ORIGIN

Burning within the forefront of the young buffalo’s mind was a desire, a call for adventure. The need to seek more than the sectional of the cavern his chrysalis had formed and then spat this body upon the mossy grounds. The child turned at the thought of staying in one place for too long as that is not what a true adventurer would do. That was the only spur the calf needed in his side to get out there and see what the caverns could offer.

Time ticked by slowly as lanky limbs carried Kharis out into unknown with a wavering gait. Aimless wandering lead on by the curiosity which couldn’t be quenched. Amber eyes turned about laying claim to whatever pushed into his vision. The world far grander than his young mind could even begin to grasp and piece together. Instead it was viewed in singular parts, points which would be forgotten in time by a foolish child. But for now just the sight of the walls around him were interesting enough to be called successful adventures.

Hooves clicked and scrapped against the hard flooring when limbs didn’t lift far enough from the surface. The sound echoed into the twisting pathways which only added to the other noises the calf could hear. Flared ears twisted this way and that in hopes to locate the sounds, a location which was no longer a mystery as water fell from the ceiling. A surprised grunt shot from his lungs as the child dashed forward to avoid getting splashed again.

That scurrying about and fumbling against the floor lasted till the boy was in an entirely different place than before. A heavy scent now filled the air and the ground sunk beneath splaying hooves. It was a curious texture and felt similar to what had been around the edges of the pond. It was there Kharis lingered, lifting and pressing down his hooves many times to leave a cloven imprint. Till one plant brought a surprise.

A strange sensation rolled through the calf’s limb, a feeling that wasn’t quite understood by the youngster. But blossoming between the cloven toes was a handful of small mushrooms. Head titled with interest as the calf reached down to sniff at the growths. But when nothing truly exciting happened a frustrated a snort pulled from his nostrils while hoof pawed at the ground. Tearing at the growths which held no reason to the child, but it made for a fun game to rip them from the muck.

Even long after the fungal growths he’d created were torn from the ground the pawing continued. Kharis’ hoof sunk into the muck over and over to toss back the dirt with a thrill that had yet to be experienced. The give this ground gave was exciting to him. How easily it pulled away from the rest of the substance and how it clung to whatever it came in contact with. This was an excitement rocks couldn’t provide.

With a bound the calf hurled himself forward as an excited bleat rose on his tongue. The noise echoed in the tunnel as all four hooves stamped down into the mud, sending it flying every which way to splatter up on his hide. Limbs pulled up and stomped down to make a bigger mess as well as make the buffalo oblivious to the appearance of another. The small hyena ducking behind a rock was missed entirely as there were clearly more important things the boy’s tiny mind was wrapped up in.

Kharis continued to be lost to the world around him. Hooves beating into the mud to send it flying towards him which only made him splash around even more. Gleeful bellows pulling from his throat as he was deaf to the steps of the other gembound. Well he was until a bout of giggles was unleashed from the stalking critter. Wide eyes rose quickly to see the other creature leaping towards him.

Hooves pushed against the earth, a sidestep, and the assault was easily dodged. What a loser! The young bull would just have to show whatever this thing was how to properly attack something! Lowering that square, hornless head of his the youngster snorted and charged forward.

Though the ground was slicker than he would’ve imaged for make a successful charge. A surprised gasp leapt from his throat as the calf lost his footing. Hooves fell from beneath him and sent the child toppling over into the muck upon his chest. The gained momentum from the started run sent the calf sliding through the mud till he flopped over on his side. A disappointed snort huffing from his nostrils.

Laugher echoed in his ears and as a response the boy gave a glare over his shoulder while fighting to right himself in the slick mud. But he didn’t get far, hardly lifting his head from the muck when the strange creature came for him again. She wasn’t going to get him if he could help it! A determined snort blew from his nostrils even as this thing ran towards him in a splashing fury of mud.

But suddenly a rather horrified sounding scream rang in Kharis’ ears, the other kid threw herself into the air and successfully hurled that pudgy body of hers over his back. This time it was his turn to laugh at how much she was failing! And because he was clearly better at this game, despite not hitting her earlier, he’d just have to show her how it was done again!

Lankly limbs scrambled in the mud till the calf was back on all four hooves. The thick muck dripped from his chin and pretty much everything else. Where he’d failed once before it wouldn’t happen again! And being the not so smart baby he was the boy charged again. Head lowered as he would surely succeed! Only instead of getting the other kid the young buffalo merely succeeded in slipping again and dragging his face through the mud.