His gaze wandered over the rest of the creature's form. In his ignorance, he had assumed it to be an outer layer of the creature's hide, a notion reinforced by its tight fit and seamless appearance. However, upon further observation, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The material felt foreign beneath his touch, cool and smooth against his rough scales, unlike anything he had ever encountered in the jungle.
Slowly, a realization dawned on him, a gnawing sense of unease creeping into his mind. Could it be possible that this outer layer was not a natural part of the creature's body, much like the head shell? The head shell obviously served to provide protection, but what purpose could this outer layer possibly serve? The thought filled him with a mixture of curiosity and revulsion as he grappled with the idea of removing what he had mistakenly believed to be its skin. Dread tightened his chest as he contemplated the act, fearing he would inflict further harm upon the creature he was striving to protect. And so, torn between his instinct to care for the creature and his fear of causing it more pain, he hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.
As he inspected the outer layer, he realized that it was damaged beyond repair. It was full of holes, and whatever its intended purpose may have been, it was now unable to fulfill it. With a mixture of concern and determination, he decided to remove the outer layer. He carefully slid a claw into one of the holes and lifted it away from the layer underneath. The creature gave no indication of pain, so he used his claw to slice downward and began to peel away the torn outer layer, his reptilian eyes widened in surprise and confusion.
The creature's true form was revealed, it had smooth, pink skin that contrasted with his own scaly, green exterior. The creature had other more notable abnormalities though. He couldn't comprehend the creature's chest, where two fleshy protrusions stood out prominently. What could possibly be the purpose of these strange appendages? They didn't resemble anything on himself or any other creature he had ever encountered. To him, they appeared like foreign growths, almost like a deformity or a mutation. In his limited understanding, he couldn't help but find it both strange and intriguing.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: perhaps they were swollen injuries. In that case, he should investigate and make sure the creature wasn't in immediate danger. With cautious fascination, he gently touched one of the protrusions. As his calloused fingertips made contact, he couldn't help but recoil slightly at the sensation. The creature's skin was unlike anything he had ever felt before, almost in its softness and warmth. It was a stark contrast to his own hardened and resilient exterior. He marveled at the creature's ability to move freely without hindrance while it traveled through the jungle earlier. With such swelling, the injury must hurt greatly.
The creature was breathing evenly, and there was nothing he could do for the injuries to its chest. He reasoned that the seeping wounds needed to be treated before he could worry about any internal injuries. Deciding this, he moved on with treating the rest of the creature's injuries, applying poultices and binding wounds. He lifted each of the creature's appendages and flexed them at their joints. Satisfied that he had treated all of the injuries that he could, he sat back to observe the creature and waited.
********
As he gazed upon the creature he had tended to, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation swirled within him. Here was a being unlike any he had ever encountered, yet strangely familiar in its resemblance to himself. The thought of having a companion, of sharing the solitude of the jungle, stirred something deep within him that he couldn't quite grasp.
However, despite his readiness for companionship, he found himself at a loss for what to do next. His entire existence had been solitary, his interactions limited to the flora and fauna of the jungle. He had no concept of how to communicate with another sentient being, let alone care for one. The very notion of social interaction was foreign to him.
The differences between them seemed vast and insurmountable. How could a creature with no natural defenses survive in a world as harsh and unforgiving as his? He couldn't help but marvel at the stark contrast between its vulnerability and his own primal strength. Its presence, while intriguing, also filled him with a sense of unease.
With his sharp teeth, claws, and talons, he was well-equipped to navigate the dangers of the jungle, his thick hide serving as a formidable barrier against other predators and the elements. In comparison, the creature appeared small, weak, and defenseless, its soft flesh and fragile frame ill-suited for the wild.
As he watched over it, a newfound sense of protectiveness welled up within him, driving him to ensure its safety and well-being in this untamed wilderness they now shared. He silently vowed to stand guard over it, his keen senses alert to any signs of danger that might threaten his newfound companion. The gentle rhythm of the creature's breathing filled the air, and he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring within him - a hope that perhaps they could learn from each other, and that he might find the answer to the loneliness he had never dared to fully acknowledge. And perhaps, in him, it would find the protection it so obviously needed.
In the cycles that followed, he tirelessly tended to the creature, observing its gradual recovery with a mixture of relief and wonder. Strange emotions began to grow within him. Despite his solitary existence, he yearned to provide comfort and healing to this unfamiliar being. Guided by primitive wisdom, he embarked on his efforts, driven by an innate desire to experience companionship and compassion.
As the suns rose and set several times, the creature gradually grew stronger. It began to regain consciousness more often and for longer periods of time, although it was evident that it was not fully lucid yet. Sometimes it would lie there silently observing him, while at other times it would emit a plaintive sound and tears would stream from its eyes. He tenderly poured water into its mouth, coaxing it to swallow, and chewed food to feed it, much like a mother bird caring for her chick. He diligently changed poultices, reapplied salves, and kept the creature clean. He would stretch the creature's limbs out and flex them at all their joints doing his best to ensure that its limbs did not grow stiff.
As the creature regained alertness, he began to encounter resistance. It grew restless, pushing him away when he approached. Its movements became agitated, and it vocalized with cries of frustration and fear. Despite the challenges, he continued to provide care, maintaining a calm and patient demeanor while tending to the creature's needs.
He attempted to soothe it, adapting his care to ensure its comfort and well-being, regardless of its uncooperative nature. He found himself closely observing the creature's actions, noting the differences in its behavior when it seemed to be in pain or discomfort compared to when it felt more at ease.
********
Ren's eyelids fluttered as she slowly regained consciousness. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and her body felt heavy and weak. As her vision cleared, she found herself staring up at gnarled tree limbs in a dimly lit area, surrounded by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of the jungle.
Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to piece together what had happened and how she had come to be here. She remembered the crash, being injured and the pain, Noey missing, and then... nothing. She knew she was not alone. Someone had moved her here, and judging by her healed state, cared for her.
She remembered snippets of her time in the throes of the fever. She knew if whoever cared for her had meant her harm she'd be dead. That knowledge alone kept the scream in her throat when she turned her head and her eyes fell upon the creature standing near the entrance to the room.
It towered over her, standing at least two meters tall. The creature had vibrant green skin that was scaly and rough textured with small scales covering it, and a long, thick tail swayed behind it. Its orange reptilian eyes shone in the dim light of the shelter, observing her with curiosity. Small horns protruded from its forehead, nearly hidden by brown, shaggy, feather-like hair. As she looked at it, a shiver ran down her spine. Its facial features were mostly human-like, with forward facing eyes, a protruding nose, and a thin mouth, which was slightly ajar. The teeth she could see were razor-sharp, and she couldn't help but imagine the damage they could inflict.
Ren's gaze slid down its arms, taking note of the long spikes jutting out from its elbows. Moving further down, she observed its hands, or rather, the long, sharp claws that extended from the tip of each finger. The creature was completely bare, with no visible genitalia, and she could see that even its feet sported long, curved talons. Every instinct screamed at her to flee, to escape from this terrifying creature. Ren had familiarized herself with most of the species that traversed the universe, and some of them were very odd looking, but she had never seen a creature as primal as this one. More than its appearance alerted her to danger. Something in her core said this was an apex predator.
If it wanted to eat me, it could have. It could've hurt me already and it chose not to. A monster wouldn't do that. She talked herself back from the brink of panic, allowing curiosity to take its place. What was this creature doing here? Why was it tending to her injuries?
Ren tried to speak, but her voice came out as a weak croak. She cleared her throat and tried again, "Thank you for helping me. Where are we? Who are you?" She asked in Universal.