1 x 1 with Fern

[Boomer]

Alessa flicked her tail as she continued walking with him. The pup then shrugged lightly. "A-as so long it's not an abandoned hospital, I-I'll be fine." she said quietly. The pup didn't like doctors or hospitals very much; part of it was because of the fire and being cooped up for years and the other part was that was really her first interaction with having so much attention heaped on her. Alessa had to constantly be monitored for the first few weeks. Alessa hated the treatments, the needles, the bandage changes... she hated everything about it. "H-hospitals scare me..." she whispered, pinning her ears back nervously.

[fern fawn]

[ • Birch • ]

He gave a slow nod, tilting his head up and gazing to the coverage of the trees. He tried to decide on where to bring her next, knowing they'd have to be back in time to clean up before lunch. There definitely wasn't any abandoned hospitals around, so he didn't have to worry about that. "Alright, let's see..." he looked back to her, trailing his foot through the rocks along the shore. "Are you sure they don't need you back for anything?"

[Boomer]

"I'm okay." she insisted, nodding some. Alessa had Scarlett with her and that's all she needed. The pup looked around the forest, still trying to take in everything. She was inspired to draw the forest and its stream. Alessa calmly sighed as she lightly wagged her tail. "I'm glad I'm out here..." she murmured, "It's so beautiful here and I'm happy to finally have a friend." She then sheepishly smiled to Scarlett. "Besides Scarlett..." she added.

[fern fawn]

[ • Birch • ]

Birch smiled, his own tail wagging as well. Hearing her consider them friends, he decided on where to bring her. "I'm glad too." He glanced down to her toy as she mentioned it, then back up to her. "Okay, let's go. I'll show you my favorite spot." With a soft smile still resting on his muzzle, he began walking down the shore of the small stream, heading further from the orphanage.

[Boomer]

Alessa, for once, wasn't worried about anything in the world. She had a new friend and he was going to show her an amazing spot. She wasn't scared or hurting, she was truly happy. Alessa loved this feeling and never wanted it to end. The girl kept up Birch easily, although she still avoided the water. "How far is it from the orphanage?" she asked, tilting her head some. Alessa doubted it would be extremely far, but she was still curious.

[fern fawn]

[ • Birch • ]

Birch continued along the shoreline, occasionally glancing back to make sure Alessa was alright. His tail swayed slowly back and forth behind him as he stepped over or around the larger rocks. "I'd say about five minutes or so from here." He never kept track of the time and was constantly stopping to check something out, so it was difficult to say. "Have you met any of the other kids?" he questioned, his curiosity evident in his voice.

[Boomer]

Alessa was careful as she walked next to him. She then shook her head at his question. "N-no, you're the first one to talk to me." she said quietly. Alessa had felt so anxious at breakfast; it seemed like everyone already had friends to talk to. Why would they want to include her? Alessa shook her head once again, then flicked her tail. "I didn't expect anyone to talk to me for a while." she murmured, "I didn't really have any friends in school."

[fern fawn]

[ • Birch • ]

"Oh, well, most of them are...nice." Birch replied, giving a small lift of his shoulders. It was true, most of them were nice, but they also each had their things that annoyed him. There were a few of the older kids that thought they ruled the house, but the canine mostly just tried to avoid them. They weren't worth his time. "Yeah, they already have their little groups they stay in, but you just gotta jump right in." At least, that's how it had been for him all those years ago. He tried to play with everyone until he learned the ones that would allow him to. He gave a frown at her mention of school, glancing back to her. After pausing to look around the area, he crossed the stream and began back into the tree line, looking once more to Alessa and waiting for her.

[Boomer]

"I'm not so sure why they'd want to be friends with me..." murmured Alessa, "They're happy with their groups and whatnot. I'm sort of used to being alone." Alessa watched as Birch crossed the stream and waited for her. Alessa looked to the water for a moment. She frowned as she carefully tried stepping on the slick rocks to avoid the water. Sure enough she slipped and fell into the swallow water. Thankfully it wasn't deep, but she still got wet. The pup stood up and rushed to get her coat over her burn scars; she didn't like going into water when others were around.

[fern fawn]

[ • Birch • ]

"You just have to give them the chance. Sure, some probably won't want to be your friend, but I'm sure some would too." He waited on the other side for her, his features amused as she tried to step on the larger rocks. It was so shallow, he wasn't sure why she even bothered. Birch held back a laugh as she fell, but quickly reeled it in, looking to her features. "You okay? It's a little cold." He glanced over her, trying to determine if she had injured herself even before she answered him.