My pic entry for demon-rebirth's and desolatelands DTA round! (on DA)

This is an Outcast Alurik, he has no clan and is completely and utterly shunned by Alurik society.
Got himself beat up for his non-Alurik beliefs, poor guy.

See that little critter in his claws? The one gently nuzzling his muzzle? That's Fayce, she's a Ravyg, but not just ANY ol' Ravyg, she is the First Queen and protector of ALL Ravyg! She is showing her silent appreciation for this brave boy's actions on behalf of some of her species when she wasn't around.

Here's what happened:

One day, Kaskal was wondering through a field of wild flowers, minding his own business and bothering no one, when he happened upon a clutch of Ravyg eggs in the shallows of a stream that ran through the meadow. Now normally, an Alurik finding something like this would bode badly for the nest, Ravyg eggs are a very sweet treat indeed, but Kaskal had learned early in his youth that he was not like other Aluriks, he liked watching the eggs change color and hatch into the tiny black critters that would one day grow and change to match their respective shells.It fascinated him! He was entranced! And with the patience born of long suffering, Kaskal hunkered down to watch over and protect the nest. The mother was no where to be seen, and Kaskal knew it was because of his presence, but he also knew that the eggs were near to hatching, so his proximity until they hatched would not be detrimental to their well being.

Three days he waited, silent and immovable as a mountain. The first egg began to rock! And then another and another! Suddenly, Kaskals fur stood on end as he smelled another Alurik approaching. It was a female, she was in heat, and she was in a VERY poor mood..Kaskal knew that if she found him, or the eggs, that it was very likely none of them would survive the encounter.

With bravery, uncharacteristic of the male of his species in the face of a rampaging female, he stood over the hatching Ravyg eggs and faced the oncoming storm.

The female spotted his movements instantly and roared at him, charging. When he did not cower and back away, it infuriated her further, she snarled, struck him hard in the head with one great claw and bit him hard on one shoulder. The force of her attack smashed Kaskal's head against a rock, shattering his left horn painfully. He cried out in pain, but his feet remained firmly rooted in the muddy sand, protecting the eggs as if he were father of the brood.

The female thrashed him around several more times, then tired of her game and moved on. Kaskal stood, dripping blood into the water as the tiny Ravyg babies emerged from their shells and swam around his clawed feet fearlessly. No one can accuse Ravyg of lacking intelligence. Even just out of the egg, this brood understood what the larger creature had done for them.

The mother of the babies finally showed herself, displaying the gentle blues and greens of sympathy and thanks. Kaskal had no idea what the beautiful colors on her head frills meant, but he was mesmerized, having only ever seen the pink and orange of alarm and fear before. No translation was required however when the little creature approached him and gently rubbed the top of her head against one of the wounds on his legs.

Several more Ravyg came out of the tall grass, some holding antiseptic leaves between their front paws and walking upright, another scene Kaskal had never witnessed before. The tiny beasties applied the leaves to the worst of his wounds and tended to his other ills with obvious gentleness and love. After the babies had been moved from beneath him, Kaskal laid down in the cool water of the stream and watched in wonder as the dozen or so adult Ravyg cared for him.

He fell asleep under their tender ministrations...

Art, Ravyg, story and (character?) (C)  thefern
Aluriks (C) demon-rebirth On DA