He was at peace. A pile of leaves cushioned him as he lay curled upon the earth. Soft, gentle breezes teased his little crested black mane every few minutes, bringing new smells then drifting away again. He'd not wanted for anything since waking here, little creatures delivering milk before he was even aware that he was hungry, then leaving him alone again with the other part of him.
There at his side, wrapped around itself and pressed comfortably against him, was the Other. It was an extension of himself, an almost-mirror. Save for a slightly darker coloration, they were identical. Bonded and linked. When it raised its head, he found his rising with it, following the gaze to whatever had attracted its attention. When it rested its muzzle on his hip, he mimicked and did the very same. Together, he was complete. It was a part of him but not him, the bodily form of everything he was not.
She was the life and play to his quiet steadiness, the girl to his boy. She was the joy, the beauty. The quester, the adventurer. She made up for everything he lacked and never left his side for too long.
They seemed to take turns being watchful, like a silent agreement between them. One that did not require words. He woke each time she snapped her eyes to something unseen, much as she did now. He blinked the sleep from his eyes slowly, squeaking out a big yawn and smacking his chops quietly. As always, he followed her gaze, but the dull shadows of early dawn could not hold his attention for long and he turned back to her.
So serious! He shoved his nose at her, bumping her chin and knocking it to the side, trying to dislodge her stare from whatever held her attention. I'm heeerrreee. Right here!
Nudge. Bump.
@[Briske]
other orphans are soooo welcome to come play while everyone waits for homes xD puppy pen style!
any curiosity on title: its "orphanage" spelled backwards as the kids within would see the letters on the gates and read it that way. idea adapted from a book called The Lion's Paw