Wip had heard tell of sources of warm water in these parts, and she had been eagerly seeking them out ever since. It was not that she was not capable of withstanding the unending cold that these lands seemed to be pelting at her since her arrival; it was only that if there was the possibility of being absolutely warm…well that was a possibility that she could not pass up. Her nose told her she was near before her eyes did however. It quivered with the smelliness of the warm pools, and immediately she began to rethink this venture. Wip was slightly more vain than she cared to admit, and she wondered if being warm was worth being submerged in smelly waters.

Still, having knowledge of warm waters could be useful to her pack in the future, and so she pressed on. It wasn’t until she was fully visible herself to the other female that Wip was alerted to her. Her presence had been clouded by the smell of the pools she was currently submerged in. Wip lowered her head and tail slightly in a sign that she came in peace and approached the other slowly, with a calm countenance on her face. She nodded slightly, and pivoted her ears in part to ascertain if they were alone. Hello there, getting warm? The injuries of the other female were as of yet, obstructed to her view.

It was a rare moment that Wip ever spoke without thinking thoroughly about her words, and this interaction would be no different. She had traveled for so long in isolation and had become accustomed to silence, therefore she never feared it. It was for this reason that she comfortably remained silent for a beat as she studied the female in front of her. She was painted black except for the white markings on her head down to her back, and other than that her body was submerged out of Wip’s view. It was the eyes that held the tawny female however, a piercing yellow that stared warily.

Wip wondered if she had caught her at a bad moment, and noted the other’s tone. She found a certain liberty in always being pleasant, so she assumed that there must be a really good reason for which anyone would choose to be hostile. Yet, always the agreeable wolf, Wip considered that perhaps she would not be as charming had she been interrupted in the middle of a bath. She lowered herself slowly until she was sitting on her haunches a few feet away from the warm pool, and curled her tail with it’s black tuft of hair around her legs in a calm stance.

She wrinkled her nose and then replied, Want? I don’t really want nothing ma’am, I was just spending the day looking for these warm pools I had heard about. Only, now that I’m here…they kind of smell. Wip considered these words and then added, What makes them warm, do you know? Always eager to learn new things, Wip wondered if the female could provide her with an answer.

Wip watched the other carefully, yet was not able to move quickly enough to dodge the splash of water that was sent her way. It sloshed over her shoulder, and the female felt that it was indeed warm. Wip nodded as if this had been a carefully orchestrated scientific procedure, and then watched the younger wolf drink from the pool. In Wip’s experience, if it smelled bad it most likely tasted bad. With the exception of those tasty morsels that were buried for later of course. Yet, the other female seemed determined and gulped the water like it was the most delicious thing in the world. This persuaded Wip to near the pool, and put her nose up against the surface of the water, inhaling deeply. She shook her head in disgust and exhaled quickly, unwilling to force herself. Soul-fur. She repeated the word in her usual process for learning things, and then decided that Soul-fur whatever it was, smelled bad, and probably tasted bad to boot.

Just then she sensed a sudden movement, and always the cautious wolf she backed up quickly, in time to see the younger female slip on the rocks and injure herself. It was only then, when the unnamed female was splayed out before her, that Wip was really able to see the extent of her injuries. You’re hurt! She was addressing more than just her cheek now, as she looked over the other’s wounds. Hold on! Wip ran away back into the trees, excited to have a chance to exercise the extensive catalogue of things she had been keeping track of during her travels. She had noticed a plant similar to one that grew near her old home. It thrived in clay soil, and her emerald eyes lit up with excitement when she spotted it. It was a flimsy looking herb, but it was hardy to the climate and her experience told her it worked wonders on the flesh.

She tore out a large bushel with her mouth and then loped back to the pool where the other female was. She chewed them all out with zeal, and then spit up the concoction sloppily over a flat rock. This will help…if you let me help you with it. It will make everything feel better. Wip grew tentative, she knew almost nothing about the other, but got the impression that her pride more than anything as hurting, and some wolves followed their pride straight to the grave.

Wip grew alarmed at the apparent incoherentness of the younger female. Her earlier behavior had demonstrated to Wip that she was feisty, and to see her now in such a subdued state was worrisome to her. She approached her warily, still not completely trusting of her, as she had demonstrated some saltiness earlier. Wip licked up a gob of the herb goo on the rock and approached her warily, and licked some of it onto one of the wounds on her body. When she didn’t lung at her, Wip grew bolder, and repeated the process with the rest of her wounds until only the cheek was left.

The herb would sting, and this would hopefully help bring the other one back. She scraped the rest of it up with her tongue and smeared it onto her bloody cheek. Wip had plenty of experience with hurt puppies, and although the female before her was no puppy, her youth was evident to Wip. She really could do nothing now other than wait for the herb to sting at her flesh, and hopefully bring her wits back to her. She knew it would be working to heal her wounds at the same time. Wip lay next to her head, and began to lick at her face and snout, so as to prevent her from sleeping, and then lay her own head down atop the other female's neck protectively.

Wip was not surprised by the other wolf when she began to push her away. She had not seemed like the cuddly type after all, and Wip had not thought it prudent to go into a lengthy explanation in the moment that she was merely trying to keep her warm, so that they did not have to add shock to whatever it was that had rattled her organism. Wip did not struggle when she pushed her away and stepped back, and only nodded sagely. It’s nice to meet you Dauntless. I’m Wip. Where do you live? Do you belong to a neighboring pack? Maybe you could show me your home?

Wip hoped to be allowed to guide her back, because even though she did not know the wolfess, she hoped that were she in the same position, someone would help her out the same way. Sometimes, out in the wild, a creature had to depend on its fellow creature in order to survive. Wip pointed her nose towards the Bay, I live over yonder. Ever been to the Bay? Would you like to visit? I have some food cached away, if you’re hungry.

It was obvious that her concoction of herb goo had not been completely magic. That had been the right plant right? Wip began to grow worried at how confused Dauntless seemed to be. Where was the fire and sass that she had seen mere moments ago? Wip grew worried that the fall had been much more serious than she had previously assumed, and was relieved when Dauntless agreed to come with her. Maybe the walk back to the Bay could help Dauntless regain herself. And if not, maybe Wip would be able to nurse her, and to ask around and see if anyone knew this mysterious female.

Suddenly, she felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, and decided that there was no way she would let Dauntless down. Unfortunately, Dauntless’ own body was letting her down, and Wip watched her sink back into the pool. Goddamnit I really don’t want to go in there. Begrudgingly, Wip sank into the stinky water, enjoying its warmth briefly before she braced against Dauntless, and pushed slightly, trying to get her to step out. C’mon. You can do it. Step out and we’ll get you something to eat. Maybe drinking this funny water got you all discombobulated.

Wip sighed, exasperated. She needed Dauntless to get out of this muck, so that they could get moving. Maybe with some fresh air her head would clear a little, other than that, Wip didn’t think standing around stagnant would provide any solutions. When the other snapped at her, Wip only stayed still and waited for the apparent hissy fit to dissipate. I’m not pushing you. Just bracing against you so you don’t fall again you big silly. Now, try again, you will feel better once you get out of this muck. Wip cringed at the mud she knew was getting all over her fur. Maybe the fumes of this soul-fur were just making things worse.

Well good riddance. Wip huffed, a little self-satisfied as she watched the other trot away. Maybe it had not happened the way she wanted it to happen, but she had succeeded in getting Dauntless out of the pool after all. Yet something nagged at her conscience. The younger female was obviously not in her right mind, having asked her name again. Wip considered running off to the Bay, there certainly were other things she could be doing with her time at the moment. But, she knew that the thought of this she-wolf running around witless would eat at her.

On a hunch, she followed closely after her, wondering if her mental acuity had improved. Hey Dauntless! Where are you going? Home is this way…remember? She would try and lead her back to the Bay where she could keep an eye on her.