It was the middle of the day, a time she had chosen specifically because critters of all kinds would be roaming about. Of course, Melody was on the lookout from something very specific, so for the most part, she ignored every chipmunk and raccoon that crossed her path.
No, she wanted a bird. Specifically, a bird to keep her company.
Her pack, her new home (oh, she couldn't get over the feeling of elation when she thought of having one), allowed for avian companions to bond to their members, and while she hadn't been particularly interested at first, loneliness started to set in, and she began to see the advantage to having a familiar.
But the act of finding one was proving to be more challenging. It didn't help that she wanted the perfect bird too. Someone to keep her company, someone she could talk to, someone who could help her keep in touch with her sister.... Neither of her parents had really stuck around once she and Ode were grown - and honestly, she was okay with that - but the loss of her sister was a little more daunting. They had agreed to go their separate ways, but it had been with the hope that they could still communicate with each other.
It had been far too long. She wondered how Ode was doing....
That was a train of thought for another time though. Shaking her head, Chocolate Melody sniffed the air, hoping that perhaps this time she would find a bird willing to bond with her. Maybe if she checked just around this corner, just over the next bend, just across the next stream... maybe they would be there.
And as the sun began to set once more, she felt desperation set in.
Melody was now charging through the forest, pleadingly looking between a flock of crows scattering above her.
"PLEASE." Her voice was wavering now, "Please come down! I just want to ta-alk." Melody's voice cracked as she lowered her head, ears flattening against her skull as she realized that another day of searching had gone by, with nothing to show for it. How many more times did she have to go through this? How much longer until she cracked and walked away? She didn't want to.... Her mother may have been a wanderer, but she wasn't. She'd found her home!
"... Please...."
Defeated, the she-wolf turned and lopped slowly away, back to where her pack resided. Maybe tomorrow would bring her bonded to her... or maybe it wasn't going to amount to anything. Perhaps she was destined to be alone, even while surrounded by others.
She wasn't watching where she was going anymore, now drowning in her own thoughts, and unfortunately, it wasn't until she suddenly felt nothingness beneath her paws that she realized she'd made a mistake.
With a yelp, Chocolate Melody tumbled down the slope, feeling an ear catch against a few rocks and fur getting pulled out, before she settled in a heap on the floor. She let out a quiet sob once it was over, and curled in on herself, wishing she could make it go away.
She almost didn't feel the form landing beside her. In fact, it wasn't until they spoke that she even looked up.
"Hey, shh, it's okay. It's just a few scratches, that's all."
Looking up into concerned eyes, Melody sniffed and rubbed the bottom of her jaw with her paw. Attempts at talking ended in her just babbling nonsensically, so instead the other girl just hushed her more and settled down beside her. The weight was comforting, despite being so foreign, and soon, Melody found herself calming down.The two sat in silence after that, neither really believing that she wouldn't break down again if she tried speaking.
Eventually, Melody glanced over at the wing tucked next to her chest, and then had to do a double take. It was a bird that had found her, that was helping her, but she certainly hadn't quite been expecting how big she was. It was a vulture sitting beside her.
With a sniff, Chocolate Melody rested her head back down, settling it against the feathered body beside her. Eventually, she would want to talk to this stranger, but for now... For now, she only wanted to bask in the presence of someone who cared.
