"Burning" [TSS srp]

Instructions

Russet'Ruby getting... mentally/physically unwell ~~ Russet'Ruby was laying down, spread out next to the oasis. He was panting. It was getting hotter and hotter every day, it felt like. He probably needed to get to Celest. But where was he, actually? The fox didn't know what to do. He needed to get a message to Celest. He sniffed and started cleaning his already partially over-cleaned fur, trying to cool off. The spikes on his back were drooping. He didn't pay them any mind. But he knew he should go to a medic. He had to go. He got up, before falling over, grunting. He closed his eyes, and then when he opened then again, it was dark. Did he pass out? How much time had passed? And then he smelled a familiar scent. Was that Celestial'Ruby? His kith? He lifted his head. "Kit..?" Russet asked, his voice quiet. Celest was sprinting towards him, worried. He looked at his kith with happiness. He started purring when Celest was right next to him. "Kit! Hey! How's everything going?" Celestial'Ruby narrowed his eyes. "Blizzard!! What are you doing?! You're-" "I'm fine, Kit! Tell me about your day." He said happily. The heat was really messing with him. "Blizzard, no! You're not fine! You're practically burning up!" Celest put a paw to the older icecat's head. He /was/ burning up. Fever, probably. He shook his head. "No, I'm not leaving until you cool off. Come back to the clan with me! You'll feel better." Ruso giggled, amused. "Oh, Kit. You know I can't go back! Aurora-Quartz'Star is still ruling the clan." Yeah. The heat really was affecting him. "No- Blizzard, the rock eater is dead. You're overheating. Get in the water, you'll feel better." Celestial'Ruby demanded, knowing there was no reasoning with him at this point. Ruby snorted. "I'm fine, Kit. But okay, I'll get in the water if you want me to." He said happily, getting up on shaky legs and stepping into the oasis. It was clear Russet hadn't hunted for himself in a while. And the thick fur was trapping heat. But Celest needed to keep Russet cool, long enough so he can hopefully drag him back home. Later that night, Russet slept peacefully in the den. Celest refused to leave, wanting to care for his caretaker. Ruso was happily dreaming about being an Arctic fox jumping around in the snow on the glacier. What really worried Celest was that Ruso didn't even think he was sick. Russet had sometimes talked about the things he's seen when he was overheating, but he didn't think it'd get /this/ bad.. Something had to be done.