James felt nothing but relief as he saw golden fur cross his vision, Ari jumping out in front of him and pressing into his neck. His breath hitched and he sniffled, gathering himself up to speak.

"I don't know if I-I can," he whimpered, "I might... I might n-need help- I'm so sorry, I wasn't careful. I-I was sparring with someone a-and I just... I tripped! I tripped and it was s-so stupid..."

Once again, he tried to stand, inhaling sharply as he finally shoved himself to his feet. His left hind was lifted, and he could only be thankful that it was the one that got broken, because a front leg was much harder to deal with.

"H-hurts-" he said, inhaling sharply.

James was definitely going into shock judging by the fact that his pupils were blown and the pain was numbing a bit.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle pressed his face roughly into James’ chest. He was relieved to see him, and wondered how he had gotten here. The lion pulled back as he heard James’ voice crack as he sniffled. He let out a gentle purr in an attempt to calm the horse. Aristotle could see that James was near hysterical at the moment he came upon him. The lion couldn’t help but pity his poor best friend.

James spoke saying he didn’t if he could stand. I’ll help you. Gently Aristotle placed his side against James’ rump. The horse began spewing words and apologies. Calm down, it’s okay. Accidents happen James. Aristotle soothed the horse gently.

When James tried to stand, Aristotle used his own weight to help push him to his hooves. Slowly Aristotle moved away from James only once he was sure the horse was not going to fall back down. Just in case Aristotle moved around to James' other side. If James fell, then his landing would be softened by the rather robust and now well muscled lion.

James spoke again now standing, he stammered out that it hurt. I know it does. Come on let get you home where I can at least treat the swelling. Aristotle urged James with a bit of urgency in his voice. He knew that an injury like this was a very bad thing. However he didn’t exactly know how bad a broken hoof was for a horse. Slowly Aristotle began to lead James back towards the house and Sun. Though his pace was slow and steady as he walked at the horse’s side, his baby blue eyes looked up gently at his best friend. If you fall I’ll be here so don’t worry. Aristotle assured James that he wouldn’t leave his side, not until they got home at least then he would need to gather herbs and ingredients to treat James’ injury.




@James

James decided not to say what he really wanted to say, and took a step forward, hopping his hind foot foward after his other limbs. It was slow and awkward, but he was doing it.

"... I'm sorry I left Sun alone," he mumbled, "Alrik was just... yowling. I thought something was wrong."

He couldn't get the image out of his head. Alrik's disappointed face. Why? What had he done wrong to have the other feel that way?

But aside from that, James really wanted to go home. He ached and his foot burned like nothing he'd ever felt before. He pushed back tears and picked up the pace, knowing Ari would be there to catch him when he fell.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle had questions for James, but they could wait. He needed to get James home so he could rest and heal. His poor best friend had been badly injured and he needed to tend to his injuries.

Rounded audits shifted as they caught James’ voice speaking to him. He was apologizing for leaving Sun. It’s alright James. Aristotle assured his best friend yet again. Sun would be alright by himself for a time. Aristotle was sure the boy would only try investigating the house on his own. He was sure he wouldn’t venture far from their home and if he did, Aristotle could track him down with his nose. James it’s alright I promise, Sun will be alright I’m sure. If he wakes up I’m sure he’ll only play in the house or the garden. Aristotle assured his best friend that their child would be alright without them for a short time.

Slowly Aristotle guided James around the final corner and onto their street. It had taken them far longer than it should have to make their way home. By this time Aristotle was panting with exertion from supporting James' side so he wouldn’t fall. Look James were almost home. Aristotle almost cheered with relief when they neared the front door of their home. Rounded Audits caught the sound of Sun still sleeping. Don’t worry Sun’s still asleep we can get this treated and keep you down until it heals. I’ll of course take care of you while you’re healing. But you can thank me for that later. Aristotle teased hoping to try and ease James’ spirits just a little. Aristotle led James to a short pile of furs under the glimmering lights strung throughout the tree. Here he could inspect James’ injury far better now that he wouldn’t be freaking out about not being home.



@James

Relief was clear in his eyes as Ari confirmed that the child was still asleep. He clenched his jaw and staggered forward, determined to get inside.

"Thank you," he said softly, "I guess I'm lucky that I met you. I have my own personal hearler to heal my 'stupidity wounds'."

James couldn't actually get down, his leg stinging if it touched anything. He couldn't lower himself down even with Ari's help, for he was simply too heavy. He'd have to rip it off like a band-aid.

He toppled over clumsily and grunted as he hit the furs, laying on his side and panting gently, hind leg lifted off the ground, "I need more support. Under my rump and neck. I can't lay on my belly or else I could get seriously hurt."

There was a sense of urgency in his voice, ears pinning. He'd be fine for now, but more than an hour and he knew that it would become dangerous.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle stayed as close to James’ side as he possibly could the whole way to the spare furs he hadn’t added to their bed. Gently he stepped forward nuzzling James. Aristotle himself was quite relieved with the fact that Sun was still asleep. The boy didn’t need to see his other father in such pain or the injury itself.

Rounded audits flicked once as James thanked him. A light smile flitted into place on Aristotle’s muzzle. Don’t thank me. I don’t know how much I can do. I’m going to need sticks, vines, some Iceberry bark, and some Iceberrys to help the bark go down. The lion began making notes aloud as he inspected James leg more closely. Unfortunately James, It’s completely broken. I can stabilize it, but you’re going to have to stay off of it for at least a week. Aristotle explained to James. He had seen deer with broken legs when he hunted they were easy prey, he would now have to keep a much closer eye on his herbivorous friend.

Aristotle cringed as James just flopped down onto the furs. Then the lion looked at James as he explained about himself. Alright, I’ll go grab a few pelts to put under both of them before I grab everything else. Aristotle didn’t want James to get hurt anymore than he already was. So without much thought he trotted into the bedroom and grabbed some furs from around the base of Abraxas. Aristotle trotted back into the main room dragging the pelts in his mouth. Pulling them apart the lion used his muzzle to fold them in on themselves. Then he stacked them several under James rump, and several under his front half so he wasn’t laying square on his belly. That better? Aristotle asked James curiously hoping this would do because the only other furs he had were the bed in the bedroom.

From there Aristotle trotted out to the back garden and broke off several nicely sized branches. From there he cut several lengths of vine. With these things he trotted into the house and lay them down near James’ injured back leg. Then he trotted outside and picked a bunch of the iceberries, laying them on the ground he stripped pieces of the bark from the bush. Then he plucked a sprig of what would commonly be known as Rosemary. Picking all three up he trotted back inside. Aristotle sat down in front of James cutting the bark and rosemary into small bits he plucked several berries from the bunch and dropped them in. Finishing that Aristotle scooped it all up in the bottom of his upturned paw.

Here eat this. The bark will help the swelling and pain. The other plant is to help stave off infection. The berries are just to cover up the taste of the other two. Aristotle gave James a sheepish grin as he offered his upturned paw to James. Come on, I’m gonna need your help to stabilize your leg with those sticks and vines. If we don’t the bone will heal lame. Aristotle had studied many things on the lesser gembound. Noting that those that healed from previous injuries were often lame due to not having proper care. After James had eaten the mixture from his hand, Aristotle moved to The injured leg and sighed. This is going to hurt but just bare with me please. The lion explained as he lay lifted the leg with one paw and scooted the lengths of vine under it with the other. Then he placed one stick on the ground and positioned the leg over it. From there he placed the other stick on top of the leg and held them steady. Okay now I need you to tie the lengths of vine as tight as you can around your leg and the sticks. Aristotle instructed James. This is going to hurt but you need to do it to stabilize the leg. The lion warned the horse that it was indeed going to hurt a lot.



@James

James shifted so he was more comfortable, curling his good legs in to get them out of the way. He was sweating, his mane sticking to his face as he shuddered gently.

"I'll be okay," he promised, licking Ari's face before munching up the mixture, eyes scrunching shut at the taste before he swallowed it down.

"Hang on- hang on I'll brace myself," he said, "I got another spell... It should work."

A trickle of magic flowed into the wound, easing the pain slightly and assiting in speeding up healing a bit. He lay his head down and relaxed as much as he could before crying out in pain as his leg was forcefully set. His other leg kicked out instictively back, thankfully not hitting Ari, and he let out a pained sob, muscles tensed.

"It's over- It's over-" he said, trying to comfort himself, "... Owie."

James blinked his eyes open and wiped away his tears on the furs, before looking back at his leg. It was bound, and though he wouldn't be able to walk on it, he'd be okay. It was over.

"Ow," he mumbled again, pawing out with a front leg as he let his head flop down, chest heaving, "Ghh... I feel nauseous."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle looked at James, his body covered in sweat. The poor horse's muscles spasmed from the pain and shock. The lick did little to reassure the lion that James would indeed be alright. However as he licked up the mixture he knew that soon the pain and swelling would go down. Sorry not enough Iceberry to get rid of the bitter? Or did the Iceberry only serve to make the taste worse? I’m still experimenting with the right mixture to make it go down easy. Aristotle admitted with a sheepish grin, he knew from experience that the mixture worked but that it indeed left a horrible taste in the mouth. It was mostly the rosemary's bitter flavor when chewed.

The lion cringed as his best friend cried out in pain. He knew it hurt and he felt horrible for making it worse than it already was. But he would only have to do this once. Aristotle instinctively pulled his head back as he saw James hoof flash through his vision narrowly missing him. He shot James a playful grin. Hey now we don’t need me here with a cracked jaw. Aristotle teased the horse playfully trying to ease a bit of the tension in the room. However James let out a sob and Aristotle’s heart sank, he wanted to love James better, he wanted to take the pain away. But all he could do was ease it and make sure it healed properly.

Aristotle moved back after finishing setting everything as it needed to be after James tied the vines in place, he moved back and gave James a soft smile. However James had laid his head down and admitted he felt sick. Oh I have something for that too! The lion chirped eagerly as he trotted outside and came back with a bunch of brilliant green leaves that smelled minty. If one knew what it was it would be commonly known as mint leaf. Gently Aristotle sat the small bunch of leaves on the ground in front of James Here eat this, it’ll help your belly. Aristotle offered softly.



@James

"N-not taste, it was the texture," he said, before shifting uncomfortably, "S-sorry."

James swallowed and slowly relaxed under Ari's grooming, not entirely, but enough that his muscles weren't aching anymore.

"... We horses don't throw up, we don't have a gag reflex," he said, "But it means we can accidentally make ourselves even more ill. It's called colic. It kind of sucks. I had a bout when I was younger and felt so ill... Just for a day or so, and after that I was fine. I think magic doesn't really like my biology, ha."

He snuggled up in the furs and sighed softly, sniffling gently. He was more than exhausted, from the fight, and then this. Not to mention being a jungle gym the day before and trying to entertain Sun while Ari was off doing his thing for the Collector.

"... I'm 4 cycles soon," he mumbled, "That... that means that I'll be an adult."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The lion cringed as James pointed out the problem.I hadn’t thought of the texture. Maybe next time I’ll crush it all together in a paste, do you think that would help? Aristotle asked James though he mostly thinking out loud, however James’ opinion would have quite an effect on how Aristotle did things.

Aristotle smiled lightly as he continued to groom James while he talked. I see, lions have one and mine seems to work rather well. The lion laughed a bit before going back to cleaning the sweat from James’ matted mane. Though making yourself sick isn’t a good thing Let me know if you do it again. I’m sure I have something that can at least help relieve the symptoms. Aristotle offered kindly, he had many plants that had different effects when eaten or rubbed on the skin or placed in an open wound.

His experience with The Collector had been interesting to say the least. The creature had kept his whole form hidden under a cloak and behind a mask. He had strange clawed hands and strange voice. His personality had left quite an impression on the lion, and he would if he could call upon The Collector next time to just have a conversation. He was sure that The Collector would prove to have many interesting things to talk about.

Aristotle smiled backing up a bit as James snuggled down into the fur getting more comfortable. Then he started speaking again, this time about his age. Aristotle flashed James a sheepish grin. Then I guess I’m an adult. I’ve been four cycles for about a week now. Aristotle hadn’t really thought much about his age, he was curious why James was bringing it up now. So why bring it up? The lion question as he sat down near James to talk.



@James