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The day it happened had started off as a casual monday. Mundane. Boring. Perhaps too normal. Suspiciously normal.
Epel had been sitting under a tree, munching on an apple. A sweet one. Sweeter than the apples he often ate.
He was content. Quiet. Calm. Maybe not that calm, as he was actively avoiding his Housewarden.
And then—he heard shuffling from the bush beside himself. He shot up, and threw his half-finished apple at the intruder. But as he was about to confront the stranger—a squeak sounded from beneath. Pained. Troubled.
So, she sat on the ground once more. He held out his hands. His violet hair swayed with the gentle wind, a painful reminder. The bush moved once more—before parting to reveal a yellow hedgehog.
Epel drifted his gaze downward, meeting the hedgehog's. It looked devastated, with its beady blue eyes more than enough to gain sympathy. It lowered its gaze, and whimpered in pain.
He carefully picked it up—then just as quickly set it down, due to its protests.
But, what he didn't expect was for the hedgehog to cry out the moment it made contact with the ground.
Epel panicked. He tried to think of a solution. Weighing his options, he settled on picking it back up and petting its little head.
The hedgehog happily complied. It even leaned into Epel's touch. Surprisingly soft. Unexpectedly friendly for a hedgehog.
And then—
—he noticed.
It wasn't that the hedgehog was touch-averse. In fact, it seemed to enjoy contact. But rather—
The little thing's leg was wounded. Crimson pain seeping through its skin.
Epel hurriedly took off his tie, which he always kept tucked under his vest. Carefully, gently, to the best of his ability—he wrapped the tie around its leg.
The mood shifted suddenly.
The hedgehog beamed.
As if thanking him—it chirped adorably.
Epel kept petting the creature's head. Light pink, which was a contrast to its blue body. Still though, it was extremely soft.
That day, he saved a soul.
Made a friend.
It wasn't just an act of kindness—it was an act of trust.
Epel was certainly not opposed to seeing the tiny creature again. He wasn't prideful that he had saved it. Everyone would. He was pleased to have made a friend. And honestly? He'd do it a thousand more times.