[C] deer hunting

"Old? How old?" It was a forward question, but dancing around it hadn't gotten him anywhere.

He waited until Fabian was a little ahead of him. Eyes on Fabian's back, he changed into into the form he had intended to take as soon as he arrived; before he had been sucked into a conversation. The change wasn't violent; it was like water rushing over his skin. He did close his eyes while it took place, because it made him dizzy to have have to adjust to the new height.

The form he took was only about two foot high at the shoulder - a roe deer. He had no antlers, but that was only because their antlers were shed in the winter. The body was a deep brown, nose black.

He skipped forward to overtake Fabian, kicking out his back legs in a happy bounce.

"A hundred and twenty three."

Old enough that a year wasn't a long time, but still fairly young compared to other Elves.

His head tilted as he gazed down at the deer that bound past him. This deer wasn't the type that frequented the forests, though it was adorable.

Fabian gathered that it was Atlas and he smiled.

The kid was adorable.

"You're going to get lost and if you wander off and a Lycan is hunting, I'm not taking the blame."

That was more than a century older than Atlas himself. That was impressive. Atlas would never think of himself as young. He was being sent out into the world because he was an adult. He thought. Actually he suspected he was being shuttled off to somewhere "safe" while adults did adult things.

Still, the thought didn't dampen his spirits as he danced around, picking his legs up to prance. His satellite-dish ears swiveled around when Fabian spoke. He knew of Lycans, but he hadn't met one before. Best not to meet one when he looked like a meal, so he joined Fabian again to allow him to lead.

The Elf couldn't help but liken the kid to a puppy.

The way he jumped around but moved back to him when he was called just struck a chord with a trained puppy.

Adorable, the Elf though, contemplating leaning down to scratch behind the little deer's ears like one would a dog. Eventually, he decided against it. He didn't want the deer getting in a huff and running off.

"Can you hear it?" Fabian asked. He could just hear the sound of rushing water in the distance. The river was getting closer.

Atlas' ears twitched and turned again when Fabian asked if he could hear the water. Now he was listening out for it, it was easy to locate. He started off toward it, tail flashing as he walked. It was so tempting to go charging off, but Fabian's reminder about Lycans was still ringing in his ears, so he resisted.

It only took a few more minutes for them to get to the river.

It was fairly small but beautiful none-the-less. The sort of picturesque river that appeared in landscape paintings that made everyone stop and stare.

The Elf grinned as he sat down on the bank of the river gracefully, dipping his feet into the water. His painted toes wiggled in the crystalline water as he leaned back a little, hands moving out to catch himself so he didn't tumble back.

"Pretty, isn't it?"

Atlas slid down the bank until his hooves were in the water, where it rushed over them. He couldn't laugh, but he did make a strange squeaking sound at the sensation.

He dropped his nose into the water and moved it back and forth, splashing water up his own face. It was freezing - it was winter, after all - but he didn't mind. It was welcome after the airport. Plus he had to agree it was pretty.

The Elf laughed, kicking his feet a little, splashing the deer.

He contemplated shifting himself. It had been a little while since he had last shifted. He'd have the advantage in the winter with his other body.

His animal was built for the cold weather.

Fabian dropped back, laying out on the ground with his arms crossed behind his head.

"Peaceful." This place was great when you wanted to just lay down and do nothing.

Atlas jumped in surprise, landing him in the water. At least his legs were long enough to keep him completely out of it. He gave an angry little snort, burying his nose into the water again to use it to flick water back at Fabian, charging him like a goat instead of a deer.

Fabian chuckled softly when the deer gave a snort.

That was absolutely adorable. It had to be a crime to be that cute when you were angry.

Fabian wanted to scoop the little deer up and cuddle him.

His chuckle graduated into a full-blown laugh when Atlas began charging at him.

His face would have reddened with embarrassment at the laughter - but did he expect? Terror? He was only a small fluffy animal that didn't even have fangs. A hamster was probably scarier.

He lowered his head and headbutted Fabian's knee. It wouldn't hurt, unfortunately.

Fabian's body shook with gentle laughter when Atlas headbutted his knee.

He lifted his hand to stroke the deer's head, scratching gently behind his ear.

He'd lost the battle to stroke the other Elf like a dog. He was just too adorable. Like a stubborn little puppy.

His small white tail wiggled at the petting as he threw his head back to look up at Fabian, which probably didn't help the comparison to a dog at all. The petting was actually quite nice.

Fabian grinned. He couldn't help it.

The little Elf just acted so much like a dog that it was almost unreal. He'd always wanted a pet so the chance to treat someone like a pet dog was impossible to pass up.

Maybe if he asked Aurick nicely, he'd get him a dog for Christmas...?

He could only wish. Aurick had never let him have a pet before.

Atlas blinked his large brown eyes in response to Fabian's smile. At least he was making him happy with his ridiculous antics. His dark nose twitched as he started to wander up the opposite bank.

He wouldn't go far and risk losing his new friend, but the did want to explore a little.

The Elf pushed himself to sit up when Atlas wandered away.

He wanted to keep an eye on the kid.

In Bian's mind, they were already friends. He didn't want his new friend to get lost or hurt.

Despite being utterly useless in any sort of physical situation, he felt protective over the kid.

Atlas had to wonder what type of animals were in the forest, and if any natural predators would try to eat him given a chance. They could try, and even though Altas wasn't really a fighter, he did at least attempt.

He tossed his head and looked down the bank to be sure Fabian hadn't moved. He hadn't.

The Elf wasn't going to move any time soon.

He was comfortable and quite content watching Atlas explore the area around the river.

Atlas reminded him of himself when he first joined Aurick. He'd been so curious about everything back then. Looked and touched everything.

There wasn't too much to do up there except nose through frozen grass, so he was quickly charging down the bank and splashing around in the water again. He danced up and down the stream, kicking his legs, hoping to catch Fabian in the water too.

Bian didnt even flinch as the water splashed against his bare body.

His lips had faded into a fond little smile.

"Enjoying yourself?"

His fingers dipped into the water, pushing forwards to splash the little deer again.

Atlas squeaked in laughter again, lowering his head against the water sent his way. It was freezing and he knew he would be regretting the games later, but for now he was more than content.

They would probably both regret the game later.

Fabian knew that he'd be curled against Aurick shivering and complaining later but for now he was having fun.

He sent another stream of water at Atlas, chucking to himself.

They could suffer later.

There was fun to be had now.

He picked up his feet and danced away, trying to keep out of Fabian's range. It proved to be impossible if he wanted to splash him back. He darted in close to him to send a small wave over him before dashing away again.

It was entirely too much fun.

Sometimes it was nice to just mess around and be childish.

Fabian didn't do this often enough. Aurick had a stick up his ass and wouldn't play his childish games with him. This was just so much fun that he couldn't help but fall into it completely.

He shielded his face against the splash of cold water and sent another stream of water at the deer.

Atlas did little more than act childish, even if he liked to be treated as an adult. Maybe if he started to act like one, he would get his wish.

After a while, he stopped and started to shake himself, taking dainty steps onto dry land to signal an end to the game. He was soaked and shivering.