Ravenshook Cliffs On edge

Any kind of encounter, with any events being determine though IC interactions, thoughts and feelings.

Raindrop had told her husband that she would take the duty of hunting that early morning. She told him she would go northwards, toward the sentinels,  but not there. Not again. 

She kissed her growing children goodbye before she took of at a brisk canter, closer to the sea. Where she would hunt was the Ravenshook Cliffs, with the hope of catching bird and whatever else she could get her jaws around. When she arrived at the cliffs, the ground sunk down, down a steep cliff side. She stayed well away for the edge, and decided to hunt in the caves. 

Her ears were alert, listening to each and every sound. Her nose sharp, the need to feed her family driving her.

His mind beginning to clear after his experience with a panther cap mushroom the previous night, Kekoa found himself on the ground surrounded by the stone walls of a cavern.

He had likely wandered in during his trip; and now he was a bit lost. Tired, unkempt, and mind buzzing he paused, searching for a scent to follow - anything that could potentially lead him back out.

It was time's like this that he regretted leaving home. Had this happened there, a search party would have been sent out and he would be back in a warm den by now.

As she descending into the caverns, her nose caught a certain smell, not that of the sea, or the salt, but of a wolf. She was alerted, and she didn’t know if someone was trapped in here, or lost, or a potential threat. 

She stopped in her tracks, and looked toward the darkness, and it was there that a faint shape lay among the stone walls. 

“Hello.” She called out, “Are you alright?” She had no doubt it was easy to get lost, and this is why she made it a point to take notice of specific landmarks. She waited on a response before proceeding any further.

The voice of another ringing out, he snapped back to reality. Squinting his eyes to attempt at better spotting them in the dark, he saw what he assumed to be the silhouette of another.

"Who are you?"

The question sounded almost accusatory. Despite the stranger appearing to be friendly, he couldn't help it; it was a natural reaction. A safety precaution.

A response followed, spoken in an accusatory tone. 

“I am Raindrop of Moontide.” She spoke aloud, “I have come to hunt. What of you, stranger? If you need help, I can call for another.” If he was dangerous, they could also pose as backup, but she gave the stranger the benefit of the doubt. Someone would have to make the first move, but that could wait till she at least learned some part of his identity.

She would lead with caution, no matter what, because she had a family back home, and she wouldn’t put herself at risk more than she had to.

He took a moment to shake off his nerves before responding. The other seemed to be willing to help; he shouldn't spoil this opportunity.

"I'm not sure how I got here - and I don't know my way out." He attempted to explain, taking a single step forward.

Kekoa could only hope that the other was familiar with these caverns, and could help him find his way out.

He was lost. Somehow he found his way in here, and she would get him out. She looked around a cave that wasn’t quite yet pitch black, then she brought her eyes back to the figure moving slowly towards her.

“Try not to worry. We’ll get out.” She tried to reassure him. “Come further into the light and you can follow me out.” This is when trust in humanity would have to come in.

Comforted by the reassuring tone, Kekoa skittered forward until the other became visible. He lowered his head slightly as a show of submission; he did not want to appear as a threat.

He would save his questions for the time being; though admittedly they were already piling up in his head.

The wolf skittered out into the lighter part of the cavern, and now she could see him well. His coat was bathed in the colors of autumn. He was submissive as he neared her, and she gave him a gentle smile.

“It’s alright. I’ll get you out of here.” She reassured him, then she turned towards the way she came, and with gentle steps she moved onward, toward the light. She would have to find something else for her family to eat, although there was no food shortage within the pack’s cache, it was still in a wolf’s nature to hunt.

Soon, the sunlight from outside became closer, and the fresh sea breeze blew in from outside the cave. The smell of salt, the sea, and of autumn. When they reached the entrance, as she stepped out of the dark and into the light of day she took a deep breath.

He let out a breath as they emerged into the light, his nerves settling. Caverns were not something he was used to traversing, he must have been delirious to enter such a place willingly.

Later he could put the pieces together, for now he needed to find somewhere to have a proper rest. Head turning to the other he offered a nod. "Thank you." He knew better than not to express his gratitude.

The boy glanced back to the dark behind them with a frown. "Do you travel through these often?"

“It is my pleasure. No one should be left alone, especially in a dark place.” Her words seemed as if they could have deeper meaning, or perhaps as simple as their situation was. 

“No, I do not. I came in search of food, to hunt. I am part of a pack just nearby, Moontide. After traveling these lands, the coast has become my home, and that of my family.” 

A thought, “Tell me, what is your name? Where do you come from?”

Soon, she would need to return, and although her children were growing, she still strived to be close to them.

She had asked a fair question, yet he did not feel compelled to answer. However he did not wish to be rude to the wolf who had saved him either.

"Kekoa. I came from the north." The answer was simple, but an answer nonetheless. She had mentioned a family, and he was sure that she must wish to finish her hunt and return to them. He would not keep her any longer.

His eyes briefly darting away, he struggled to find a clean conclusion to the brief conversation. "I'll let you continue with your hunt now - thank you again."

It was indeed an answer. A short one, but still an answer. “Ah. Well, allow me to welcome you to the Teekons. And thank you.” She replied briefly. It seemed this man wished to move on, and she too needed to continue her hunt. “Stay safe out there. And if you ever need shelter, there are many packs scattered across the land. There is no lack of places to consider home.”

Then, she turned to head back towards home, where she would find something more common, a gopher, rabbit, or perhaps squirrel. “Goodbye.” She said at last, then set off at a brisk trot.

Thank you for joining my thread. It was a pleasure to write with you! :)