SULLY'S MUSICAL GRIAN ONESHOTS!! ✨

The Hand That Feeds

bottom of the river but make it ren

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--

They trek through the day, a deep fear and sadness prevalent in the shades of color that are their eyes. At every other corner, papers of propaganda and harsh chatter drill the emotions into their skull, a constant chorus of malicious words and even sharper laws.

This, my friends, is the life of The Pack of Adventuraria.

Adventuraria is notorious for its strong anti-hybrid legislation, referred to as the Boomer of modern towns. It's a sleepy place, covered in old plants and even older buildings. The only passion to be found is in the peoples; their hate burns stronger than the wildfires that often plague the surrounding areas.

In general, a deep gloom seems to surround the area- even when the air is clear, there's the feeling of a tight throat. A clogged chest. Perhaps only Ren sees it, feels it, but it is there. Smoke from the fire in the twisted's hearts, ruining the air of the spirits.

It appears the only way to escape the choked feeling was the woods. Deep in the darkness, through curved and bent trees, was a clearing. Like tonight, the clearing opened fully for the crowning moon- it's silvery light bathing all of The Pack, calling to them with a gentle tone.

So, they answer. Loud howls pierce the night, scattering birds, striking fear in the hearts of the few who may hear the cacophony. It's their night, to be free, to be wild. Ears quiver and tails wag with ferocious speed, and the sound continues until the first bits of yellow-grey mark dawn. Then they run, paws hitting the ground and crushing leaf-litter underneath, following the worn and hidden trail towards the village.

As soon as the run was over, Ren felt the familiar smoke clog his lungs as his paws, his tails, he disappeared- fading into an average village boy. It was like loosing apart of himself; brutal and sharp. Harsh against a fading heart.

With a sigh, Ren followed his father- a kind, patient man. The only person Ren really has. It was a tough life, but it was the one he lived.

He crashed through school the next day. Everyone adored Ren- his easygoing attitude and natural curiosity. Not only that, but- fuck, he was hot. Ren breezed through school, chatting and reading and excitedly dashing to kick a ball during soccer.

And everytime, he wanted to flick an ear or wag his tail or gallop infront of the others on his paws. And everytime, he would be reminded of the terrible smoke that crowded his lungs and forced wheezing breaths of the soul.

Whenever this happened, Ren asked why they were here. Why not any other place?

His father would always answer with a story.

(My Papa was a howlin' man)

I remember it clearly; You were 5. News came out of a.. incident. Something called Yandere Preschool.

I watched that case for weeks.

(Traded in his youth,)

I waited for the police to do something, anything- the abuse endured, created by those kids...

They didn't.

(He sold his dreams, and all of his days)

I couldn't stay there, not when you were so close to some of the victims ages.

So we left.

(FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN RUSE)

Then Ren would nod and frown.

He still didn't get an answer.

Why. Here. Why this place, tormented by an ever growing smoke? By the wildfires of hate?

The rest of the evening would be silent.  Many more would follow, years would pass as Ren grows and learns the culture of his kind.

Ren's father wasn't there when he arrived home. He waited and waited, until finally, the man came in. His tail wagged and he looked up, ears alert and eyes excited, as the man doubled over and panted.

"Ok, Diggity Dog.. you need to go, ok? Yes? Take the trail. Be careful.."

"Huh?"

There was a knock on their old, spruce door. Ren glanced at it.

"Ren, I made some mistakes. I've been found, but you can still escape. They won't think of you, until it's too late!"

"What?"

"Ren. Go."

Ren stumbled backwards towards the backdoor, looking at his father. He nodded, just as the door was forcefully opened. Ren yelled as the police stormed in, diving through the backdoor and into the forest.

His hand turned to paws, face to snout, pelt shining brown in the light. The ground crunched and stung, sharp rocks and twigs littering the forest floor. Ren could hear shouts as he ran, leaping a dark log and heading towards the clearing.

In his confused state, Ren didn't think where he was going, or that the smoke was lingering in his lungs, or that something had happened to his father. Instead, only the burn of exertion followed Ren as he charged through the woods, pausing in the clearing to catch a breath.

That was bad idea.

The next thing Ren saw was a foot, and darkness closed in on him.

--

He awoke in a chair.

It's cold, steel. The whole room is a dark, metallic steel that glistens only by the tiny lightbulb hanging above the little table infront of him. Ren made a distressed wolf-noise, looking around with fear in his eyes.

Someone entered. Ren recognized him as the police, a harsh and large man. Ren growled, snapping his teeth as the person sat down.

"Hello, Ren. I know you're in a harsh position right here, but we can let you free! we just need to know a few names of-"

Ren slightly lunged forward. He'd heard the sweet talking many atime. They wouldn't let him free, they would slaughter him and anyone he gives up. Ren needs to escape. He needs to leave this town of smoke and gloom, of fire and ice.

Ren narrowed his eyes.

He was done with the hiding, with the smoke and the fear and the sadness.

The next minute was blurry and dramatic. The chair was thrown and dented, metal against metal screaming out. Ren's paws tore through something, moving towards the metal doors and trying to rip it down.

Then, a CRASH.

--

Ren was running again, ears flat as he bolted over the land. He didn't have a destination, he didn't have fear. Paws hitting the ground, Ren travels for hours until he comes across a cliff, sliding to a stop infront of it.

The wind was harsh and pure, whipping his fur as he looked over at the rolling canyons of the server, bright blue strands marking wide rivers that surely spanned miles. Patches of flowers in dips and valleys, and rainbows cast over the desert like area. 

It was the only way to the Hub, an elusive thing Ren had only heard of in whispers.

It was his only escape, to true freedom.

For once in his life, without the linger of smoke or fear, Ren howled. He howled for his Pack, for the other Packs just like his.

Then he stood up, adjusting his outfit, eyes scanning the terrain for the trail. It appears soon, a dusty path down deep into the canyons. So he takes those first few steps, away from the wretched forest and into a whole new world..

--

im sorry, my writing quality is just.. descending. i think its the plot

idk

sob

(also its now my hc that ren meets tango on the way to the hub, and that he became king bc he wanted to prevent a repeat of his village although that would never happen :>)