Swiftcurrent Creek We’re going to need a bigger boat

open to all.

One fish, two fish, red fish, b-

She patted the heads of Caliste, Leonore, Saturin, nestled in for bed. Among the tangle of limbs and full bellies she searched for her tan son, turning Saturin over and nudging Caliste aside to see if perhaps he’d simply been at the bottom of the heap. 

Shark? 

No answer from the one who usually got a pat on the head and nicknamed “blue fish.” 

Stay here, sweet t’ings, She said, concern lacing her voice. 

Out into the blue hour she went, sniffing for any trace of her son’s scent. It was here and there- and she tried to track down all the places he had gone throughout the pack territory until she realized with disdain that his scent disappeared along the banks of the water. 

She tried not to panic. There was a possibility that he had gone in, all four feet, to get a drink and when he had emerged, his scent had been camouflaged. It did not mean that the current had carried him away but when she stepped in, she inhaled sharply. 

The water was freezing cold, and surprisingly fast. 

She called out, knowing that Caliste, Leonore and Saturin would hear her voice and the worry that caused it to tremble. 

I can’t find Shark. Has anybody seen him? She howled. His tracks are by the creek, She howled again. Code, she hoped, that her three present children would not understand. But for all the adults in the pack who knew the creek and its dangers, she hoped they might make haste if their were available and help her search.

no. oh no.
lestan, who did not know what to do with himself, had lingered in earshot of the den. devoting himself to patrolling the waterways, his ears came up with a surprised sharpness at suzu's panicked voice.
long legs carried the mayfair in her direction, belly lurching as she mentioned their beloved creek.
swollen from summer-rain and autumn storms, the water was fast moving and terribly frigid; he felt its miasma even as he ran along the wet banks, following the current.
at a fork, lestan tucked paws and leapt neatly into the water.
dragged beneath almost at once, the mayfair sought the coldness of logic and moved with the current itself, claws scraping deliberately on rocks and branches beneath, feeling for shark.
he surfaced some ways downstream, grabbed breath, and returned to a dive, swimming downward and fighting to see as silvery bubbles swirled from his mouth.
but there was nothing to glimpse in the dark iciness, and when his head broke the waves again, he looked for suzu, clambering now for the shore.
a rest and he meant to return, searching the creek in sections until he was too exhausted to stand.
if that had been blossom, lestan would have begged someone to do the same.

Within his grasp, a large bowing antler—a perfect victim for puppy teeth that wished to score and gnaw. It was to be a delivery to Suzu and her littles—a visit in hopes he could get to know the she-wolf better, for she was one of their members that remained a mystery to him.

That, and she was from the sea—he wasn’t sure how she and Etienne would feel with a potential predicament between the creek and the ocean wolves.

There was a panicked cry, though—and while Suzu hinted her worry for the creek pulling the child away… he could not help but recall Kukutux’s words, and the band of wolves who were not above kidnapping and luring children.

He swept past the den site, dropping the antler down for the trio of cubs still there—a smile given to them, as if such a thing could trick them into thinking everything was just fine, before he loped after Suzu’s trail, coming to find her.

Lestan—just down the creek, searching. “Hey,” he uttered, reaching a paw down to help her out of the waters if she wished it. “We’ll get a search together. When was the last time you saw him?” A timeframe could give them an idea of how far he might have gotten on foot… or, worse, the current of the creeks rapid waters.

Morwenna’s voice trembled, the wretchedness of a howl clawing through the trees, sounding as raw and jagged as the sharp stones scattered along the creek. She knew too well the agony of loss, the hopeless hollowness that came with not knowing. Her eyes darted between the shadows of the forest, seeking any flicker of movement. She was relentless in her pursuit, tracking where the howl had come from.

Morwenna bounded through the treeline, snapping branches upon her entry with a huff. While she did not know the woman personally, she thought her name was Suzu. Without a word, Morwenna pressed her muzzle to the she-wolf’s shoulder, offering a single, fierce nod. A raw understanding that any mother would recognize.

One look to Akavir—a silent plea in her gaze— one to the mahogany male who looked just as frightened as any of them. Morwenna's gaze flickered to the wailing rapids, the beat of its violent drum ringing in her ears. A pup surviving the current? Stay positive.

She awaited for any information that the mother could provide, side-stepping to give her room to breathe. I will help, she wanted to say, but the words were caught in her throat.

Arlette was also alerted by the panicked cry. She was swift to come to aid when hearing Suzu call out. She had her fair share of worries about her own children and the cold river. It was one of her fears as well. Arlette made her way to the river and went to look for Shark. She didn't smell anything, and made her way towards Suzu's cry. She could comb this side of the bank to see if she could find anything.

The pale female approached the scene not having found anything yet. Akavir was there, and Morwenna. I came up a mile from up river and did not see or smell anything yet, she offered as she trotted towards them. I can travel further downstream to search, the pale healer offered. When any of you find him it is important to lick him dry, if he is unresponsive try to lick by his ribcage, or even bump it with your snout.:: She instructed. Worst case he was in the river and she wanted to be prepared even though it might not be needed.

guys so sorry I been pretty out of it. Cameo. He'll keep the other kids nesr him

Etienne's worst fears came to light. He had not been present one time. One time he hadn't helped Suzu and a baby was missing. The guilt and the grief was astronomical. But he tried hard not to panic. He raced towards the call.

He gathered his sister's little ones. Gently fussing like a mother hen
Quickly engaging them in stories and play whatever he could do to keep them calm and currently unaware.

But deep inside. The sea rose up and he trembled with the fear and fury.

Just- earlier, She responded absent-minded to Akavir as she moved swiftly along the banks of the creek, searching for any sign that her boy may have emerged somewhere along its banks. The water was dark and deep, the stillness of its surface a hint of the strong current that pulled well below the surface. Today, She said, trying to be more helpful though she was so frantic that her thoughts were jumbled. 

When was the last time she’d seen him, and where?

I ‘ad all four of dem, I am sure of it. Dey were playing, an’ I call dem to say we be goin’ back to de den, an’ I counted dem, I counted four- until we settled in. Hadn’t they been further inland? It still remained possible that the boy had turned back for a drink after they’d set course for the den. 

Somewhere in the midst of it all, he’d slipped away. And whether he’d meandered along the riverbanks with clean feet or had been swept into the current, it was impossible to tell. 

We came ‘ere to get away from de water! She croaked, this time to Arlette, eyes welling with tears. She listened tearfully to Etienne’s advice and leaned heavily against him for support.