#side-striped jackal

[inatcanids]

Side-striped Jackal Lupulella adusta

Observed by iainmcdonald, CC BY-NC

[opellisms]

Oh woops! Look at the time! Time for the anual explosion of March Mammal Madness art!

Featuring the round 1 and 2 artwork for the first 2 divisions, since I forgot to post yesterday.

Dadbod division: Emperor penguin round 1 & 2 Greater Rhea round 1 Lined seahorse round 1 Wolverine round 1 & 2

Mighty Stripes division: Scottish wildcat round 1 Sumatran striped rabbit round 1 Striped polecat round 1 Side-striped jackal round 2 Striped hyena round 1 & 2

[fursona-resources]

Species: Wolf-like Canids (Cuon, Lycaon, Lupulella)

This series focuses on helping people choose interesting species for their fursona through informing them of the many, often overlooked, species out there! This post is about wolf-like canids.

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Species:

Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

Size: 50cm (19in) height (at shoulder), 90cm (35in) lenght, 45cm (17in) tail lenght, 10-21kg (22-46lbs) weight

Diet: carnivorous, preys on ungulates

Habitat: alpine meadows, montane steppes, montane taigas, forests

Range:

Status: endangered

Please note! The dhole has 7 subspecies!

Of which I would like to highlight:

Ussuri Dhole (Cuon alpinus alpinus)

Cuon alpinus lepturus

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African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

Size: 60-75cm (24-30in) height (at shoulder), 71-112cm (28-44in) lenght, 29-41cm (11-16in) tail lenght, 18-25kg (40-55lbs) weight

Diet: carnivorous, preys on ungulates

Habitat: savannah

Range:

Status: endangered

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Side-Striped Jackal (Lupulella adusta)

Size: 35-50cm (14-20in) height (at shoulder), 69-81cm (27-32in) lenght, 30-41cm (12-16in) tail lenght, 6.5-14kg (14-31lbs) weight

Diet: omnivore, viaried. Preys on small mammals, invertebrates; eats fruit.

Habitat: woodlands, scrublands

Range:

Status: least concern

Please note! The side-striped jackal has 7 subspecies!

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Black-Backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas)

The black-backed jackal has 2 subspecies:

Cape Black-Backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas)

East African Black-Backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas schmidti)

Size: 38-48cm (15-19in) height (at shoulder), 67-81cm (26-32in) lenght, 6-13kg (13-29lbs) weight

Diet: omnivore, preys on small mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, fish; eats carrion, berries

Habitat: varied; coastal deserts, savannahs

Range:

Status: least concern

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[animal-families-tournaments]

[packpack-killkill]

Side-striped Jackal | Adam Tomlinson Photography

[antiqueanimals]

Brehm's Tierleben. Written by Alfred Brehm. Illustration by Gustav Mützel. 1900 edition.

Internet Archive

[angellurgy2]

need to make trig his jackalsona i think

[c0yoteclaws]

hey do we have new fursona tomorrow

[gaydogmarriage]

it fucks me up that cyno has such a strong wolf motif that it suppresses the (more inspiration-accurate) jackal/dog motif. like i actually kinda appreciate the blending together of multiple different canines bc even mythology is often blurry about the distinction of similar but different animals and having both a wild jackal and a domestic dog motif to play with is fun, but the wolf is sooo forced in there. they even went as far as to replace the canis in canis aureus (scientific name of the golden jackal) with lupus. hijacked the dog to make it wolf instead. wolves are also in the canis genus it's fine!!!!!! it's all canis!! always has been!!!!!!!!!!

[mechawolfie]

still working on his design. lord help me

[theverynothumankai]

I n T r O d U c T i O n P o S t

I’m Kai, also called Malakai. This is my blog for all things Nonhuman. Come join my little side of tumblr. <3

I’m a Polytherian, Polykin, Polylink, Otherfix, Otherhearted, and Fictionflicker/Otherflicker.

Theriotypes: Vancouver Coastal Sea Wolf (also known as Coastal Wolf and Vancouver Island Wolf); Canada Lynx; Red Fox; Nurse Shark; Snow Leopard; Maned Wolf; Norwegian Forest Cat; Coyote; Side-Striped Jackal; Dhole. Kintypes: Dragon (SeaWing/SilkWing Hybrid); Dragon (Night-Light Fury Hybrid); Dark Fey (Forest Type, from Maleficent); Avian (winged humans with tails); Raccoon (gold winged and gold horned); Silver Fox (with big crow-like/themed wings); Angel (shape-shifting, three pairs of wings, comforter of those who are lost). Hearttypes: Whale Shark. Flickertypes: Hylian (from TOTK/BOTW); Orphinki (OC species); Sable; Owl (all). Questioning: Ocelot Theriotype; Manta Ray Theriotype; Orca Whale Theriotype; Maine Coon Cat Theriotype; Jumping Spider Theriotype or Hearttype; Pallas Cat Theriotype; Manta Ray Kintype; Siren Kintype; Dragon Kintype (feathered wings); Mosasaur Theriotype; Blue Whale Theriotype; (Baby) Bongo Theriotype; Kirk’s Dik Dik Theriotype.

More Info On My ‘Types Here.

I’m a PseudoHuman, which means I may appear to be human, but am not.

I’m SunNonhuman, which means my nonhumanity is integrated into my baseline personality. It does not prevent me from having minor fluctuations of mood that feel slightly more animal or slightly less animal. I do not experience mental shifts to my nonhuman types.  I’m Transspecies (more specifically Humanfluid) and Voidpunk, which means I identify as another species (and more specifically have a fluctuating connection to my humanity), and that I’m reclaiming the dehumanization and demonization that I face in the marginalized minorities I’m in, basically I’m reclaiming dehumanization and fully embracing inhumanity/nonhumanity.

I’m Physical Nonhuman, in the way that since I am my ‘types, so is my body (although, I am aware that my body is technically human/human-presenting).

I’m a CladoNonhuman, specifically with my Owl Flickertype. I am all owls, not just one or a few, although I am more so connected to a couple specific species rather than equally to all. My Owl Flickertype comes and goes, it’s been gone for a while but it’s coming back again, and I have no doubt that that will happen again.

My Otherfix identity influences my nonhuman identity overall, by the way! So, a lot of my theriotypes and kintypes are due to hyperfixations (although, remember, they are involuntary and permanent for me!), and then a lot of my flickertypes have been due to hyperfixations (once again, involuntary and the flickertypes come and go).

The reasons/origins of my Nonhumanity is due to a combination of Past Lives, Fate, and Neurodivergency. I believe I was all my ‘types in past lives, and that I only found out about being these things in this life due to my neurodivergency.

I fluctuate between Nonhuman and Human, although am always on some level both, just other times are stronger for one and the other not so much, but overall I mostly refer to myself as just Nonhuman. My soul is a combination of all my ‘types, plus the intruding human soul of this life.

Please only refer to me as Nonhuman and Alterbeing, NOT as Human or Alterhuman.

I do not experience phantom shifts or any sort of shifts, but when I have in the past, it has only been once, very short (a few seconds), and partial. I experience loads of species dysphoria, envy, and sometimes euphoria, though.

I only have very poor gear, two homemade tails, and one mask, and am also currently working on wings. I’m hoping to get more materials to make better masks and tails for myself soon, though.

I do very poor quadrobics, but I adore doing them, especially when I can in public.

Fellow Physical Nonhumans/Alterbeings/Alterhumans, Non-Spiritual Nonhumans/Alterbeings/Alterhumans, and etc. are very welcome here.

I’m very queer. My gender is way too complex, but just imagine it as masculine, genderless, and animalistic, with lots of different aesthetics.

I use He/It/Rot/Void/Mutt/Pup/Teeth/Woof/Bone/Claw/Plant/🐾/🐺/🦝/🌿 pronouns + many more with those themes.

I’m AroAce, Aromantic and Myrsexual (Neuroasexual, Nebulasexual, Merosexual, Placiosexual, Dreadsexual, Acorsexual, Apothisexual, Bellussexual, Rosesexual, Requisexual, and Falsaesthsexual).

I’m Homoalterous (Gay/MLM), Omniqueerplatonic (preference for non-men), Panexteramo, Pansensual, and Panaesthetic.

I’m Ambiamorous with no preference. I’m heavy T4T-leaning. I’m also a Lesboy.

I’m undiagnosed/self-diagnosed (with research)(in the process of getting this all diagnosed) AuDHD, Pure O OCD, APD, SPD, RSD, BDD, ARFID, SAD, PTSD, Trichotillomania, Misophonia, and Dermatillomania.

I’m diagnosed MDD and GAD.

I’m undiagnosed (and in the process of getting it diagnosed as well) PMDD and/or PME.

SH and SI survivor, and in recovery.

I struggle with severe violent and ugly intrusive thoughts (due to my OCD), and have for years. Not as bad as it used to be, but still have some at least once a day.

I consider myself disabled due to my severe executive dysfunction that I’ve had for years, as well as for other reasons.

I also have severe imposter syndrome that I deal with 24/7.

I have special interests (Wings Of Fire, Harry Potter (I really love the marauders), Dragons, and Neurodivergency + Disabilities + Disorders), hyperfixations (current ones are nonhumanity and nonhuman gear), verbal shutdowns, shutdowns and meltdowns, am often in burnout, and mask quite a lot.

I’m in therapy, go every week, and love my therapist so much. /gen

Please use tone tags/indicators when talking to me. They are greatly helpful and appreciated. Thank you!

I’m taken by my lovely long distance mate, @itssiryapsalot @theremixedcreature.

I’m a minor (16-years-old).

I’m Agnostic, spiritual, and do not follow any God or Gods. I believe in past lives, fate, soulmates, twin flames, manifestation, the multiverse, the paranormal, witchcraft, and much more.

I’m a Reality Shifter and have shifted twice to parallel realities. (I’m a safe places for permashifters, respawners, and those who shift to realities where they’re a different race.)

I have one sibling (She/Her), @belles17 @fuckthisclubup. I love her loads, and yes, she is aware that I’m Nonhuman (and is totally chill with it).

My other Nonhuman accounts are: @sirius-the-lonely-angel and @malakaitheyappingwolf.

My Nonhuman Pinterest account is here.

More about me here.

I don’t feel like making a DNI, but my block button is my best friend, so get ready. Obviously, no anti-alterhumans, anti-furries, queerphobes, radqueers and radfems, TERFs, SWERFs, offending MAPs & Paraphiles & etc., sexists, racists, ableists (including those believe in “narcissistic abuse”), and etc. are allowed here. Also, those who are endo/non-traumagenic/etc. systems are safe here, so those against them can leave please.

Full credit to the original creators/owners of the dividers!!!

[toomuchdivergentformyneuro]

♬⃝ Introduction Post ♬⃝

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Hi there, Neurodivergent! I’m Rhysand (pronounced Reese-Sund), also called Rhys (pronounced Reese). I’m a Queer, Nonhuman, and Reality Shifting Neurodivergent. This blog was made for my Neurodivergency, my special interests and my hyperfixations, and everything else to do with my neurodivergency. There will be positive posts, silly posts, relatable posts, negative posts, and more here.

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About Me

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Neurodivergency

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I’m undiagnosed AuDHD (Autism + ADHD), ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), APD (Auditory Processing Disorder), SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), and Pure O OCD (“Purely Obsessional” Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), medically recognized (but undiagnosed) PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder), and diagnosed MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

I’m also undiagnosed BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), Trichotillomania (hair pulling/picking disorder), Excoriation Disorder (skin picking disorder), and Misophonia.

I’m undiagnosed PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and/or PME (Premenstrual Exacerbation), and hopefully soon can be diagnosed.

Questioning POTS, HSD or EDS/hEDS. (NOT claiming to have this or self-diagnosed as of yet, I am still doing research, but I do have lots of signs that point to these things.)

My special interests are Wings Of Fire, Harry Potter, Dragons in general, and Neurodivergency.

I have no current hyperfixations that I’ve noticed, and I’m extremely low on dopamine because of it. /silly /srs

I have verbal shutdowns, shutdowns and meltdowns in general, I mask without realizing it a lot, and I’m usually in burnout. I also have severe imposter syndrome that I deal with literally 24/7.

Tone tags are very much appreciated when talking to me, so PLEASE use them! If you aren’t sure what they are or what they mean or how to use them, please just ask and I will happily let you know! <3 /gen

I used to cope by using maladaptive daydreaming, so I relate a lot to maladaptive daydreamers a lot.

I struggle with violent and horrible intrusive thoughts (due to my OCD) and have for years now since I was a kid.

I have lots of trauma, both remembered and not remembered, so beware.

I’m a SI and SH survivor and in recovery.

Little banner my friend ( @/lavenderkittycat ) made me:

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Queerness

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I’m a bit of a gender hoarder, but I don’t use that as my label. I usually call myself a Genderfluid Genderflux Non-Binary TransGuy, but just think of me as a mash of all the genders I experience.

Currently, I don’t know what gender I’m feeling.

I use He/It/They/Xe/Ne/Ze/Love/Wolf/Star/Moon/🌙/Sun pronouns + any/all neopronouns, nounself pronouns, xenopronouns, and emojiself pronouns. Basically, everything EXCEPT She/Her.

I’m AroAce, Aromantic and Myrsexual (Neuroasexual, Nebulasexual, Dreadsexual, Acorsexual, Apothisexual, Falsaesthsexual, Bellussexual, Rosesexual, Requiesexual, Placiosexual, and Merosexual), and I’m Homoalterous, Omniqueerplatonic, Panexteramo, Pansensual, and Panaesthetic.

I’m Ambiamorous with no preference.

I’m also a Lesboy and T4T-leaning.

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Nonhumanity

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I’m a Polytherian, Otherkin, Otherfix, Otherhearted, and a Fictionflicker.

I have a Vancouver Coastal Sea Wolf Theriotype, a Red Fox Theriotype, Nurse Shark Theriotype, Snow Leopard, Norwegian Forest Cat, Maned Wolf Theriotype, Coyote Theriotype, Side-Striped Jackal Theriotype, and a Canada Lynx Theriotype.

I have a Fiction Kintype (Dark Fey, Forest Type, from the Maleficent movies), a Dragon Kintype (SeaWing/SilkWing hybrid), another Dragon Kintype (Night-Light Fury hybrid), Angel, Silver Fox, Avian (humanoid with wings and tail) and a Raccoon.

I’ve had Fictotypes for Hylian, an OC species of mine, Orphinki, Sable, and Owl (all).

I have a Whale Shark Hearttype.

I’m transspecies, humanfluid, pseudohuman, sunnonhuman, and voidpunk.

I fluctuate between Nonhuman and Human, although am always on some level both, just other times are stronger for one and the other not so much, but I refer to myself overall as just Nonhuman. My soul is a combination of human and nonhuman.

All of my Nonhumanity is due to a combination of Past Lives, Fate, and Neurodivergency. I believe I was all my ‘types in past lives, and only found out about it in this life due to my neurodivergency.

I’ve been awakened for only a few months now. I want gear, but I don’t have any right now. I’m making my own wings currently, and I hope to have them done soon if my ADHD brain will allow me.

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Reality Shifting

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I’m a Reality Shifter, which means I move my consciousness from one reality into another one.

I do believe in the multiverse.

I’ve known about reality shifting since around 2020 or 2021, and started my journey then.

I spent a lot of my time trying to shift, even though I didn’t have the proper mindset or knowledge to shift.

I took a huge break after trying for only a month or so, only trying to shift occasionally.

I’ve come back to it in 2024 after finding shiftblr, having more knowledge, a better mindset, and more motivation.

I’ve shifted once to a parallel reality, where I relived/redid a day.

I have way too many DRs to count, and I’m thinking about permashifting to my Better CR DR.

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Links

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@rhysandshiftingthespectrum - My account for my experience with Neurodivergent Reality Shifting, pretty active on there

@neurodivergentshiftingcultureis - My ask account for Neurodivergent Shifting Culture, pretty active on there

@theverynothumankai - My main Nonhuman account for everything Nonhuman, active

@malakaitheyappingwolf - My account for my Vancouver Coastal Sea Wolf theriotype, active

My Tagging System

My Queer Labels

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Other

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I’m taken by my amazing boyfriend ( @itssiryapsalot ), and he’s also neurodivergent, nonhuman, queer, and a reality shifter! (And a lot more, too!)

I’m Agnostic, slightly spiritual, and very respectful and interested in others’ religions. (Although, I do have negative experiences/trauma with Christian and God/Jesus Christ focused religions, and if your blog is heavy with that, I would prefer if you didn’t interact with me! Thank you!)

I’m celiac, have a dairy intolerance, have a dust allergy, pollen allergies, and probably some more that we aren’t too sure about yet! Basically, my nose is constantly stuffy and I have to be careful what I eat.

I have a few hobbies that I’m learning to be involved in again, because they make me happy and I’ve kinda lost touch with them. They are: drawing, writing, painting, coloring, reading, and more.

I stand with Palestine.

I’m pro non-offending p@raph!les and etc., who are in recovery/getting help.

I love receiving and answering asks, so always feel free/unafraid to send one in for infodumping, questions, or anything else! <3 /gen /pos

Let it be known that any and all kinds of neurodivergents are welcome here. Diagnosed, undiagnosed, self-diagnosed (with lots of research, of course). Autistic, ADHD, ANY kind of personality disorder, ANY cluster A disorders, ANY cluster B disorders, ANY cluster C disorders, ANY other unspecified personality disorders, ANY kind of any disorder, those with anxiety, those with depression, ANY AND ALL OF YA!

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DNI

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(I’ve just copied this from my other account’s DNI list and pasted it here, so that’s why there isn’t much/any difference to it.)

Any queerphobes (including those against intersex, mspec lesbians and gays, lesboys, turigirls, gaybians, etc., just basically any contradictory label), Radqueers, TERFs, SWERFs, racists, sexists, proshippers, those who sexualize age-regressors and pet-regressors, ableists (including those who demonize personality disorders), those against physical alterhumans, those against furries, offending MAPs and P@raph!les + supporters, pro-ED, pro-SH, pro-SI, those who romanticize any sort of mental illness, neurodivergency, and/or disability, anti-shifters, those against permashifters, respawners, and race-changers, those against endogenic/non-traumagenic/etc. or mixed origins or unknown origins systems, those against people who self-diagnose after research/with research, those against Palestine, those who’s blogs are Christian or God/Jesus Christ themed heavy (nothing against y’all, just have trauma with it), those who directly send NSFW stuff towards me, those who can’t respect boundaries, JK Rowling supporters, and just about anybody else that makes me uncomfortable. I will block incredibly freely, so beware.

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[animal-families-tournaments]

[wolfboyzsworld]

my belief on why i am therian/nonhuman

(REMEMBER JUST MY OWN TJEORY)

I beleive in past lives 100% and i definately think ive had a past life strongly connected to this, personally i believe that all your lives are what affect your soul as a living being, i think ive had more nonhuman past lives than any human which has made my soul feel wrong living a human life right now? im not sure if this is making sense but its making sense to me.. the past life/lives that i think have affect my current rn are where ive lived in a canine body, rn i am qurstioning if i have multiple theriotypes or just the one Side Striped Jackal, but it definetly doesnt feel like its the only animalistic part of me. I think that you can also be influenced by the animals around you!! theres the chances i have had a feline past life but i dont feel as connected to, i think i have a stronger connection to canines because i grew up around them and learning more abt them constantly! which had made it easier for me to understand my therianthropy. obviously this is all just a theory and i guess theres no 100% definition of how someone is a therian but this is what i think! I love hearing other nonhumans theorys and beleifs i always appreciate the communication in online therian communities!! ofc there could be holes and everything in my theory this to me is just my belief and you will probably think smth different!! (could be an important mention) ive never been in a stable mental state even from a young age and even now i still dont fully understand everything going on with me mentally but this could also be an influence on how i am nonhuman, i dont feel certain on this but i do think its possible for my mentally state and how ive felt to lead me away from feeling like i fit with humans driving me to make a stronger connection with canines which like i said feeling a connection to those of them around me helped me understand that i am infact nonhuman at a young age (i assumed everyone felt this way until i realised it was a nonhuman thing) ANYWAYS THIS PROBABLY MAKES 0 SENSE AND IVE JUST BEEN TYPING FOR AGES!!! LMK WHAT U THINK AND UR THEORYS AND BELIEFS!!! :>

[weirdozjunkary]

I did another fic in the PIB AU. This time of the infamous panic attack scene. It’s fairly long, but not the longest I’ve ever written

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KA- FWEEEW!!!

A spectactical aray of confetti bursted from the baker inspo the air. Sonic splat, the confetti clinging to himself. At any other time, this cluster of colourful paper adorned with a cute party horn would’ve been cheerful, but now it seemed more gruesome.

“BLEGH! What?!”

“OHOHO! So that’s what they do!” Ivo cheered. He was already aiming up another shot. Unicorn horns are deadly. “Cool!”

“NO! ITS NOT COOL!” The iridecent beatle shouted, appalled at the doctors amazement by this spread of colourful destruction.

Another horn stuck into a bakers side. “AUGHYOU SHOT ME-“

KA-FWEEEW!!!

Another explosion right in the hedgehogs face. He sneezed at the dust and confetti in the air. “Ugh! The sight is off!” He heard ivo groan. And just as he could stop himself from sneezing, Sonic was hoisted up by his bandana.

“I got him mister Horner!” Another horn stuck into the bakers side.

“MY BAD!”

“Oh no.”

KA-BLAM!!

Silence. Only accompanied by a faint growing ringing through the hedgehogs ears as he flew through the air slowly. It didn’t stop till he tumbled against the ground, his bandana untying itself from his throat. There, just within arms reach, it was the map. It had fallen out of his grasp through the explosion. And as the world around him moved by in slow motion, he propped up on a knee and reached out a hand to it.

He froze. That sound. That sharp and sickening melody that made his hair stand up on end and his stomach twist violently. He could hear it. Just a few feet behind him.

He gasped out air from his lungs. Hoping to god that when his eyes drifted from the map behind him that he wouldn’t see what he dreaded to see. But once his body was fully turned around. As his heart pounded in his ears and his lungs felt tight and empty. He could see it. That jackal. Unsheathing his sickles from his dark cloak. Staring at him with his vibrant eyes.

He is here. HOW is he here? The last time he saw him was running from Ivo Horner’s bakery. And still, those eyes, so glassy but vibrant like marbles. They pierced frozen daggers into his. It made them ache.

His body moved before his brain caught up. His heart raced in his ears, pounding so hard his chest hurtt. His lungs were on fire as he wheezed while he ran. Ran away. Ran far. Ran fast. Just get away from this fucking maniac!!!

“Sonic? SONIC! WAIT!” Tails shouted, grabbing his fallen bandana and chasing after him.

“Tails?” Shadow puzzled. He took his eyes off of the map for a second. Just enough for the face of a large hammer to whack him away.

“Thanks for the map, Stripes!” Amy gawked as she laid her eyes on the map she snatched up from the ground. It sparkled and shimmered. Changing the scenery on it and then the world around them. The ground broke and shifted, sending cliffs and pine trees high into the air.

“NO!” Both Shadow and Ivo shouted in anger at the group that ascended higher into the air.

“HEY! You’ve just been crimed by the Chaotix Crime family!” The young bee shouted.

“So long, you plonkers!” Amy added and left with the rest of them. Projectiles flying past them as they ran into the newly formed forest behind.

“!LOS VOY HACER A TODOS ALFOMBRAS DE BAÑO!” Shadow angrily shouted. He kicked the ground and bared his teeth in frustration. “GRAGH!!! SONIC!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

His legs could barely keep him standing. The only reason why he didn’t fall over yet was the proper yak motion of his legs keeping him going forward. His footsteps were heavy and sporadic, so was his breathing. He heaved with each step, each movement of his arms. His eyes darting around the dark forest. He could’ve sworn he saw him. His face. His eyes. Him. The one trying to take his life.

“SONIC! SONIC!” The twin tailed fox cried out with worry. Where could he have gone?

There. He was at the base of a tree. Huffing and heaving as his eyes continued to dart around in front of him. That hunter is near. He’s just waiting to pounce. Waiting to strike. He’s here. He has to be.

“Sonic! Sonic! Are you okay? What’s wrong?!”

Tails’ voice fell deaf on Sonic’ ears. He huffed and wheezed with tears in his eyes. He was waiting for him, the jackal. The moment for him to strike. He didn’t know if Tails was truly there or not. And Tails. This boy was so worried for his friend. He felt helpless. Moreso Sonic to Tails.

But, he looked at Sonic’s face. The pure terror and panic in his eyes. And almost as if he had done this before, he rested his head against his chest. He could feel it, hear it. His heartbeat so fast and loud. A sporadic rhythm that pounded so hard that it could leap right out of his chest.

But as Tails laid there, his eyes shut and an arm wrapped over the hedgehog, he felt a hand lay gently on his head, and the hedgehog’s heart and breathing slow. He didn’t move, didn’t flinch, didn’t even open his eyes. He just laid there as Sonic pet him. He only looked at him once he heard him huff out a sigh.

“Thank you, Tails.” He said.

“What’s going on with you, Sonic?”

Sonic stammered and looked away. He couldn’t look this sweet boy in the face. Not to tell him what’s really been going on. Why he decided to pursue this star. What his wish truly was. “I… I am down to my last life. And I…” He gulped down a hard lump. “I am afraid.”

“Well, it’s okay to be afraid.”

“No! Not for Sonic the Hedgehog! I’m supposed to be a fearless hero. A legend.” He slumped further down the base of the tree. “But without any lives to spare. I am… nothing.” He shot up and clenched a determined fist. “I need that wish to get my lives back!”

“You should tell Shadow, then. He would understand-“

“No no no! He can’t hear none of this stuff!” Sonic said as he put a hand over the fox’s mouth briefly to silence him.

“Okay?”

What neither of them knew, was not far behind them was the black hedgehog, slicing through the prickled grass. “¿Adónde fueron ese idiota y su zorro?” He muttered to himself. His ears shot up once he could hear the blue hedgehog.

“Shadow will never trust me again. Not after Santa Coloma.”

“But that was just one bad heist.”

“Santa Coloma wasn’t a heist, Tails. It was a church. With a priest and guests… and Shadow.” He reminisced back to that day. A sour feeling painfully waved over his chest. “Everything but me. I ran away then too.”

“Oh...” Tails responded, letting his mind wander a little. “Oh.” He finally gasped in shock once the realization hit him. “OH! You left him at the altar?”

“It was wrong, I know. I’m ashamed of it.” He sighed. “I just wish I hadn’t hurt ‘em so badly. I regret that day a lot.”

“So… maybe you should tell that to Shadow. It might make you feel better about it. It might make him feel better about it, too.”

Shadow stood behind the tree, arms crossed and a look of uncertainty clearly on his face. Of course Sonic wouldn’t have said this to his face, his pride was too fragile to admit defeat. But, something about what he said, perhaps the tone or what have you. It felt genuine, though full of sadness and melancholy.

He had been running all his life, both of them. Running from enemies, from friends, loved ones, eachother. Running out of fear. Fear of being betrayed, of being hurt again. He was like him, even if they didn’t know the extent of it— of each other— they both were running. Maybe. Maybe they don’t need to run.

“Sonic! Fox!” Shadow called as he came into their view. “There you two are. What the hell happened?”

“S-Shadow!” Sonic stammered and stood up, finally tying his bandana back on. “I-uh- I lost the map. I messed up.”

“We’ll get it back, don’t worry. We’ve been in worse prickles.”

“WHAT?! Who told you that name?!” Sonic shouted, only to receive a confused look from shadow.

“…What name?”

“Uh… n-nothing!”

[antiqueanimals]

Brehm's Tierleben. Written by Alfred Brehm. Illustration by Gustav Mützel. 1900 edition.

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