Chapter 43: Ticks All My Boxes
Quite some time later, as the sun was bearing down in full force, Aster was getting a bit overheated. Mollis approached the human and the she-wolf from a ways away, coming to walk beside them for a bit while she gave them both some water. Rust was currently walking a bit behind, lost in his thoughts, but caught back up to Aster as the rabbit began to speak to the human.
"I was just about to call another cloud for a while, you need to make sure you stay in the shade of it this time, overheated soldiers only makes for more burdens, and I think we all pretty well know how adamantly against that you are, Aster."
The humanoid rabbit gave him a soft smile. Aster really liked this rabbit. There were quickly becoming two distinct types of beasts in the human’s eyes. Ones that used his name, and ones that didn’t.
The ones that did were usually among his favorites and treated him with respect. As such, he didn’t fight the cute rabbit too often on things and accepted the offer without debate. As the rabbit called forth a heavy cloud of shade near the center of the formation, Aster and Rust made their way to its relieving cover from the harsh sunlight above.
There were a few other beasts that needed a turn, and by rotating like that, the larger group was able to progress mostly through the harsh environment without too much trouble. The rabbit was now alone with the she-wolf and shot her a sly, knowing smirk.
"That was quite the confession last night. I didn’t know if you could feel emotions anymore. Glad to see it, though."
Stahl grumbled. She knew the rabbit’s hearing was ridiculously sharp, but the teasing tone was annoying regardless of how prepared for it she had been.
"Yeah, well... What can I do? I’ve been struck. Badly... I don’t know why even..."
The rabbit let out a joyful, honest laugh before she answered the rhetorical question anyway.