@Graeae <3
Dragoncrest Cliffs, 5/10/19
Wolves in the area: 0
Characters referenced: 0
Her paws fell upon the grasses of valleys then the shale of mountain passes and the grit of desert slopes. The ground had given way to the foliage-carpeted loam of forest floors to the sands of a coast where the sea touched the earth.
Graeae trailed along at the fawn's heels like a shadow, occasionally bumped affectionately by the mother wolf as her gait fell into a lazy lope that sent sand into the air with each kick.
The coffee-pelted woman would slow from a canter in a skidding movement that was more filly than wolf - digging honey paws deeply into the dunes as she lurched herself to a stop.
Her coral gaze would rise to her daughter's orbs of sky, questioningly silently if she wished to investigate the lower paths and find whether the shore below would serve as a suitable safe harbor for the Marinus clan.
The trip might have been difficult, had Graeae not had the company of her mother. The pair moved like a well-oiled machine, never once stepping out of pace with one another. Each gentle graze from her mother's hip was appreciated, thanked with a chirp as Graeae carried on at Naiad's heels. Catching the questioning gaze, she nodded and moved forward for a more expansive view. Needless to say, she was plenty ready to find a moment's rest.
The snowy wolf followed the footsteps he had made prior to his hunt, a fat rabbit clenched in his jaws. Days earlier he had discovered shelter, once occupied by a badger or raccoon, a den formed naturally in the rocky ground. Vegas had spent a day or so in excavation, expanding the crevice, digging into the stony earth and removing the largest stones he could muster relative to his size and strength. The result was not quite impressive, but suitable; a roomy cavern in which to rest between his days of roaming.
It was towards his den that he loped, planning to spend the evening there enjoying his meal. His intentions, however, were abruptly interrupted by the sight of two travelers. One of them moved close to the hip of the other, leading Vegas to believe that they were a mother and daughter pair. He stalled a moment, debating whether to approach or leave them be. His worrisome nature got the better of him, however, and so the lanky wolf sped his pace until he walked alongside them, giving them a few feet of space to show that he was not a threat.
A muffled chuff alerted them of his presence, as the rabbit was still clutched in his fangs. He wore the slightest of grins, ears and tail in a neutral position.
The botanist offered a playful nip to the wolfdog's canine auds, preparing to turn on twirling paws and race her yearling daughter to the beach - where she too was awaiting relaxation after their journeys.
A flash of white, a soft noise drew her coral optics to the rogue - auds and tail rising in an alert I see you! pose. The Marinus tribe could be suspicious of strangers generally - they had learned to be in the various trials the generations of their family faced over the years - but Naiad tended to be more lenient than some of her more feral relatives.
The young man didn't seem like trouble and besides - maybe he would share his rabbit.
She relaxed slightly, tail wagging in welcome as she gestured for the male to come along as well with a jerk of her coffee crown.
A bit more restrained in the presence of a stranger, the young mother touched her nose to Graeae's inky flank. Be careful.
She walked on, discreetly arranging herself between the male and her daughter, tongue lolling out in a wolfish grin as she tasted the salt upon the air with joy.
Having been startled by the male's sudden appearance, Graeae's ears fell back against her skull as she cowered somewhat timidly beside her mother. She continued to peer over at him, unsure of whether to ease up, until Naiad's invitation was extended. She chuffed back, cautiously falling into line.
A few moments of silence passed by as the trio came upon the sandy beach. The salty air scratched at the inside of Graeae's nose, though she thought little of it. It's nice
, she whispered to her mother, careful to keep the stranger out of earshot.
awkwardly the snowy wolf stalled in wait for a response. such was received, in the form of a slight tilt of the woman's maw. a small smile graced his mellow demeanor as he fell into step behind them, careful to give them adequate space. the space that the mother formed between herself and her young one was lost on him; to Vegas, they were simply falling into step towards the sea.
eventually the trio reached the shore, a sight which the male had found himself familiar with in previous weeks. his soft smile remained in place as he watched them, the youngling appearing enthralled by the crashing of the waves against the sand. he did note that the wolfdog leaned into her mother but could not hear what she said and did not attempt to. Vegas had a knack for being curious without being intrusive.
H-have you two seen the ocean before? he wondered with a cant of his snowy crown. Oh, and... My name is Vegas. if he were to be spending some time with them, it seemed only polite to introduce himself.