[Maelstrom]

The Aries rolled over to look at Pilgrim. The other was looking back at him with barely disguised affront. Fornax immediately felt guilty for seemingly mocking the other.

[Maelstrom]

Giving Pilgrim an apologetic glance, he opened his mouth intending to repair the damage. "Forgive me, friend. I did not mean to insult you, far from it. It was just..."

[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim cut him off with a weak shake of his head. His eyes held no anger, only mingled apology for his behavior and forgiveness for his friend's insensitivity. A small smile between the two of them and the whole matter was smoothed over in a glance.

[Maelstrom]

"Shall we see about some food then?" said Fornax.
Pilgrim nodded eagerly, but with care not to upset his fragile sense of balance.
Fornax bustled away to their stores to see what he could scrounge up.

[Maelstrom]

While the aries heaped the gooseberries he had gathered into a bowl, Pilgrim searched for his precious pouch. He suffered a moment of anxiety before he found the battered item safely stored among their baggage. He looped the string of the pouch over his head, careful not to entangle the item in his antlers.

[Maelstrom]

The slight weight was reassuring to the kasuga. The pouch was more than just an object; it was more than just an old battered object that had done faithful service to him over many years. If he were to loose it...he preferred not to think of it.

[Maelstrom]

More than any other thing, to loose the pouch would be to give up his reason for being here. It would cause them to turn back when even the chimerantala's injury had not stopped them. He found that he didn't want to do that.

[Maelstrom]

He had come to enjoy this half and half place he was at, in limbo between his old life and new. Behind him was nothing he cared to ressurect, before him was a vast question mark. But for now he had a goal and a good companion and friend to work towards it with.

[Maelstrom]

But this desire for stasis was dangerous, he reflected. If he stayed here, he would be trapping Fornax with him as well. The Aries did not need to spend the rest of his life babysitting him.

[Maelstrom]

And what would it mean for him? If he chose to stay as he was now, was he not limiting himself as he had promised he would never allow again? No, no matter how comfortable it felt, it was not an option to remain.

[Maelstrom]

His resolve hardened as Fornax approached with his meal. He gave his friend a nod of thanks and tucked into his meal absently. Yes, he would go on, but first he had to heal.

[Maelstrom]

The gooseberries' tartness overloaded his taste buds, and Pilgrim savored every one. Fornax stood nearby looking on, and the kasuga invited his friend to partake of the delicacy as well. The Aries looked reluctant and declined.

[Maelstrom]

It seemed that his friend was being stubborn. Luckily Pilgrim was equally stubborn. The two carried on their silent arguement until Fornax gave in for politeness' sake.

[Maelstrom]

The two shared the rest of the berries in contented silence. Pilgrim was careful to make sure that Fornax ate just as many berries as he did. Still unsatisfied, the two finished off the tubers and roots that Fornax had found.

[Maelstrom]

Now that Pilgrim was awake and able to get better, the Aries knew they would have to move soon. The food supply in the area was getting thin, and soon it would be uneconomical to go out foraging because of the distance. Predators would also be a problem when they figured out that vulnerable prey lived here.