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Sheep were social creatures. The flock meant safety, traveling in groups, growing up together, sharing wisdom and stories and laughter. Thats what Lamb was meant to grow up around. It’s what instinct called for deep within them.
Having the cult helped, all their local followers milling around the camp, dancing and laughing, occasionally coming up to Lamb with requests and compliments. It was nice, but it wasn't perfect.
Disagreements rose often with even the slightest faltering of their divinity. A couple failed crusades and dissenters tended to pop up and cause trouble. It wasn’t the unconditional love a flock was meant to provide.
Lamb had to work to keep their followers adoring them. Which was expected given their role in this community but it still made that feeling deep inside them ache.
Perhaps that's why in their spare moments they found themselves traveling to the Spore Grotto more often.
The mushroom folks there treated them well enough, but Sozo treated them like a friend. Beaming from his books at the sight of Lamb walking into their area under the massive skull that laid in the center of the Grotto.
“Lamb!! You’re back! Sozo is overjoyed! Come look at these notes, Sozo made some progress on his research! Come come please sit!”
It was easy for Lamb to saddle up next to him and listen to Sozo talk so passionately about his interests. His research meant the world to him. These mushrooms and their properties were his white whale. He needed to learn every secret they held.
Lamb would point at the pages they found most interesting and Sozo would elaborate on them. Pointing out key things on the page and explaining them in detail.
They didn't know so much about mushrooms before becoming friends with Sozo.
Halfway through their meetings Sozo would end up picking Lamb up and placing them in his lap in order to show off his sketches. Which ranged from dissected mushrooms to various fauna that consumed them regularly.
His skills were impressive and Lamb would point to the ones they liked the most which made Sozo grin and shift happily in his seat, a pair of arms wrapping gently around Lambs torso.
Lamb could always feel the strength in those arms of his, lean muscle that felt powerful even though Lamb was being treated so gently. And the fluff around their head when they were pulled flush with the ant’s body. It was so soft, silky and lighter then their wool. Lamb wanted to bury their face in it but always opted not to.
Sozo would pet their wool, running his fingers through it as he set the book aside and would talk about his day. Voice dropping to a mumble as they both settled in. Taking in each others warmth and presence.
It made Lamb wonder if Sozo had a community of his own that he missed. Other ants like him with their own interests who would hold each other during calm times.
Perhaps that was the case since they both took so much comfort in one another. Each quietly holding onto one another, each counting the heartbeats of their companion.
This remained a habit for weeks, until one day Sozo took it a step forward and placed a kiss upon Lambs fluffy head, just behind their ear.
From then on, their evenings were filled with more then just talks of research. Lamb would caress the fluff on his neck and pepper his cheeks with kisses. While Sozo would scoop Lamb up into his arms and nuzzle their wool. Holding them close.
It was always painful for Lamb to say goodbye. But they always promised to return soon after sating the needs of their followers. Sozo always understood, his own followers had needs too.
They would always come back to one another soon though to do it all again. Loving each other unconditionally. Two previously lonely souls united in their companionship.
Sozo would be Lamb’s flock. Forever more.