Series Placement: The following Shard takes place between Fragments 111 and 112.
As cozy as his little cave was, a wolf gets restless easy. Even a noble king such as himself needed a good stroll, or a change of scenery. A quaint walk within the tropical forest would have sufficed, but with the constant train of activity from humans preparing a peacock-tier courting ceremony, the avenger decided otherwise.
Besides, if there was a beach right here, Lobo should experience it at least once.
Already he was regretting it. Not so much from the many Chaldeans, who irritated him with wary stares but did not approach. For once, it was Gaia's beautiful designs that reminded the king why he loved the forests. This… sand was worse than the thickest mud. And it was dry. The hot sun wasn't helping the prickles racing across its fur.
In a spur of the moment decision, all Lobo wanted was a quick snooze before continuing his stroll…
But since when did anything go according to plan in Chaldea?
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Shard 48: It's Only Natural
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It was only late morning and the activity grew rampant. After finding shade beneath a palm tree, where a cool patch of sand provided a bit more comfort, he attempted to sleep. Attempted. While in clear view of the public, it was only a matter of time before he drew attention. Despite what they were, Lobo wasn't too sure it was a better outcome than having to deal with a human…
"(But you're here! You really, really don't like the beach?)" The callout was accompanied by some animal chatter and loud crunching.
Doing his best to stay patient with the fluffy dog and his friends, Lobo controlled his breathing. "(No.)"
"(Why?)"
"(Because I don't like this sand.)"
"(Why?)"
His eyebrow twitched as some Sphinx kittens giggled. "(It gets everywhere. It'll take ages to get out of my fur.)"
"(Why?)"
"(Because I'll need a bath after or I'll…)" Lobo's eyes shot open to stare tiredly at the fluffy white dog standing barely a foot away. Happy as can be with tongue stuck out and tail waving like a flag, Cavall's response flew clear in his eager eyes. "(Do not ask me why, kid. Just know I dislike the beach.)"
"(But you're here, Mister Loby!)" the little dog barked again. Lobo groaned, then groaned again as Cavall happily pranced around Logo, kicking up more sand. It grew worse when Gugalanna and Babe hardly helped. Thankfully the Sphinx kittens were more regal than to follow the lead of these three…
"(Of course a mongrel of the woodland would not be able to appreciate the pure majesty of glistening sands!)"
Unfortunately, they tended to be more prideful. Especially that one called Mister Sprinkles. Lobo shifted his head on the sand to stare tiredly at the tiny kitten standing as tall and proud as it could. It was hard to take it seriously with that little pink ribbon, plus its small stature. Then again, it was still a Sphinx, one of the divines… even if it was still a fledgling. One day it'd grow far more powerful than he, but that day wasn't today.
To ease the tiny wound on his pride, Lobo bared a fang and growled instinctively. As dictated by the ages, Mister Sprinkles acted just as instinctively. The tiny kitten squeaked in terror, and quickly dove behind the nearby palm tree providing shade. The leader was joined swiftly by his troop of Egyptian companions, though with far less fear and more concern for their friend. Mister Sprinkles' shaking head peered around the tree as he mustered as much courage as he could. "(I-I will remember that, King of Currumpaw!)"
"(Good. Now let me nap,)" Lobo finished, glanced around at his current company, then plopped his head back onto his paws.
Lobo barely put his head down before Cavall, Gugalanna, and Babe came barreling towards him. Then onto him. Without a single care, the happily laughing trio continued their game of tag on and around Lobo. Incredulous and in pure disbelief at the outright show of presumed safety and disrespect, Lobo would only stare forward and gawk. His eyebrow and ear twitched when Babe accidentally slipped, plopped onto his head, rolled off, then resumed his flight from Gugalanna.
Still, Lobo's dumbfounded gaze remained forward. '(…Blanca. Lend me strength to deal with this madness.)'
"(I see you're babysitting today.)"
Lobo sent a respectful but dry look towards the approaching beast. Fou's pristine white fur glistened, seemingly untouched by the sand the mighty numbered walked over. Maybe it was experience, or simply untouchable grace, but Lobo made a mental note to inquire about the unseen shield. By Gaia, the wolf could already feel sand in the worst of places.
Gugalanna raced past Lobo's head in hot pursuit of Cavall, but accidentally kicked a bit of sand onto Lobo's face. The wolf flinched, sneezed, and growled in annoyance. That may have been a mistake, because Lobo instantly found the panicked divine had shot back over to rub his head against his. "(Oh no! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Imsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry-!"
"(I believe he knows you're sorry, Goolygoo)," Fou reassured as he plopped down in the shaded sand nearby. Stifling his noble chuckles, the numbered beast watched as Gugalanna sniffed apologetically by Lobo's head, then scampered off to rejoin the growing game of tag among the little animals. Even some Sphinx kittens had joined in as some Chaldeans watched from the nearby railings. As close as they wanted to get out of concern for what the wolf may do.
Honestly, Lobo just wanted a damn nap, but that hunt ended abruptly.
"(It's good to see you're becoming more open)," Fou commented, but Lobo dismissed it with a click of his tongue.
"(I don't have a choice with these kids. Nor these mimicries that flutter about that now see fit to tread closer...)"
"(But you're not roaring them away. You've accepted them like they've accepted you. These little ones more so,)" Fou pointed out as his tail flicked gently. "(They're not a true pack, but wolves shouldn't be lonely. It's not in your nature.)"
"(With all due respect, Lord Four, that need not be explained to me,)" Lobo sighed tiredly. Fou only glanced back with a tiny little smile as the pause grew. The wolf readjusted his head to stare at the playing animal kids. Cavall's fur stood out most, and the king couldn't help but feel his eyes rocket to him should the little runt ever trip, squeak in surprise, or wince.
Fou definitely noticed, but thankfully said nothing. Only the sound of loud crunching filled the gap before the beast spoke again. "(It's a start. More will surely come.)"
"(I've yet to meet some of the others.)"
"(But you wish to. I'm happy to see that,)" Fou smiled again. "(I think you'll get along with the Hippogriff. You both have that exhausted look by the end of the day. The one that some humans have when the coffee runs dry.)"
"(Very funny, Lord Four,)" Lobo commented as a laughing Princess shot past with Cavall close on her tail.
It was only then that Fou finally turned to address the latest member of their group. "(And how are you and Red getting along?)"
"(Well, I'd say.)" His lingering identity concerns aside, he was very easy to talk to. A noble warrior, proud and mighty with a storied history of war. They'd already shared a few stories and agreed to take a walk in a supply sortie some time to see what they were both capable of. Great animal company, for certain, even with his little quirks. "(You could ask him yourself if he wasn't so... mesmerized…)"
Lobo looked back towards the shade, to the silent but proud warrior horse that sat by the tree. Only since he walked over with the younger animals had he said anything… but Lobo quickly learned that was to be expected when… well…
Red Hare's happy crunching continued. Again, he only offered a nod of greeting and appreciation to Fou before turning back to his daily gifts. Of all the food options offered by the culinary teams, Red Hare was but a simple hero. A strong stallion who proudly proclaimed he wouldn't yield to any distract in battle, but Lobo had to question it with how hypnotized these raw delights made him.
"(Don't wish to talk with your mouth full?)" Lobo asked quietly, and Red Hard quickly nodded with a shine in his eyes. Barely a second later, the special horse reached into his giant canvas sack, fished out another massive carrot, and began eating it like he'd never seen food in all his life.
Fou chuckled as Lobo readjusted his sitting position to observe. It was rude to watch another eat… but Red Hare had made eating a sort of hobby at this point. Still, after devouring his carrot, the proud warrior smiled. "(Chaldean carrots are exquisite! None in China could have matched these!)"
"(I'd be worried if they did. These are magically grown on Mount Meru,)" Fou commented, stretched happily, then looked to Lobo. "(You find one for yourself yet? We've all got a vice.)"
"(I'm no glutton. I eat as a prize for a good hunt,)" Lobo reminded, and nearly sighed as he felt Fou was already dreaming of delicious shaved ice by the shimmering eyes. Red Hare was already happily annihilating another carrot. A second later, Cavall and Babe rushed onto Lobo's back, then over. A train of animal friends followed, and Lobo could only stare again in disbelief.
With a sigh, Lobo plopped his head back down. This was a curious arrangement of animals they brought together. If Blanca could see him now, he wasn't sure if she'd be lovingly proud or dying of laughter that he had such prestigious yet eccentric company. A few Sphinx kittens was privileged company enough, without even counting Beast Four and the Bull of Heaven. As Fou said, this wasn't a pack, but it sure was something.
And Lobo wasn't about to say no to strange but acceptable company.