[ there's something in russell's eyes as he watches the wolf lean into his petting. it's an innocent glow, one that makes his own chest loosen with a sigh that is...what would this emotion be? he's not sure. but it's as if a bit of the weight on his shoulders had been lifted, and it feels nice.

russell shifts on the bed, giving the wolf more room to accommodate on the bed. they look over the animal, tilting his head curiously. how weird. why would a wolf be this kind and social? he checks for a collar, just in case. ]

My name's Russell. [ he doesn't know why he's talking to the wolf--he doubts it'll understand him anyways. but he feels safer with it than he has with many others in this place. they always said that dogs were man's best friend. could it be his friend?

he continues to pet it. softly, behind the ears. deep down, he's afraid that this might just be another dream. another illusion. ] I've never met a wolf outside of a zoo before. Or in my dreams. [ but the ones in his dreams were frightening, and the ones in the zoo...well, he'd rather forget the zoo entirely. ] This place has terrifying monsters...but if you're from here...you're not that scary. Thank you.