"Mmm, below the radar barely covers it," Art grunted
Chris tilted his head in question.
'Took a lot of concentration to find you'
'Find me? Find me when?'
'About four months back' Art muttered
'I... wh-why?'
'Because it's my job to do that,' Art replied.
Oi, Lord Protector, you need to be somewhere', Ellie called
Chris sat down, even more confused than before.
'Come with us, please?' Art asked
Chris wanted to say no and just go home but something stopped him. 'Where?'
'The park, no threats, I promise' Art rumbled.
Chris glanced at Ellie before his head bobbed. 'Alright.'
'You really can just think things,' Art replied
'What?'
'You're still nodding and shrugging, like a human.'
'Oh. Right. I didn't realise...'
'You're just young' Art muttered
Chris snorted unconsciously. 'You said we were going to the park?'
'I think El might be ahead of us,'
Chris glanced past him to look for her white fur in the dark. 'Why do you want me to come with you anyway?'
'Because it's where we all should be,' Art replied.
'But why?' Chris asked, dropping into a light trot to keep up with the larger animal.
'You don't really know who you are, it's time to learn,' Art replied
'I know who I am.'
'You don't even know what a Therian is' Art replied
Chris felt the fur on the back of his neck bristle, it was still a strange sensation. 'Why the bloody hell would I have? Still a what, not who.' He gave a quick shake of his head at the buzzing sensation that filled his head as they neared the park. It was so loud. Too loud.
'We are a definite who!' Art raised his head to roar. 'My community'
Chris wasn't aware he'd made a noise as he winced and hunkered down.
'Our community'
'It's... too... loud...'
'Find the person you actually want to concentrate on, then do it, you'll feel better,'
'H-how? I... I don't know how to do that?' Chris wasn't even sure where Ellie had gone.
'Just really concentrate on that being, you know who it is,' Art replied
'Right. Concentrate on... right. ..Ellie...' He had no idea what he was doing.
'Just think hard of her and of why you want her'
Chris was still unsure and confused but he tried to do what Art said.
'What?' Ellie's accent seemed broader in her thoughts
'I... Where are you? God, this was so bloody weird.
'Under the fir trees,'
'Right.' Chris unconsciously started to move off in the direction he hoped was right.
'I'm here' Ellie stepped out, almost glowing in the moonlight
'Hi', Chris stepped towards her. 'I wasn't sure that would work.'
'Always does, heard tell really bonded pairs can even do it when they're human,' Ellie replied
'Oh. Bonded pairs?' He shook his head. 'Actually never mind.' He sighed. 'I'm sorry.'
'Or family groups. What are you sorry for?' Ellie asked
'Because I didn't believe you. What you were talking about, it freaked me out.'
'Was hardly the most normal thing to talk about, I thought you knew, that's all.'
'I really didn't.' He sighed and sat down heavily. 'This is so confusing... and tiring.'
'Promise it gets easier, I promise. I love this, embracing this part of who I am. The shape, the way things sound, smell, taste.' Ellie stretched.
'I've never really liked it. I wouldn't normally even be out right now... something just felt different.'
'It's joy you feel Chris'
'Joy?'
'This place shines with it'
'Maybe it is that. I don't know. I kind of just want to go home right now.' He wondered if he sounded, or thought, as tiredly as he felt.
'If you didn't lock up you're golden'
'I can't even remember... I'm sure I... changed, at home so, I don't think I did.'