Swiftcurrent Creek Yangtze

backdated a little, 4 the kids

I asked you to trust me. I told you I would explain, so… River took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a long blink. When she opened them again, her resolute gaze landed on the inkstorm @Jet, who had first asked the question days ago. It’s time.

She’d kept deliberately silent on the matter since; uncertain of her own decision while mentally disguising her doubt as a lesson about patience for her children. They needed to know that answers would not always come immediately— that they must investigate on their own— and, eventually, she convinced herself that this was the only reason.

Swordsilver eyes swept over Campaign, to Jet’s left, then back to his right to look upon @Creek and @Harrier. They were each so different, and so perfect. The love she had for them was so immense, she felt she might burst! But there too was great sorrow in her heart, to know that she could never save them completely from harm. That they would grow to live their own lives and experience pains she could not heal or soothe or even sometimes understand. 

The wind blew cold against them, sweeping through the open air of the circular tree grove that was their densite, and a light snow began to fall.

But before I tell you, I want to ask, why do each of you think I’m keeping us here? She motioned to them one-by-one to give their answer, starting with Campaign.

Campaign made a face.

Though firstborn, he was often content to let his siblings speak before him. He preferred to live his life as more of an observer, which was exactly why she forced him to go first now (unbeknownst to him).

Ummm… He hummed thoughtfully. Well, I thought it was ‘cause they got those big wolves here. They’re protecting us, right?

Without receiving any affirmative or negative response to Campaign’s answer, the only girl was motioned to next. She had been straining from her seated position, as if raising her hand in a bid for Teacher’s attention.

She blinked rapidly under that hard silver gaze, fidgeting almost excitedly while she gave her best attempt at an answer.

It’s because of the weather, she answered smarmily. Soon, it’ll be even colder than this! And that means less prey. Her tone would’ve won first prize in the Little Miss Know-it-All contest. We obviously need to stay with them so we can eat more than the rabbits.

Harrier just knew she was right!

the four of them are gathered and broached upon the topic that had come up during the pack meeting. the creek's quarrels were not theirs — at least this is how jet ( annoyingly, perhaps ) chooses to stubbornly believe. he holds fast to it, even as they go in the circle with providing answers as to why they've remained in swiftcurrent creek.

campaign starts them off, harrier eagerly chirrups her response next. seated between harrier and creek, jet realizes he's next.

logic and survival map out the different answers in his mind, each branch off making a sense that jet begrudgingly accepts as sound and reasonable. because the pros of being apart of a pack outweigh the cons? protection, as campaign mentioned. food, as Harrier said. our chances of survival are a lot higher with a pack.