Alpine Lake You always knew it, there's nothing to it: it's mineminemineminemine

@Grievous

The lake on a hill intrigued her, the young wanderer determined to climb its slopes to find what was truly on top. She was a mountain wolf by birth, so the trek was not challenging, but it was something.\

What she found was well worth the brief effort. Airi beamed as the waters of the lake glinted in her sight. She felt Zennyo rumble in her head with pleasure at the sight and feeling. There was no claim here. She could, theoretically, claim this spot for her own, and have her own paradise: the lake upon the hill. She didn't need a pack — sure, she would like one — but she had lived this long just fine, thank you very much.

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In an attempt to get his bearings on the Hinterlands— and perhaps gauge the comparative worth of the forest he had chosen to return to— Grievous took to the heights that had caught his eye from his long trek down the coast. He had sworn off climbing, but months without it had proven to be no less of a strain on his joints than walking sea level. Besides this, it was the scent of freshwater that drew him in, and then the stunning sight of the sleek waterfalls that enticed him to stay.

On the following day, in preparation to find a path down from the mountain and south of the area, he rounded the lake only to find himself distracted by the sight of a black streak against the vibrant flora of the lakeland. Strolling slowly closer, he found the imperfection to be a wolf, younger than a year, but clearly independent by the sight and scent of her. He didn't bother to check for Others; already knowing that they weren't there.

When he did at last come to a stop, it was several wolf-lengths away, his tail swishing back in forth contemplatively as if he had not yet decided how open or neutrally he wanted to treat her.

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Is that Dave Chappelle omg

She had not yet noticed the devil that lurked behind her, as she began walking into the lake's water, feeling its coolness and sighing softly. The gradually growing heat had been uncomfortable for the girl born in fall, raised in winter and early spring. She knew that it was the unknown season summer, but despised it already, her Arctic pelt shedding slowly, not fast enough for the young girl.

A quick movement in the water attracted her attention then — a fish! Eyes widening, the vessel pounced without a thought, splashing water everywhere. Of course, the fish was long gone by then, but the sudden splash of water covered her, providing more of the heavenly coolness that she desired. She was not hungry, and could afford to miss the aquatic creature. She continued wading, deeper, the water growing higher and higher.

The one and only! ;D

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Her age became quite glaring as the raven-wolf tended very little to her surroundings. Grievous watched as she remained ignorant of him, focusing instead on the silverfish darting visibly in the shallows. Silly girl! If he were so inclined he could—! Luminous eyes jumped towards the water briefly, his hunter's eye acting solely on reflex as they struck out to keep pace with the sharp swimmers flitting about. He had to force his eyes back on the girl, training them on her as intently as she honed in on her prey. He critiqued her technique, knowing that she'd have to be still for a long time if she ever expected to catch a riverfish... but for now he just creeped on her silently.

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It became a game rather than a chase for life. The fish swam past her, teasingly, their silver scales rubbing against her thick quarter-Arctic fur. She darted forward when they were close, her jaws snapping in the water, the liquid squirting through her crunching maw. The girl whirled in a circle, losing the original fish she had been hunting, quickly shifting targets to another, similarly shimmering fish, spinning herself into a tizzy. Her body stopped, soaking now, and she faced the shore. A giddy smile masked her panting body and she looked up. The sight of a large male on the shore surprised her, mostly because she had not noticed him. A soft gasp exited her lips, but it quickly shifted into a scowl. Who are you? She asked pointedly.