Disclaimer and such in Part 75
Part 88
"Talmut, why is Juno following behind? I thought I locked her in there with the others." B stops and looks behind him, tensing for a brief moment before relaxing again.
"She's getting smarter. Juno is a half-throwback. She's trainable, but she's incredibly skittish at most others. I'm surprised she's not reacted in her usual way."
L reached out his free hand slowly and the dog gave it a quick sniff, a little lick and a nudge however when he extended his reach further she jumped back slightly as though startled.
"How long will it be before she can go to a proper owner?"
"It could take a long time and the home she could go to would need to be housing only a mature couple or single with a lot of experience with skittish animals." B let the younger female sniff at him, but he made no move to interact in any way, using his knowledge of dog behavior to dictate his interactions around them.
"Talmut, I need you to take her back to the kennel. I will join you later."
Even with the elder dogs attempts to move the female she seemed to resist which was unusual for any of Watari's animals.
"How did she escape the kennels anyway?" L asked once the canine finally followed its master.
"She's been watching me and the other people here at how we open the kennels. Throwbacks are survivalists and to be one means to be highly observant sometimes. She's learned to do that well. Sadly, we can't do anything to stop her from watching and thus, she's escaped more than once."
*That sounds like Beyond...* The elder nodded and continued unpacking, now slightly more watchful for the creatures potentially running lose in the snowy yard.
B helped along, having been paying attention to everything that had been exchanged. Setting up the tent was not difficult in the least, taking no more than 10 minutes and moving the sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and overnight bags inside.
"If Juno comes to investigate, do not be afraid. She's only curious and means no harm unless you threaten her first. She may bark out of anxiety, but no more than that. I'll go to lock her up though before she gets out of hand."
"I don't mind..." L mumbled, unrolling his sleeping bag.
"Beyond is very good with dogs and I am sure he can keep things under control..."
"I know their language pretty well at least. I'm sure she'll be fine. You can let her run around. I think she'd like that actually."
"Alright, I'll trust then that she'll not be too much of a problem then."
"It should be fine." B unrolled and unzipped his sleeping bag and unfolded a blanket to cover it, putting his pillow down before looking to their father.
"Is there a way to warm the tent a little? Lawli is still a little ill."
"I do have something that I've been wanting to try out now that you mention it. I have a kind of gel encased in rubber that when activated by pressure to it, will begin to heat up. I've tested it myself and have found that it lasts for about 5-7 hours. I will fetch them for you."
This piqued L's interest and he was very curious to try his adopted father's latest trial, setting up his own sleeping bag right next to Beyond's and waiting patiently.
The younger raven wasted no time and opened his overnight bag, removing his night clothes and changing into them as quickly as the weather allowed him to. Time passed before Watari was seen again, carrying 4 medium sized rubber tubes that were dark in color. He arranged them just off to the side and pressed a palm down sharply. The reaction was almost instantaneous, heat slowly being radiated outward.
"Those are fascinating Watari..." the elder mumbled, creeping over to one and investigating it.
B tilted his head curiously and poked at one, withdrawing slightly as if he expected it to bite him back. He went back in to poke it before repeating the action of his adoptive father and jumping back again. He placed a palm to the tube and felt warmth from it.
"Curious..." he murmured.
"I'm glad that you approve. It took over 2 years to develop and another year to test and adjust. These take time. I have plenty other things, minor and major that I am working on."
L noted that they where almost soft and started stroking it as though it where some kind of cat. "It's soft..."
"Yes, it's made for heat and comfort. Honestly, I have more medical plans for them as emergency heating packs for people who are suffering hypothermia. Sadly, they were still not up to par when you had your accident."
"That's unfortunate, but Lawli is getting better. He's strong."
"These would be quite useful in a situation similar to what we were in..." the elder mumbled and looked to Beyond, "or at least from what I am told... I do not remember much more then a blur... and Rue does not like to speak on it... I would like to know however..."
"I know only what Beyond and A have shared. Like with you, he was unwilling to share the experience as it was... traumatic for him."
"It still hurts... I still feel guilty about it..." He began to make a nest for himself from the blankets and sleeping bags, earning a curious look from Watari.
"I still wish to understand..." the elder mumbled...
"A says nothing, only that she thought I was going to die when she found us..."
"You were dying Lawli... You were dying in my arms..." He sniffled lightly and continued his nest building until it was to par.
"If A didn't come around when she did... I've no doubt you would have died..."
L nodded slowly, knowing that was the only answer he would get right now even if he was thirsty for details.
B moved himself under the nest and curled into a ball. He didn't want to remember that, not out here where the settings were all too similar.
"What more do you know Watari..." the elder asked quietly before their father left.
"He didn't stop apologizing to you and seemed genuinely convinced your near death experience was his fault," was the quiet reply.
L nodded and laid down.
"Thank you Watari..." he mumbled.
"Goodnight."
"Good night. I will see you in the morning my boys." The elderly male closed the tent and took his leave, making his way back to the estate.
B curled tighter into his ball and held the blankets around himself.
L unzipped his sleeping bag, then without asking opened his friends as well, zipping them both up together with himself and Beyond inside the now large bag. He cured up against his friend and kissed his neck.
"Thank you... for saving my life..."
"I'm sorry for making you sick Lawli... I should have stayed home..." He had closed his eyes and edged back slightly.
"I should have gone with you to begin with..." he whispered.
"I waited until it stormed... I should have been there for you..."
"I was having a bad day... I took it out on you and you became hurt because of me..." He wanted to nuzzle the older, but the guilt was there now and it stopped him.
"But you saved me... I may not know how and though I want to know specifics I do know that I'm only breathing now because you and A didn't give up on me..."
"We were lucky that A came when she did... I had to use only the basic knowledge of what do to and you were barely hanging on..."
"Will you tell me?" the elder asked and pulled his friend even closer.
"I know you still feel bad and maybe it will help you to talk about it?"
