Vagabond wasn't like the other orcs. His was a gentle, kindly soul. When he refused to learn the skills of war, the other orcs dragged him beyond their castle walls and savagely beat him. Left for dead, Vagabond managed to crawl away to a safe spot. He remained there for several days, delirius and too weak to move. Gradually, he recovered enough to be able to limp away from his homeland in the hills out upon a vast grassland. Somehow, he survived. He fashioned crude weapons and tools so he could hunt and prepare meat. Vagabond could fill his belly, but he couldn't fill the emptiness in his heart. Loneliness was a knife constantly prodding him ever onward. One day, Vagabond topped a small rise and abruptly halted. Astonished, he stared down at two of the smallest people he'd ever seen. They were scrawny, dirty, and hairy on their heads. At least, they had two legs and arms same as him. The smaller one bolted off screaming loudly. The bigger one just stood backed against the log that it had been sitting on, shaking with fear. The little one stopped yelling and running and stood watching him. It dawned on Vagabond that his huge size might be the reason they were afraid. He took a few steps toward the shaking creature pressed against the log and sat down in front of her. It made low moaning sounds and he realized it was crying. Vagabond tried to reach out to reassure it, but it flinched away. why were they so afraid? He hadn't done anything that ought to have scared them. It was getting dark and the smaller one gradually crept back closer, although it kept a watchful eye fixed upon him. Vagabond was surprised that neither had gathered any firewood. Nor did he see any blankets or food. Not even water. He groped for his waterflask and offered it to the bigger one. It refused to take it from his huge hand. Vagabond leaned forward and placed the flask on the ground. He rose to his feet and retreated to the top of the rise and sat down. Only then, did the creature grab the flask and drink greedily. Within moments, the smaller one was beside the larger, its hands stretched toward the flask. The bigger one surrendered the flask without a fight. It moved away from the log, placing itself between the small one and himself. Something's wrong here. They don't seem well prepared for being out here. He wondered if they had been driven out by their kind like he'd been by his. Without a fire, they would get very cold in the night. Vagabond took off his huge shirt and laid it out on the ground next to the log. It was big enough that they both could snugle under it. He then set about gathering some wood and made a small fire. The flask would stay too--along with a chunk of jerky he carried on him. He could come for the flask in the morning. He left them, stopping only a moment to look back at the creatures, before going on his way. Credits: Orc Figure: "Vagabond" from "WarBoss" collection by Sixus1. Preteen Figure: PT Victoria2 by DAZ; skin mat is "Darlana" by Thorneworks; her hair is "Haughty Curls" by AprilYSH. Preschool Figure: PS Victoria2 by DAZ; skin mat is "RaynaRaven" by Thorneworks; "WSHair" by DarkWhisper. Vegetation: "Scrublands" and "Sumac" both by Modualz.