Duck Lake not all treasure is silver and gold

@Alessia <3

So many leagues she had placed between herself and the distant, cerulean blue waters of her home, and so many miles she had traveled over dry land... you'd think she'd grow accustomed to it, maybe even learn to enjoy and appreciate it... Yet, like a moth to flame, the young lass once more found herself upon the shores of a major body of water, as if her travel weary paws were divinity rods in disguise and could never be far from it.

Of course, this was a lake, she observed with a dull gaze and tight lipped frown, not the ocean, and it's all-too-still waters and salt-depraved air were clear indicators of such, the likes of which the sea-fairing girl could only scoff and pityingly shake her head at... but it would do for now. Besides, she needed a drink, and fresh water was much better for that. Not to mention the abundance of waterfowl she often caught flitting around in the corners of her eyes, which would make for lovely meals if she felt up to the task, or the sounds of lively splashing she flicked her muddy ears to every now and then, suggesting the presence of fish in the water.

So, perhaps this wasn't the coast, but as far as random locations to end up in went, she could certainly do worse.

After languidly strolling through the newfound area, emerald eyes curiously scanning for danger and wonder alike, she brought herself to the lake's edge (notably disturbing a small gathering of ducks nearby) and peered at her reflection in the crystaline waters for a moment before leaning down to take a sip. She looked neither better or worse since the last time she'd examined herself, the youth's russet pelt as disheveled as always and the rugged-looking scar that streaked her face as evident as could be, but appearances never really mattered to her, not so much as having a keen eye and sharp wit.

The air was polluted with noise and the thick scent of duck; the inkstain did not know why she lingered. Perhaps it was the scent of another on the breeze. Over the last days, she had found herself meeting others more frequently, and finding more meaning in these interactions. A chord had been struck within her, a sense of loneliness revived after such a time that she hadn't thought herself capable any longer.
Deep bronze, rust-tinged fur caught her eye first, as wild and unruly as her own. Her pace quickened, a chuff falling from her lips as she drew nearer to the other wolf. A rare thing happened, then; she was confused. The stranger appeared androgynous, perhaps more masculine at first glance, while scent offered no clues. Male would have been her first assumption, gaze trailing over lanky frame and jagged scar; overall, a rugged impression. Yet something in the slenderness of the other, the angular features...

Hello, She offered when finally she was able to tear her gaze away from the stranger's form, quite aware she had been rather rude in her prolonged staring. It was not the first time she had made such a mistake, however, and would not be the last.

Mud-colored ears flicked and turned to the alarming sound of approaching pawsteps, causing wariness to spike in Kila's heart long before the other even neared her. She paused in her drinking, head lifting just a bit, and glanced back at the other, muscles momentarily tensing and jaw tightening... however, upon noticing it appeared to be a pretty, neutral-faced female, she relaxed, gaze softening, and returned her lips to the water. The girl wasn't keen on being approached from behind, for a multitude of reasons, but it just being another woman enabled her to relax... somewhat.

She had also momentarily noted the way the other seemed to be staring at her body, as if trying to piece something together, which she merely shrugged off, even thought it amusing to some extent; that was the look most gave her upon first meeting her, and though some like herself might think it offensive, she took it as a sign that her efforts to pass of as Killian were relatively successful. 

The other's soft "hello" then greeted his auds, causing his cool green gaze to slide in the female's direction and his drinking to stop yet again, a small smile gracing ebony lips.

"'Ello yerself." His tongue snaked out to lick the water droplets from his chin. "If yer here fer a drink, don' let me stop yeh."

Something about the other's demeanor, the amusement in his eyes— surely a male, she'd decided— drew her a few steps closer to stand near his side, tail swishing slowly. One eyebrow lifted slightly at the way he spoke, gaze warming over the smile curving his lips. It occurred to her that he was attractive; roguishly so, she thought.
I'm simply admiring the view, She offered, only allowing her gaze to linger over him a few more moments before turning her eyes to the lake. No pack scent clung to the boy, she noted, but perhaps he knew something of the land. Perhaps he, too, had a birthright to reclaim. Are you from around here?

"I'm simply admiring the view."

The lad, observing the way her gaze remained on him for a moment before turning away, mused to himself with a thoughtful hum that he didn't know to which "view" she was referring- himself or the water. Regardless, he chuckled, a smooth, rolling sound, not unlike ocean waves, and broadened his grin into something more toothy.

"Nothin' wrong with tha'," he casually offered before returning his lips to the water, also not making it clear which view he was referring to.

After a brief paused, the dark-furred lass spoke again, causing Killian's ears to perk and his head to rise from the water one final time. The smile, having faded so he could drink, returned, warm and welcome to the inquiry.

"No, not I. I come from th' tropics, far south o' here." He tossed a gesturning nod over his ruffled shoulder, then returned his gaze to her, masked and unreadible, though hinting intrigue. Before going on, he allowed himself to quickly and unabashedly look her up and down, not in a hungry or prying sense, but just curiosuly, wondering about her in turn. "You?"

His words brought a faint half-smile to her own features, scarlet gaze flitting to him and over his figure again. If she was to be invited, the inkstain would take full advantage. It is a lovely view, She murmured after several moments. In the next beat, she found herself struck with memories best forgotten, and turned her eyes from the stranger once more.
I'm not from here, The yearling told him easily, both unable and unwilling to elaborate further. She knew her home was north of here, but not the north. Cold, but not the vast ice and snow she'd heard of; but that and the name of her pack were the extent of the girl's knowledge. She glanced to the sky as had become habit, eyes tracing the sun's position for a beat, then turned her head to meet the boy's brilliant green gaze. I've traveled much of my life. What drove you from your homeland?

sorry for the wait! <3 lost all muse and needed to take a break for a bit

At her mention of the "lovely view" yet again, another chuckle rolled through the lad's chest, he having now been given the impression from her freely wandering eyes over his boyish frame that the view was, in fact, himself. The tip of his mud-colored tail languidly swayed from side to side, the movements kept small and subtle in order to keep his true sex concealed, but still showing his appreciation all the same, if as much couldn't have already been seen from his merrily sparkling gaze.

He then perked his ears to her next reply, causing his wag to cease and his pretty features to become attentively neutral. It appeared she too was not from here, but her lack of noting just where she was from hadn't gone unnoticed, especially since Killian had provided this information and had privately expected to receive the same in return. Vibrant green eyes squinted distantly and inquiringly, scanning the girl up and down and pouring over the details of her tiny frame, like her tousled black fur or burning scarlet eyes might tell him what he sought to know, and his curiosity was quite evident... but then, with a small smile, he dropped the look, turned away, and figured all were entitled to their secrets, as he was to his. He wouldn't pry into this perfect stranger's business anymore than she hoped he's pry into his.

Instead, it was her turn to ask a question, earning a sideglance from the russet lad as she asked about his reason for leaving. To this, he offered another smile, though this one smaller, and coupled with the way his glaze mysteriously clouded over, maybe even a bit dark and off putting.

"Jus' wanted a new start is all," he shrugged casually, telling the truth yet lying through omission all the same, something the lad was quite good at by now. He wistfully swept his eyes back out to the sereness of the lake. "Had someone else's legacy shadowin' my steps and didn' feel like carryin' it around." And this vague answer was all she'd get from him. Killian had plenty of reasons to keep the intricacies of his life to himself, though perhaps the biggest one (aside from just being used to keeping secrets) was that he really did want to live a life free of his father's past misgivings, and in this land, where he had no way of knowing how far the name Gallagher had traveled, he just thought it safer to keep all of that to himself, not even take the chance.

After a brief moment, he glanced back at her with a grin. "Ya like the wa'er? Lakes 'n' oceans 'n' rivers 'n' such?" Killian was an unabashed aquaphile himself, it having been the only good constant in his life, and though he never expected those around him the love it as he did unless they also grew up around it, he was still happy to meet someone with an appreciation for it, at least. He also wanted to change the subject, though that needn't be said.