The first steps, reborn, are heavy and stumbling. Water... it scares him. There is a memory he tries to pull away from. The salt water filling his throat and lungs — it burns. Fire is hot. Don't touch. It is no wonder that he leaves the beach behind, despite the many wonders, fear of deep dark water laps at his back.
This forest is calmer. He finds warmth. Wraps his body in a discarded skin — clothes are a concept he observed, and he is excited if a little hesitant. Is he allowed..? There are no screams, no cruel hands. He pulls the old coat a little tighter.
A gentle being teaches him to graze. He learns the green leaves are bitter, but the berries... he tries those again, and offers more to his new friend...
Snap.
The sound of wood cracking startles his friend. He scrambles, wanting to follow, though his eyes fall on another being. They are staring at him too. He gasps and huddles himself even smaller, hiding against a tree like a scared child. What he remembers about man... they hurt. He understands why his new friend ran.
— The son Viktor didn't ask for, but the Viktor the creation deserved :>
Viktor freezes in his movements. But… he isn’t the one who is startled. Not at all. His heart is beating wild – but his eyes soften only a moment later.
There is a man. At first glance Viktor had assumed it was a beast. Large and with dark thick fur. But no… just a very big man in torn clothes. Though he tried anything to appear small. Hidden.
Viktor can see those eyes though. Full of fear… and pain. So unsuiting to a man of his size and strength.
But wasn’t Jayce the same?
Though his partner had never been in such a sorry state, the contrasts mixed here remind him of Jayce.
“Oh…”, it was only a soft breath. Hanging in the air as hazy faint clouds. His golden eyes muster the other. There is more than just pain and fear… there is… something that does not fit into this cruel world. These eyes are like that of a child. Innocent. Not understanding…
A myriad of explanations offered themselves to Viktor. Was this man hurt? Had he lived through trauma? Had he been caught in a community that avoided the outside? Had he been part of a cult? Or was his mind just grown like this?
“Don’t be afraid… I am quite harmless.”, he offered, and set down the basket of berries he had been picking. It was half full. He could see a flash of recognition there. Oh, his face was scarred…
Viktor smiled. Slowly, even though it hurt him, he knelt down, sitting on the damp forest moss. To make himself smaller, too. Maybe others would have called if foolish. To take this risk with his bad leg and a stranger, who could also just be insane. But somehow... that did not feel right. And Viktor's senses towards those in need had been sharpened since he had barely been able to crawl at all.
“Are you alright?”, he asked carefully, before reaching for the basket and picking out some berries. Even if this man did not understand him… food was an universal language. And so Viktor offered the half dozen berries on his outstretched hand.
“Here. You look hungry.”
@madeofthreads