26 - Forest Foundling

Naenaeon strode up to Earcellwen, standing before her in silent communication. She reached up and ran a hand down the pale coat of his neck.

"Thank you," the ranger breathed in a quiet voice. "Until we walk the woods again, my friend."

The great beast lowered his brow and touched it to hers. Joe watched as they stood this way for almost a full minute. He couldn't tell if they were communicating or expressing fondness for each other, but it didn't matter. It was a beautiful sight to behold; the silver-haired elven archer brow to brow with the antler-crowned forest lord.

When they broke apart, Naenaeon's large black eyes turned to Joe. The noble creature stepped up to him and turned to present the strange creature on its back. Close up, Joe noted that the foot-tall ape had an almost beak-like nose and mouth. Its front legs also didn't match its back ones; the former had monkey-like fingers and thumbs, but the rear ones, from the knees down, resembled the legs of a bird. The tail was tipped in a small cluster of colorful feathers.

"Uh. It's very nice, Naenaeon. I don't see any wounds or afflictions on it. It doesn't need my healing," he explained.

The great stag's replying snort was thoroughly steeped in exasperation. Joe had never been so clearly told to stop being a dumbass with just a look and a breath before.

"What do you want me to do with a … "

Timberline Tengu: Level 2: Fey (Changeling), Lurker, Perception

"... Timberline Tengu, Naenaeon?"

"He says he cannot take it back to the Feylands," Earcellwen translated. "At its level, it would not survive."

"Are you saying you want me to adopt it?" Joe asked the pale stag. "I don't know anything about bird behavior … or monkeys, for that matter. I mean, yes, it's a changeling, but … that doesn't make us the same thing. Does it?" Joe was pretty sure they were very different, but at this point, his changeling knowledge was still spotty at best. He knew he'd have an animal companion someday soon, but he really didn't feel quite ready for one yet.

"You are not, but my father always says, 'The kin who chose you are more vital than those who share your name."

"Fair enough," Joe conceded. He knew he would never just leave the little guy to die. At the same time, he didn't know what his life ahead was going to be like. He was not going to be the one to endanger the small broodling either. Giving it a second of thought, he saw a compromise.

"How about this, I can foster him until we find him a forever home. That I know how to do. I've fostered dogs before. Hopefully, this oddball won't be much different. It's clearly not hostile, like the badboons. What ya think, little one? Wanna give that a try?"

Joe held out his arms to see if the creature would allow him to pick it up. The answer was a resounding yes. The tengu launched itself off the stag's back and onto Joe's chest. [Steadfast] activated, keeping him from pitching over backwards as the surprisingly muscular hairball dove into him.

As the little one curled into his arms, the wildness whirled and rumbled. Joe felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness from his wild id. Until now, his feral side had shown far more ferocity than affection, but that was completely not true at the moment. Joe likely would have cuddled the furry feathered oddity anyway since it was kind of cute, but he could feel the beast spirit inside him pushing him to bond with the small bird-simian.

As it wriggled and snuggled in his grasp, Joe felt the small body change. The first thing to disappear were its feathers. Next, its hind legs no longer resembled those of an avian creature. They suddenly looked decidedly canine instead. It seemed to grow a few inches in size and packed on more muscle. When the changeling turned to look up at Joe, the beak had widened into a muzzle, combining the shape of a badboon's mouth with that of a hunting dog. The beastie now had two sets of wicked canines, which it was using to smile up at Joe. The overall result formed into something like a shaggy, black-haired border terrier with distinctly non-canine arms and shoulders, ending in a long, prehensile tail.

Shug Monkey: Level 2: Fey (Changeling), Artillery, Dexterity

Joe looked questioningly at the archer. "It just changed its identity."

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"Oh, then it's a broodling," the wildbow stated. "They are a type of changelings that integrate themselves into litters and nests. They adopt the traits of their new brood, while often retaining some traits of the last clutch they were part of. Even though most beasts can't identify, they can sense like creatures. The identity change helps the broodling blend in. This little guy must have started with birds before finding its way to the badboons."

"But I'm not a dog. Why would it become canine instead of more humanish …," His voice trailed off as he felt the wildness warm within him. There was also a notification from Hawking.

Your skill [Pack Master] has increased to rank 4.

"Never mind. I know why now," he remarked. "Ok, little man, I guess you're with me for the time being."

The shug monkey settled into Joe's arms, seemingly quite content to be held. When he looked away from the fanged critter, his eyes met Naenaeon's. There was a deep regard in that look. With a stately gesture, the noble creature dipped his head to him before turning and striding back to the woods. The crowned beast didn't so much part the foliage as he seemed to fade into the greenery surrounding the ravine.

"Wow," Joe sighed. "He is amazing."

"He really is," Earcellwen agreed. "He likes you. He never gives bows to anyone but my family."

Joe couldn't help but smile. Having Naenaeon's approval warmed him as he watched the last hint of the pale coat merge into the underbrush.

"I'm going to take a minute to deal with my level, Joe," his archer ally stated. "Then we should look around."

"Good idea. We still have to loot the big guy, and then I have a bunch of updates too. As well as getting acquainted with this guy," Joe replied, placing the monkey-dog on the sun-warmed stone beside him. When the shug monkey was settled, he focused on the alpha corpse as Earcellwen strode off toward the treeline around the ravine.

You have looted Bowler Badboon Alpha.

You have acquired 42 gold pieces, 1 flawed bloodstone, 2 amethysts, and an exceptional aquamarine.

You have acquired the common items [Bracers of the Brutish Brawler], [Badge of the Brutish Brawler], [Hurling Nuts], an uncommon skill crystal [Gang Leader], and two common Ape cards.

The skill shard was Vigor-based. [Gang Leader] gave a moderate reduction to damage on allies in medium range. Joe really wanted to explore the Baleful Warder skills more, but he could see the benefit of general damage reduction. It would save him from having to heal as much if there were less damage done to allies.

Joe was excited about the bracers and badge until he saw they were not actually a set. Even so, they were still good items.

[Bracers of the Brutish Brawler] (Item: Wrist - Common): When you strike the bracers together, they will add 2 points to your Strength for 1 minute. It can be used up to five times a day, recharging at dawn. {Might}

[Badge of the Brutish Brawler] (Item: Chest - Common): When you beat your chest, the badge will add 2 points to your Vigor for 1 minute. It can be used up to five times a day, recharging at dawn. {Durity}

"Hey, Earcellwen," he announced. "Catch." Joe tossed her the badge, keeping the bracers for himself. Joe had a solid Vigor. His claw damage was getting better, but a temporary Strength boost could only help. The elven archer snatched the ape-headed crest easily out of the air and assessed it.

"You sure?" she asked with a raised brow. "These small boosts are nice items to have."

"I got one too. Mine's Strength. I figured I'd rather share loot than first-come-first-served."

"Really? Wonderful. My father always says, 'Allies only in blood make poor friends.' I'd like to be your friend, Joe."

"The feeling is mutual," he replied, spreading the loot he had gotten so far out on a large flat boulder; one that the dwarves must have shaped as it was far too level to have been natural.

He left the gems and the nuts in a big pile since he didn't know how to appraise their worth. The fangs, hides, and hairballs he divided into two piles. He put one ape card in each mound.

The broodling watched with interest, gingerly touching one of the nuts while looking up at Joe to see if he was going to be possessive about his stuff. Joe carefully touched the shug monkey's dog-like head and ruffled the fur lightly, showing that he was ok with sharing. He then gently put a finger on the shell, holding it to the stone for a second. The shaggy critter's first reaction was to try to pull the pinned nut away and bare its teeth. In reaction to the aggression, Joe felt the wildness flare its presence. The changeling felt it too. The dog-ape lowered its eyes and relinquished the round shell.

"Good man. Here you go," Joe praised, releasing the nut and handing it to the shug ape. He repeated this a few more times: taking and returning the nut, reinforcing the good behavior with affection. He then switched to the colorful stones.

The little fellow was a quick study. Soon, it was handing things to Joe, just so Joe could give them back and stroke its shaggy coat. He played the game with the small broodling for a few more minutes until he was certain he wouldn't have any issues with resource guarding. He reminded himself to do the same thing with some treats in a little while to make sure that food wouldn't be a problem either.

Joe found himself smiling. He hadn't had a chance to do any puppy training since Ripple was little.

"Okay, you play with those for a minute," he said, sliding the stones and nuts to the changeling. "I've got some notifications to read."

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