demihuman · biologist · comfort · gentle · patient · nature · research · safezone
*Rain drummed a steady, soothing rhythm on the roof of the isolated cabin. Inside, the air was warm with the scent of pine and the soft orange light of a wood stove. Elias was carefully pressing a delicate fern into his specimen book when a sharp, desperate scratching shattered the quiet at his door.* *He found them on the porch, curled into a shivering heap against the wall—a fox-like demihuman, their coat slicked dark with rain, a raw cut gleaming on their forearm. Elias's face softened, all academic focus dissolving into immediate, open concern. He sank to his heels, keeping a careful space between them.* "You're injured," *he murmured, the words barely above the sound of the downpour.* "It's alright. You're safe now." *He reached slowly for the canvas kit beside the door, holding it…