Wolf RPG - rocky waters

@Paarthurnax :) When you have time.

The silver wanderer kept his word, and his plans for today basically just said 'Stay at Swiftcurrent Creek' though there was a someone that he wished to see again. Hopefully that someone would come by the Creek soon. If you wanted to find a Creek wolf, your best bet was to stay by the river. Most wolves that live here would stay by it, it was a constant source of fresh water and prey.

So this morning, he wandered out of his den and dipped his head to the waters for a drink. Eyes flicking to see if there was any wolves nearby. For now, nobody was here and he was content to sit and fish for a while.

Paarthurnax had spent the entirety of the morning scouting Swiftcurrent territory in search of plants that she could store away for the cold season, and mapping out the best spots to find her most common ingredients. So far she'd stocked up on a variety of goods: several types of berry that could be consumed for digestive issues, for pain relief, as anti-inflammatory. She'd placed leaves of different trees and bushes out to dry, as well as barks and roots. These would serve her well when the Winter months came around which, although they seemed some time away, would be upon them sooner rather than later.

She gave up when she grew hungry, and head toward the territory's namesake to seek a meal for herself. Fish had been something she'd learned to enjoy over a time, although there were a select few species that she found palatable. What she found on her arrival, however, was the crouching form of the sterling outrider, as he lowered to drink from the water's surface. The crimson beauty smiled softly. She had a lot of time and fondness for Shadow, who'd so kindly taken the time to make her feel welcomed despite Swiftcurrent's tension among the ranks.

"We've got to stop crossing paths like this," the long-legged medic chirped as she loped merrily to close the distance between herself and Shadow, and she sidled up alongside him to gently bump her rusty shoulder to his own silver one.

"We've got to stop crossing paths like this," he recognised her voice in an instant and smiled as she bumped her shoulder against his own. Why should we? I find it quite enjoyable. he said with a laugh, platinum eyes flashed with amusement. His gaze fell onto the Creek's waters and suddenly dipped his muzzle into the water. He came up, shaking his head fur with the fish caught in his jaws.

He smiled in satisfaction and offered it to her, What brings you here, Paar? he asked, curious. After all she was a medic now and probably had to collect herbs and whatnot. He knew from past experience that they needed to collect herbs before winter because there would be none then. He had learnt a bit about healing but not much, the wolves of his natal pack had to learn every skill that was available and perfect it.

Spotting another fish in the water, he snatched it up in his jaws again, effectively sinking his teeth into the flesh, killing it.

So sorry for the delay!

Warmth blossomed in Shadow's cool eyes, and Paarthurnax' smile broadened. He responded to her playful comment with grace then gathered himself to stride forward quickly. Her vivid gaze followed his movements as he bolted to the water's edge, ducked his head and returned with a writhing, silver fish between his jaws.

The bi-coloured beauty lowered to her haunches and laughed softly as her packmate turned toward her with a proud grin and began toward her again. Her feathery tail swept across the ground when Shadow offered his prize to her, which she accepted. Paarthurnax plucked the fish from her companion's grip, set it on the ground before her and blinked up at Shadow. "This," she said with a grin in response to his question, motioning toward her snack. "Thank you."

Paar held the fish beneath a dainty white paw and set about digging beneath the scales with her teeth. As she did so, Shadow returned to the water's edge and snatched another scaly creature that dared to swim too close to the surface. She eyed him curiously, wondering how he had become such an efficient fisher. Paarthurnax was hardly graceful when it came to hunting in water. "So what sort of excitement have you been up to?"

It's fine :) Shadow is become increasingly.....soft when he's around Paar. xD

His normally cold gaze softened visibly when she laughed, "Thank you." she said. He shrugged modestly, It was nothing and settled down next to her. "So what sort of excitement have you been up to?". He bit down onto his fish, chewing and swallowing it, before turning his warm gaze towards the healer.

Not much, just exploring Teekon Wilds. Expecially the sea, its beautiful, both at night and at day. he smiled at her. You should come with me on my next trip to the coast. I'm sure our pack-mates can avoid getting any serious injuries while we're gone. he murmured softly.

He chewed and swallowed another chunk of fish, repeated and waited silently for Paar's answer.

He's a sweetheart. :)

Paarthurnax opened the trout to expose its tender, pale pink flesh. She nibbled on it thoughtfully, a velvet ear perked atop her lovely crown as she awaited her companion's response. Shadow mentioned his travels, which interested her; she hadn't been very far outside of Swiftcurrent Creek during her time with the pack.

When Shadow suggested that she accompany him next time he goes, her eyes quickly sought his own. "I'd like that a lot," the two-toned Lambda chirped, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. Paar had not seen much of the coast on her travels, but she'd seen the seaside from a distance. Sand of any kind reminded her of her childhood, but with water right on her doorstep it likely made a perfect environment.

:) xD

"I'd like that a lot," said Paarthurnax.

The silver wanderer smiled brightly, his silver eyes locked on her copper ones and felt himself drawn towards her, melting into her bright eyes. All thoughts about the future of the Creek, the leadership of Bazi and Scimitar, the pups and their parents moving away vanished when he looked at her. She was beautiful, her personality and her exterior.

Without thinking, he blurted out You're beautiful. before his eyes widened, realizing what he just said and looked at her fearfully. His chance was surely gone now, maybe Paar hated him now and would never let him court her.

There was something infectious about Shadow's smile, but the way he looked at her was... different. Paar did not know him particularly well, and she was hopeful to better befriend him in the future. He was pleasant and comforting to be around, a wolf with a big heart and a kind face. She chose to ignore the familiar glint in his gaze when she met his eyes. However, she could not when he parted his lips and spoke to her.

"You're beautiful" were words she'd heard often, because she was. And she knew she was appealing to the opposite sex. Since she grew out of her awkward puppy appearance and into one of a young woman, Paarthurnax had turned many heads. She could handle herself in the presence of strangers who sought to pursue her, males who fancied her without even knowing her name, and often she'd even flirt back. Paar couldn't deny that she enjoyed being desired sometimes, but this time, she was not sure how to react.

Maybe because she felt something in return for Shadow? Because he'd been kinder than anyone else had been in a long time? Because he'd been willing to be the shoulder she sought to lean on? She did not know. A whirlwind of emotions gripped her heart, which fluttered uncomfortably within her breast, and her smile softened.

"Thank you, Shadow," the bi-coloured beauty managed when she saw warmth in her pack-mate's gaze replaced by worry, bumping the tip of her nose to her companion's silken cheek in silent encouragement. It was nice to be considered pretty by something who genuinely seemed to care for her, rather than someone who liked her purely for how she looked.

You wanna have another thread later when they arrive at the sea? :) Its okay if you don't.

"Thank you, Shadow,"

He let out a sigh or relief, thankful that she didn't hate him just yet. He leaned into her touch for a moment before moving away to take another bite of fish. Were there many that told her she was beautiful? He did not doubt that. With her bright copper eyes and slim build but when he said the word, he had meant so much more than that.

He let his thoughts wander, his tail thumping the ground once as he thought. He took another bite of fish, swallows and repeats. Lost in his own world for a few moments. He wondered if Paar felt the same way about him, he didn't know but what he did know was he couldn't control his own feelings towards anyone.

Finally he turned his platinum gaze back on her, icy eyes filled with warmth but a tint of worry clouded the edge of his gaze. "Are you still up for the trip to the sea?" he asked, tugging each word out of his throat painfully. He wished he could just tell her how he felt now but decided that for now, he would get to know her better.

I'll start the next one now since you've done the last few, lol. You wanna fade here with your next post? :)

A strange, awkward silence followed. Shadow lowered his head to tear off another chunk of his fish, and Paar followed suit. She chewed thoughtfully on the tender flesh, finding that the sudden change of mood made her lose her appetite. Not wanting to be rude, however, the bi-coloured medic ate as much as she could without making herself feel physically ill.

"You bet," Paarthurnax chirped, a little too enthusiastically. She was glad her pack-mate took control of the conversation again, rather than leaving them to linger uncomfortably. Her tail sprung to attention; "how about in a few days' time?"

xD sure. :)

"How about in a few days' time?"

He smiled softly at her, at least she agreed. He'd thought that she wouldn't, given the sudden change of circumstances but she did, which had to mean something, right? "That'll be great," he grinned, "I'll wait for you here," His den wasn't far off and he wouldn't be able to sleep anyways. "Grab something to eat before meeting me here."

Swallowing the last bit of his fish, he rose to his paws and waded into the water, only looking back once the water touched his knees. "Wanna go for a swim?" he smiled and dove in.

Sneaking another reply in here. :P

and out of all these things i've done, i think i love you better now

Shadow's mood seemed to lift again, though Paarthurnax was concerned that he might be masking his hurt at her lack of response. He'd opened his heart to the beginning of something that had the potential to be huge, and she'd shied away. It was too soon to consider mateship, considering she barely knew him.

Their trip away alone would be good for their friendship, the russet beauty hoped. She eyed the ashen male fondly as he puled himself to his paws and invited her to swim with him, which she declined gracefully; "I think I'll watch this time." She laughed heartily as Shadow swept forward and ducked beneath the surface, while Paar lingered in wait on the riverside to finish her fish.

TABLE BY JOHN · STOCK BY .v1ctor Casale. @ FLICKR