Action. Thought. "Speech."

Forgraves was running low on supplies again. many of his stock had gone rotten during his time with the blacksmith, though he didn't resent that period of time, it still meant there was work to be done. it was... difficult, with 3/4 of your legs currently functioning as they're supposed to. every movement he tried to make with the one would result is painful cramps and mind numbing pain as something would tear or shift in a way it wasn't meant to.

he needed to restock on something specifically in Eridanus, which means of course he had to walk a large ways away again, and then all the way back when he was done. tiring.

He was sat by a bush of particularly pretty flowers, carefully harvesting the petals and nothing more.

@Maximus

Max had first seen Eridanus like the adit of a long-abandoned mine, overgrown with plants with animals living inside, nature having reclaimed what had been taken. They stepped forth into the jungle with a mission: to find foot.

As they moved through the underbrush they collected the white berries they found, intent on getting rid of the horrible purple X across their face. If something could be done about their eyes, too, that would be great as well. The less they had that reminded them of Vargas, the better.

A new life and all that.

Lost in their thoughts, they very nearly missed the tiny little shape very suddenly under one foot, forcing them to shift their weight and topple over into a tree with a grunt, though they quickly stood up and hunched, eyes wide.

"Oh caves- I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," they said, stepping back, wary of the other running away from them or something.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

Forgraves had barely even heard Maximus coming. it was only when he HEARD them that he turned and squeaked in surprise, stumbling backward, paws raised to shield his head.

he only lowered them when Maximus fell backward directly into a fucking TREE.

"o-oh jeez, are you alright?!" he asked, "i-i'm fine, no need to be sorry!! are you okay? are you hurt? i'm sorry, i should've been watching my surroundings!!" he stammered in apology, previous task forgotten to move forward, eyeing Max for injury.

it was only like Forgraves to apologize for nearly being stepped on for reason of being in max's way.

"..t-truly sorry!!" he added again for good measure.

@Maximus

"Why are you apologizing?", they asked, genuinely confused, "I was the one who nearly stepped on you, there's no need nor reason to apologize."

Max stepped back when Forgraves stepped forward, nervous, "I-I'm fine, don't worry. No injuries here."

They lowered themselves onto all fours, lessening the height different by a fair bit as they sat down, the tree at their back. It was an odd place to sit among the uncomfortable roots, but Draconua had successfully instilled more fear in them, and they constantly felt an itch on their back like something was out there.

Just waiting for an opening to strike.

"I'm Maximus," they introduced, "Or just Max, either is fine."

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

"gah, i don't know. still, sorry for um. making you fall." he said, huffing. "i've made a fool of myself, haven't i?"

he tilted his head at max backing up, before letting out an 'oh-"and backing up himself, not wanting to crowd them.

"N-nice to meet ya, max! I'm Forgraves, but uh. i don't think i have a nickname. its hard to get one out of forgraves, i think." he said, somewhat muttering that last bit to himself. as if he was making a mental note to think of a shorter name.

"w-what brings you to these parts of the caves? i was just, uh- gathering plants. ran out of stuff for healing salves." he chirped, smiling at max nervously.

@Maximus

"No, it's okay," they assured, "I don't think you sound like a fool at all."

They smiled gently and perked up, ears flicking upward, "Healing salves? You're a healer?"

Max placed a hand on their chest, fingers splaying out, "I am too! Or uh... I used to be. Until I got kicked out."

They shook their head and sat a bit taller, intent on forgetting that. If they stopped thinking about it then the stress would go away. Draconua wasn't coming for them, they were fine.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

Forgraves gave a small smile, brightening up a little.

now, the healer thing got his attention. "oh, uh, yes!! i don;t use magic, i rely mostly on plants and the more physical matters of it, so uh... take that as you will, but i think im getting better at it. i haven't had much practice other than my daughter who keeps... getting into trouble" he huffed with a fond smile.

he tilted his head. "kicked out? well that sounds... bad. sorry to hear that, do you know where you're staying now yet?" he asked, frowning softly.

@Maximus

Maximus shifted the now permanent sling that rested across their back, holding some furs, their broken spearhead (it was still useful as a knife), their kooru stone, some trinkets, and of course, their music box. It would stay with them always, now, since there was no place to just... leave them.

"That's interesting, I learned things like that," they said, "How some plants cure fevers or full pain."

But as for the latter question...

"Ah, no," they said, rubbing their head, "Nowhere to stay. I've been taking shelter in Orion when it rains, but nowhere permanent."

They hoped to make a place, though, like a house in the trees somewhere.

@Forgraves