled over to stand above her. Her eyes were half closed, dead tired and exhausted from the ordeals she'd suffered in the day, but she continued to awkwardly stare at Arras. Slowly he lifted a paw and tapped his head. He felt an... Odd sensation, one he couldn't describe. And then heard a voice.
"Hello...?"
"Good, alright, I'd like to ask you some questions."
Despite her clear exhaustion, she managed to formulate a proper response moments later. "Oh, uhm... Can I ask some of my own as well then?"
"...What? Why?"
"Well... You're asking me some questions, it's... only fair if I ask you some of mine?"
"...What's fair is me not killing..." He started, before his body drooped. Intimidation simply wasn't worth the extra effort. "I'll answer your questions if I'm comfortable with them."
"Great! So uh fi-"
Though, he was still rather annoyed. "I'll. Ask. First. You said you can heal me earlier?"
"Oh right! Uhm... well... I'm not very good at it, but I can speed up natural healing by a lot... It's just my wings need to be touching whatever I'm healing."
"And that's a problem why exactly?"
"Because... well uhm... I need to... keep them there..."
"Of course there's a catch." Arras audibly huffed as he mentally grumbled. "Very well, ask your question."
"Great! So Arras, how did you get here-"
"No. Ask a different question."
"Oh... well uh, then how old are you?"
"In your terms...?" He thought it over for a moment, laying down in front of Illia. "A bit more than a month I'd say."
"Wait... wha? That... can't be right. You have two tails, don't you? I don't know too much about spirit foxes, but... just like a few other species that transform heavily, an extra tail represents a huge gap in magical power..."
"Well, I'm..." And then he realized what she was even saying. "Two-what? What are you talking about? I don't have a second tail."
"Have you... Have you not noticed? That's not the kind of thing that just flies over somebodies head..."
Arras glanced behind him and strained to push his tail to the left. Sure enough... two tails. Swaying gently now that he thought about it. He... hadn't realized. But... of course he did, it was obvious in hindsight. The world had felt... so different... was this what it was like?"
"Well... then, yes, I have two tails... at a little over a month of age..." He wasn't exactly in the mood to celebrate, but that fact did bring him some small amount of joy.
"Now I'll ask again, how long would it take to heal me?"
"Well... I think it'd take about three days of contact to fix something from the ground up...?"
...
...
...
"Are you ok...?"
"Oh I'm fine. Just regretting my decisions."
"Uhm... So how long have you been out here?
Arras paused again, staring curiously at the figure before him. Every question they asked was just... about him. Not what he could do, or what he could offer in exchange for her assistance, just...
"About... A quarter of a month... I believe?"
"Oh, so... less time than me? Alri-"
"I can already tell you're not planning on asking me anything meaningful." He mumbled and scrunched up slightly, settling into a more comfortable position.
"Is... is this not?-"
"So I'll play along, I suppose. Illia, how old are you?"
Once asked, she perked up a bit. Not by much, moving hurt more than she'd like to admit, but it was a noticeable shift in the fox's tone.
"Oh! About two months old!"
"Huh. I... didn't think you'd be older than me with how..."
"Well, spirit foxes are usually pretty... uhm, nevermind. So, got any family?"
"..."
"...Sore spot?"
"No, I'll talk."
...
It was gradual, very, very gradual... but bit by bit Arras allowed his guard to drop. The complete lack of malicious intent in Illia's posture and words were at the very least disarming. He'd ask a question, she'd ask a question.
It was... odd. This certainly hadn't been what he'd expected to do today, but... there was something relaxing about making idle conversation. He'd been so... high strung ever since careening to the bottom of a fall. Magic was nice, even clearing his head a bit he still eagerly held that point of view. But... it was true that feeling, seeing... EVERYTHING, was as exhausting as it was intriguing.
Though he hadn't quite realized it before now, Arras had been subconsciously maintaining his detection of magic at all times. Everything had been cranked up to an eleven for him for so long... It was... literally spine chilling as his mind adjusted to the lack of sensory overload. So much so that one of Illia's questions practically glazed over him when he finally made the switch from actively wary to cautiously optimistic.
"...Arras?"
"...Hm?"
"I asked what kind of things you've seen before?"
"Oh. Well, I haven't seen much of the world. I've only ever been near my own home and... here."
"...Oh. Well, uh... that's fair, I guess."
And, being Arras's turn to ask, so he did. "So, what exactly... Are you?
Illia tilted her head ever so slightly at Arras. "Didn't you already ask that? I told you, I'm an ashwing."
"Well, I get that, but what exactly is an ashwing? I've... never heard of that before."
"O-oh? I... well... I'm glad you asked! Alright, I'll tell you everything I know!"
Arras continued to stare with a blank look, unaware of the terror that he'd stewed...
...
"-On top of being the originators of one of the most influential noble houses in Arbre, ashwings in this part of the world have also contributed a lot to the advancement of alchemy as familiars and masters themselves! Our colored feathers are potent regents for experimental work and also some artifacts, but they can take a while to grow back so not many ashwings actually offer them-"
"-Ashwings can also use most kinds of magic, sort of similarly to spirit foxes actually, if that helps you draw any connections! But... just like it was... I think strengthening magic? That's right, right?"
Tentatively Arras nodded, not quite fully understanding the tangent either way.
"Right! Ashwings can't actually use wind magic, which is... kind of bad for us when compared to almost any other creature of flight? Usually that's something that they're good at, but our race just kind of... can't? So other ashwings are kind of the cooperative sort when it comes to combat since they're usually not able to outspeed would be attackers like most other birds-"
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"-And uhm... some myths... that counts as knowledge about ashwings, right?"
Arras nodded again. Managing to keep pace with Illia's rather... sudden outburst of cheer.
"Alright! I didn't really know too much about all of this, my... studies..." She paused for a moment, shifting slightly in discomfort before continuing anyways. "Were more focused on training and learning... necessary things, but I picked up on a little bit on the side! So-"
"-and basically, given the correlation in form between stronger ashwings and the Phoenix, it's actually theorized that the initial ashwings were direct descendants from the main powerhouse, despite, you know, being so small in comparison? Something, something... contracts and a lot of exchanges for it to even be able to sire children? ...I dunno, something like that."
"...I see."
About as well as a blind fox did, anyways.
"Great! Did you hear everything you wanted to, or... should I repeat myse-"
"No, that'll be fine."
"Uh... okay?"
"Anyways... are you going to eat? You carried the Felqia here, might as well let you get your share first."
"Oh, thank you! But are you gonna uh... cook that?"
"What now?"
...
Small talk and food, to Illia's dismay, uncooked food, were just about all Arras needed to unwind funnily enough. Just... simple conversation did wonders for the mind after everything that he'd gone through. He was even partially wary of Illia, that she could somehow be degrading his perception with some kind of magic, but... he really didn't want to believe that was true.
Regardless, what she had to offer him would be far more valuable if she'd been telling the truth.
"So, can you try healing me?"
"Sure! That's the entire reason I'm alive anyways!"
"No need to put it like that." Arras huffed. He probably wouldn't kill her at this point anyways. "You said your wings need to be in contact with whatever you're healing right? "
"Yeah! They do, but uhhhh... I can't lift them right now, so could you... lie down?"
"..."
"I won't do anything else, promise."
Hesitantly, Arras laid down on all fours at Illia's talons. A soft lining of feathers pressed lightly against him, not aiming for any particular point, simply being draped across his form. An unnatural warmth pressed against his body a moment later, attempting to push its way into him, which he allowed freely. He basked in it, even. More so than earlier, any discovery find or success, these few seconds had served to calm Arras more than anything else. It was a warmth that brought back memories of home, of a time so viciously ripped from him in short order.
...
"Arras... you must be more careful, young one." Nikia spoke with a calming voice, a warmth spreading through his body, before concentrating on one point, a large puncture that had punched through bone in his paw. He fought against crying out in pain the very best he could, even if his mother and siblings present would be capable of dealing with any danger.
Arras could've sworn he heard a low chuckle from his mother. "If you are ever to survive on your own you must be more wary of your surroundings, mistakes like this can be quite costly without somebody around to help."
"I know... it's just... how am I supposed to learn all of this? It's so much..."
"You'll learn in time my child, and I will be there to help when you fall."
The hole in Arras's paw had all but closed up. The warmth remaining flowing through his body, dissipating a moment later as the magic burned itself out.
"There, good as new. Now, let us continue."
...
The healing tinge that came from Illia was nigh incomparable to Nikia, but it was still there. And with it, it brought the memories of early times, the first few moons he'd spent walking outside his family's den... better times.
"...Alright." Arras came to an immediate decision, standing a moment later, slowly, so as to not displace Illia's wounded wings. "it'll be a bit of a long stretch, but follow me."
"Oh uh, okay! Where are we going?"
"This isn't my burrow, merely a backup. I wasn't sure if I wanted to show you where I you know, live."
"Yeah I can get that." Illia nodded, completely unoffended. "Well, what are we waiting for?"
Finally reaching his full height, Arras once more bit the now ruined carcass of the Felqia and dragged it outside, displacing the land with earth magic and filling the hole with the body. (Not out of respect, mind you. It just helped the trees more than leaving it out to decompose on its own. The underbrush tended to absorb quite a bit of the nutrients before a tree could collect its fill.)
In time, the land would move to swallow the body as the spell lost its magic, leaving the bones and torn flesh for the tree that Arras had built his backup den upon to claim it.
...
This walk to Arras's main den, in comparison to the previous, was much shorter. Neither Illia or Arras were weighed down by the need to drag around a dead body. And in comparison, Arras's backup burrow was closer to his actual den when compared to where he'd found Illia to begin with. It was common sense after all. If he was to be displaced, he'd want another shelter within close proximity, yet not too close.
Though the trek was a bit more... Dangerous, persay. Not for Arras, but it had gotten darker. The sun had mostly gone down, leaving even less light to pierce through the canopy. And Illia... she seemed to be... inexperienced.
Tap... Tap...
"Ack!"
Tripping over a tangled mass of roots in the ground, Illia had entirely missed out on their existence. Utterly failing to hold her weight up, she collapsed to the ground with a disgraceful thump.
"How long did you say you've been out here again?"
"About twenty days, why?"
"...How in the name of the Nine Tails are you still alive?"
"Hey! In my defense, I fly more then I walk!"
"Truly, a miracle."
...
A little while longer, plus or minus a few accidents which Illia swore Arras to silence upon, the unlikely pair finally arrived at the entrance to Arras's first and foremost den.
"You might want to figure out how to use healing magic without your wings. Something tells me you won't live long otherwise..."
All Arras heard in response was a mental groan paired with a physical noise of indignation.
"Well, we're here." He thought, coming to a stop in front of some inconspicuous foliage.
"...Really?"
Arras stepped forward and nudged some of the foliage aside. Revealing a small opening in the floor.
"Just down here."
"You're pretty good at hiding these things... huh?"
He stared blankly for a moment, because... no duh.
"It is literally a matter of life and death."
"...That's true."
The two clambered into the opening one after another, setting paw and talon respectively upon the packed dirt that made up the floor of the wider den.
"Did you dig all of this out yourself?" Illia asked, a hint of surprise creeping into her thoughts. "...Weren't you wounded?"
"Of course. Who else is here to help? And it's not like I was willing to risk searching around the forest for an abandoned one. No, it was much simpler to just make my own."
"So... What are the other rooms for?"
"Ones for sleeping, the other is for burials."
"Burials...?"
Arras thought for a moment, before giving the best answer he figured he could. "Always give back to the tree you build upon. The roots are vital to the stability of your abode, keeping the tree that you've decided to use healthy is imperative." He quoted his father 1:1.
"Oh... Uh... Okay?"
"Right, well I'll be sleeping now." Arras mumbled as he turned for the aforementioned room for sleeping. "I'll include you in my schedule tomorrow, but for now I'd like to ask you two questions."
"Yes...?"
"You won't kill me in my sleep, right?"
"Wh-Of course not! Do you take me for some kind of animal?!"
The honesty slapped him in the face, as did the aggression and it was a bit... confusing.
"Is... is that not what you are?"
"You-... Fair." Illia's beak hovered open for a moment, before slowly returning to place...
Arras tilted his head slightly, what an odd creature...
"Second, do you need to be conscious to use healing magic? I realize you're not the best at it but I've known... individuals who are capable of subconscious magic. Even if they aren't great at it. Would you by chance happen to be capable...?"
"I'm... Not quite sure actually, I don't think I've tried before." Illia pondered in thought for a bit before continuing. "I mean I'm willing to try!"
"Okay, then follow me."
Arras stepped into one of the adjacent rooms, slowly walking towards his bed of flora.
"I realize that your wings are torn, so I won't ask you to do what I initially was going to. As I know that would hurt quite a bit. Instead I'm going to ask that you sleep next to me, and drape one of your wings against me."
"You want me to... sleep with you? You sure?"
"Why? Is that... a problem?" He asked in confusion at Illia's confusion. The concept seemed... off putting to her? It wasn't like sleeping with his siblings was an issue…”
"No... It's just back where I used to live everyone but my parents had different beds! But if that's how things are out here I guess it's alright. I can bear with that for a few days, no problem at all!"
To Arras it sounded more like they were psyching themselves up, but as to why he had no idea. It was just sharing a patch of bedding. Yeesh.
Huffing gently in mild amusement, Arras padded onto the bedding, kneading around it for a moment before lying down on the side, leaving most of the space for Illia given that she was, in fact, larger than Arras.
"Well?"
Illia, a bit reluctantly, waddled over and settled down. Following Arras's prior instruction, they wearily lifted up one of their wings and settled it over his form, grimacing mid-motion.
"Now just use healing magic till you fall asleep. Whether it carries on or not afterwards will be how I can tell. And as to whether or not you're actually asleep... I think I'll be able to tell."
She was... noisy.
"If you say so..."
…
The warm pulse tingled throughout Arras's entire body. Healing magic was a rather nice sensation when at a slower pace. When done fast, the knitting of your bones and flesh and everything wasn't exactly pleasant. But with a slower rate like this it was... Pleasant.
Illia was still awake, he could tell. Her thoughts were still moving, buzzing about, dimmed by the effort and magic that her healing magic demanded, but otherwise still conscious. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be though…
It wasn't exactly hard to stay awake, but the healing magic reminded him of home. Of a warmer safer place, a stark contrast to the dire straits he'd found himself in not too long ago, and for that matter, which he still found himself in. Under that influence, that warm whisper of safety in his ear... Who could blame him? Surely he'd be fine... not like... Illia had been... lying so far...
He... hadn't expected to fall asleep first, but... it was alright, just... just this one time...
----------------------------------------
Dictionary
Achia Skewer
The aptly named Achia Skewer is a thorny plant that grows, oddly enough, in places without sunlight. It is extremely sharp, being able to puncture the flesh of most creatures with ease.
One would think that without sunlight the plant would die, but… no. The Achia Skewer is able to sustain itself entirely off of blood. Presumably being why it has grown in the way it has, in order to, you know, acquire that nutrition.
It's oftentimes merely an annoyance to grown creatures, causing a minor wound that would heal naturally over the course of a few days. but for smaller sized creatures the punctures created by an Achia Skewer could be quite threatening to their continued wellbeing.
It's fairly capable of spreading itself, seemingly implanting its seeds into whatever it punctures, allowing its prey to also be the vector for spreading itself. Being quite a hardy plant in and of itself. It's a very prosperous weed.