---

Plush pelt placed under his chin, Rancor laid his head down with some pressure. It took some of the literal weight off of his shoulders, expressed with a tired sigh. Very. He had not fully slept in days. How could he, out on the open ocean? He’d get eaten by a shark, or an orca, or anything else. The longer he stayed idle, the more he could feel the burn and sting in each leg. It almost hurt.

Almost.

Ears perked though his eyes stayed closed, listening to his companion while he responded to his important question. Yes, the zombie, which he had never seen or smelled or heard of despite living on Ferinine for a year or so. A curt laugh forced its way out of his ribs, streamline jaws parting. So you let your packmate die. What a disgrace. Not even a she-wolf would let that happen; at the very least, she’d ought to grab her male packmates to save the other.

He’d never thought highly of those that let thin-pawed creatures place collars on their necks, though. They had been around to document his pack once or twice when he was younger, and they’d always avoid the water during that time. Bad, smelly things they rode. Mojave was a disgrace to let them near his ample, soft coat.

In any case, HE seemed not to get that memo. Don’t you remember how he was always there? The black white wolf moved his head somewhat to nestle his chin deeper into cooling fur. Always having to poke and prod and ask what we were up to. In fact, wasn’t it HIM who told you about your collar? His head now lifted some, face scrunching in annoyance at the red thing. Snapping at it, Rancor added, Of course I don’t miss him! I’m just waiting for him to come out of the woodwork, all “I told you so, fish-boy!” His mocking tone could not have been farther from that wolf’s voice.

---

MOJAVE

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Mojave went still as Rancor shifted his weight onto him, trying not to tense up from their proximity. He'd never come this close to Mojave before, not once- and his heartbeat picked up again, his mind doing its best to remain focused on the words Rancor was saying. ... Well... I tried to talk sense to him for a little bit. But after one too many 'accidental' close calls, I lost faith. Mojave huffed, a slight shakiness to his voice as he battled nervousness. Gave up on... all of it, really. Best choice I made, although I do hope Amorak didn't end up that thing's meal

When Rancor brought up Amorak's intrusive nature, Mojave glanced away, as though he were expecting his ex-coworker to pop up at any moment. Always, He began, but his voice stuttered to a halt as Rancor pushed against him more, choking up slightly. Clearing his throat, Mojave forced himself to let go, breathing in deep and exhaling audibly. His muscles relaxed again, though his nerves were still on fire. Always, He started over, raising his voice slightly as he recalled those annoying times. At the worst times, too. I think he was stalking us... or, me, perhaps. He leaned away some as Rancor snapped at the collar, holding in a surprised chuckle.
He WAS. Ugh, to think that he'd heard... ALL of that... he was saying all sorts of terrible things afterwards, making all kinds of insinuations. I'm almost certain he'll be here any second now, even if your impression of him is terrible.

He fell silent for a bit, sighing. Things had been simpler when his main priority was that walking corpse... he'd miss that life, just a little bit. Finally, Mojave seemed to truly relax, as he momentarily drifted off into thoughts about the past...
Surely, we weren't the only strange figures you met, right? I mean, the island was chock-full of oddities. I don't know how you can think a zombie is far-fetched with the kinds of things I've seen around...

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MOJAVE

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He could feel Mojave tense and his muscles tighten as he relaxed into the taller oaf, rounded ear flicking idly as the dull thumping of Mojave’s heart quickened. Why is– The man had begun to ask, though figured he knew the answer anyhow. After rolling his eyes, dark fur bunched in thick rolls as he lifted himself and pulled away.

This wasn’t to say he had moved anywhere. Rancor just didn’t like hearing the heartbeats of a homosexual. He’d only moved his head.

There was, however, an undeniable warmth that had spread from his paws and face to the rest of him. Whether this was from his proximity to the longer fur or because the wind blew the heat over their way he didn’t know. It did make him tired... But he would not fall asleep against a man. Well, I hope he did die. Very badly. It was no secret he hated that wolf.

Watching the weary desert man look around as though anticipating him did irk him some. If Amorak–Ceta forbid–was still out there, he’d kill him. He was probably in love with you. He’s gay, isn't he? All gay men liked every other man, obviously. I bet he was jealous. Rancor had only ever seen them interact negatively. He couldn’t say much about their homelife, but seeing your boyfriend act all cozy with some other.. Guy, would probably piss you off. He personally couldn’t imagine it, though.

Bringing up two paws to rest on the male’s tan coat, he nestled in. I’ve only ever seen normal animals. You know, foxes. Deer, bears. Wolves and the like. I’m sure Ferinine has many species that live there but I haven’t seen enough weird ones to believe you. Although, everything terrestrial was pretty weird to him. They didn’t have deer where he lived. You’d think a Narwhal was weird, if you saw it. I try to be open-minded. After some pause, he could not help but to laugh at his joke.