Whitefish River If that’s all/everything/more

@Grayday, but as always, anyone is welcome. ^^ Set about five hours after this thread, in the area between Silvertip and Blacktail Deer Plateau.

Asterr had continued.

Despite the beings that she'd seen, and the exchanges that she'd been met with, the girl had continued. A location that spoke to her had yet to be reached, and so her journey was not yet ready to be concluded. Still, she couldn't help but feel homesick, longing for the lair and a particular male that lived within it. She did not turn back, however, shaking the thoughts from her head and then locking them away in the back of her mind. For as long as she did not think of home, she would not crave to be within it, allowing for her to travel without her heart aching after each and every step. She'd focused on other things, such as the river that she'd been walking along, sometimes spotting a fish that had been brave enough to break the surface, but otherwise enjoying the peaceful silence. Alone had she made herself, but she knew it to be for the best. She could not have nature upsetting the balance that she'd established within the cavern, especially when such an event was easily preventable—just as long as she was beyond her claim for the time being, everything would remain just as it was meant to be.

With journeys, there came weariness, and she'd felt herself growing exhausted after having been traveling for some time without enough of stops in between. When her stomach had finally rumbled, she'd settled down along the river's edge, gazing down into the water as her eyes roamed over its surface. During the famine, she'd grown accustomed to fishing, but hadn't perfected the technique. Still, she knew enough to stand a chance at catching something, and so she'd stayed there, perfectly still and watching in wait.

Though he'd never again be good at hunting smaller game, Day thought he might still be mediocre, at least. From his jaws swung a fire-orange creature, fur soft as a pup's and body long like a snake's. He'd never seen one before, but he was sure it would taste the same as anything else to little Adeline.

It was a small catch, but Day was proud he'd been able to nab it, cloudy eyes and all. Besides, Adeline is small and what is that smell?

It was a rhetorical question, because he knew that smell. All thoughts of home and little Adeline abandoned, he trotted at once in the smell's direction, his heart beating faster as he encountered no border, no protective mate, no nothing. Just her, bright-eyed and dark of fur.

Day crept a little closer, drawn in by the siren-smell without argument. His body would have him move closer still, but he kept himself a respectful distance away and let out a soft chuff, laying the fire-cat-snake on the ground in a clear offering.

"Hello," he said in a friendly voice, forcing his protesting limbs into the sphinx position - I don't want to seem friendly, I want to be over there! - But Day knew that it was better to let her approach. At least, he knew he'd had more success that way before.

Perched on the edge of the river, her eyes wandered slowly after every form that darted out in front of her. Several times over could she had tried to reach in and grab one, and yet, she'd held back. If she were to miss, then surely the rest of them would all be frightened away and a meal lost. She had to be patient, to wait until a larger quantity swam by, that way her chances of catching one would be increased. It was a time-consuming activity, but necessary. The air betrayed the presence of other prey, yes, but the river seemed most plentiful. Even from a distance, she had sworn that she'd spotted the various fish swimming about within it, but no longer could she be sure of that, for already had she since approached the water and confirmed the amount of life within its depths.

Towards her there had been a nearing school, seemingly unaware of her presence there. Her muscles tensed, ready to lunge forward and break the water's surface with her muzzle. Never had she been given the opportunity to do so, however, as a single ear swiveled back atop her head in order to better pick up on a sound. It was recognized as being footfalls, an approaching someone who, normally, she would have greeted. This time she offered not even the slightest of sounds as she'd turned around to face him, her previous task forgotten as her focus lingered solely upon the stranger. Nothing about him was familiar, save for his scent. As she'd gingerly sniffed at the air, she'd smelled something similar to FitzDutiful on the stranger, bringing her to believe that they were of the same pack. Briefly, she had wondered of how the male was doing, but had been unable to find the words necessary to pose such a question. No, the pale man wasn't one of her top priorities at the moment, for towards the fiery-coated corpse had her eyes been drawn.

Fox.

It was a species that she did not hunt—could not bring herself to hunt. Their fine furs reminded her of fire, which, in turn, brought forth thoughts of dragons. They were not messengers of the fierce beasts, as far as she knew, but still they held a colour about them that was unlike any other. Yet the furs did not move as they should on the corpse, turning it into something that she could pity, but not properly mourn. Still, when she'd looked back towards the male, there lived within her gaze the faintest of glares. "You should not have stolen its life," the chieftess voiced, eyeing him for a moment, but making no move to leave. Her escape route had yet to be decided on, various paths presenting themselves as candidates, but each one offering a risk, too. Without a clear choice in mind, she'd remained still, glued to her spot along the river.

It was actually supposed to be a weasel XD

The intensity of her stare told him he had little chance of following through with his intentions. She was obviously unimpressed with his offering, and perhaps even a little offended. Day looked down at the little creature, wondering why they were apparently as off the market as this shewolf.

"I have mouths to feed," he said to the woman, still hoping to get lucky but sincerely doubting his chances. Still, bitch in heat or not, he refused to feel bad about bringing food back to Silvertip. "I will do what I must to keep them alive."

Though his eyes were not the best, he saw signs of her fight-or-flight response kicking in already. It looked like she was leaning toward flight, but you could never be too sure with women. Day kept his distance, but did not move away from the fire-cat-snake - if she didn't want it, he would certainly still be bringing it to Adeline no matter how offensive she found it.

Oh. Whoops, aha. I associate weasels more with a clay-like colour, rather than fire. ^^;;

Mouths to feed, lives to protect. They were similar in that way, but not nearly enough for her to be capable of forgiving his act. He had snuffed out a flame, caused for an ember to grow so dim that no longer could it be used to light the world. As a dragoness, she could not forgive him, no matter his reasoning for having hunted the specimen down. "There exists other prey," she'd noted, motioning then towards the river. Her mind had since began formulating a plan, a way in which she might be able to depart from the encounter with ease. If only she could lure him over, but in a manner that would not involve her own safety being put at risk. Of course, she valued her own health, and so it was currently her top priority. Protect herself, as well as escape—it seemed easy enough, but only in theory. The manner in which everything might truly play out was something that she could not predict, and so with the moment she'd gone, taking everything a single step at a time.

Carefully, the girl had stepped to the side, turning slowly so that her side was facing the river. Towards the male had she then looked, motioning towards the water once more, but this time with an invitation to approach having been extended. "Come," the chieftess voiced, encouraging him to draw nearer, but ensuring that it was always her frontal half that was facing him. "I will teach you." Of course, she wasn't the greatest at fishing, but that mattered little when her actual intentions were to do something else entirely.

When she motioned him forward, all traces of their conversation swiftly departed from his mind. He would get to be nearer to her. He might still have a chance.

Haltingly, Day picked up his prize and followed her command. He'd been forgiven, apparently, and he was not about to question it. And the closer he came, the more enticing the thick, heady scent of her became, until he could no longer see the river, or feel the fire-cat-snake in his jaws. All the world became this dark female, and he would do whatever he had to in order to gain her favor.

Opening his mouth to speak to her, his prize fell to the ground. Belatedly, he remembered her disdain for him having hunted whatever it was, and at once, he sought to apologize - all thoughts of standing his ground slipped like water from his mind.

"S-sorry," he stutterd, his voice sounding too-loud after the muggy silence that had gripped him.

The male had accepted her invitation and approached, but not without first having retrieved his previous catch. She'd done her best to ignore it for the time being, deciding that there were far more pressing matters at hand. Her plan was not the greatest, having been thrown together in a matter of mere moments, but even still, she felt as if it was better than doing nothing. She had a chance at getting away, and that was all that really mattered. So when he'd then dropped the creature to the ground, she'd done her best to keep her eyes from drifting towards it, staying focused on his face instead. Inwardly, she really did pity the lifeless flame, but knew she could do nothing to fix it. Already had its soul gone away, and never would she be able to lure it back into his body. She wished to have never of crossed paths with the man, even after his apology had been issued.

Nevertheless, she'd nodded, accepting his words for what they were, but making no comment on them. Towards the water's surface had she then looked, nodding towards it, even, so that the male might follow her gaze. "Watch them," she'd instructed. "When one is near to you, strike into the river so that you may catch it." A demonstration was not given, only words. If he were to do as instructed right then, she would break away from him once his head was submerged in the water and make an attempt at slipping away. Whether or not she'd be successful was presently unknown, for she knew not how quick the male was, or even if he'd give fishing a shot. If he, instead, did not attempt to catch one, she would remain still for a while longer, biding her time.

Staring dubiously at the female - You want me to do that? Now? - Grayday took a moment to clear his head before tearing his gaze reluctantly from her heavenly form. His eyes turned to the water, but his attention stayed on her, wondering if she would still be receptive if he made a fool of himself, here. Sometimes he still thought of the red wolf in the Hinterlands who had also invited him to try his jaws - could he refuse her without further offending her?

With one last glance in her direction, he determined that no, he definitely could not. Another breathy sigh, and he turned his full attention toward the shimmering silver down below. Might as well get it over with, he thought to himself, ducking his head into the water and wildly snapping his teeth.

Though she'd not have taken any true offense to her instructions being gone against, she definitely would have taken comfort in knowing that he thought that, had she been capable of reading minds. He'd turned away, looking to the water as she'd previously said to do. While he had soon glanced back her way, the sigh heard was a good sign to go by that she would be successful in having him focus elsewhere—which is exactly what he had done. All the while, she had observed him, waiting for the moment in which his head was cast down into the river's flow. Once under, she'd taken several quick steps backwards, watching him, still, to be sure. It'd taken her but a matter of seconds to spin around once the distance between them was deemed enough, breaking into a run as her attempt to leave was made. Still, though, she knew nothing of him, his speed and other physical capabilities included.

A short ways off, a forested section of the shoreline was spotted, and so it had become her destination immediately. Under the coverage of a woods, she knew she would fare better, and so she'd desired an entrance into it more than anything.

Grayday's head emerged empty-mouthed from the river, sopping wet and with water up his nose. For a moment, everything still looked fuzzy as it had been underwater, but his vision soon cleared to reveal that the dark female was already far from his grasp.

A little grumpy, he stared after her for another moment before she slipped into the trees, taking her siren-scent away with her. It was disappointing, to say the least, but the day had not been a total loss. Grayday scooped up his fire-cat-snake and trotted dejectedly toward home, deciding that he would nurse his hurt pride by eating the kill on his own, instead of bringing it back to the others -

Besides, he thought he'd better wash any remnants of her scent out of his fur before he returned to Silvertip, where he might have the luck to run into @Krypton. Maybe he'd talk to her today. They were packmates, after all...

Thanks for the thread! Better luck next time, Day-day.

This was enjoyable~ Short post to conclude her escape.

Asterr had pressed onward, sparing not even the quickest of glances in the direction that she was moving away from. Her focus was attached to that which was ahead of her, eyes clinging to the treeline, while her ears had been made to swivel backwards every so often. It was only when she'd broken through into the shelter of the woods that she'd slowed before reaching a full stop, listening for footfalls that never came. Relief hit her like a tidal wave, her plan having proved to be successful. From there the girl had continued her trek—albeit at a far more even pace, since she did not currently spot anyone worth running from—her journey having yet to reach an end.