Whitefish River jeweled

Spring; the season of new beginnings, of warm sunlight and a sweet green breeze. Polaris ducked beneath low-hanging tree branches into the clearing where he'd left @Peridot. I found somewhere we can spend the night, He called out to her, tail waving lazily. He left it unspoken that the way ahead was safe, as it had been the last half-dozen times he'd scouted ahead to check. The constant chaos of Casco Bay was well behind them by now.

Yet he couldn't shake his unease. He glanced over his shoulder, ears twitching at the sound of a twig snapping somewhere beneath the trees. His tail went still, falling momentarily to his hocks. When several seconds passed and nothing had burst from the trees to attack them, Polaris turned his gaze back to Peridot, hoping his own anxiety wouldn't rub off on her too much.

Finally, Peridot thought to herself. 

This journey back to the Wilds had been arduous at best; a place to rest was greatly welcomed. She found her paws aching as she waited in the clearing, so she took a moment to stretch them, toes flaring wide and a yawn punctuating the end before returning to full height. Green eyes twinkled as she caught sight of her snow-clad guardian. 

And lover.

Polaris had lead the way dutifully and with much care taken towards ensuring their safety. He had done so since her brother had been killed in combat—at first, it felt as though it was only by the bond of brotherhood did Polaris take her under his wing. Maybe, it had been. But, something beautiful came from that tragedy and she would always thank her brother for bringing his comrade into her life. She had only wished he was still here to witness it.

Her own tail swayed in response. She bounded to him quickly, a lick to his muzzle in a quick greeting. “Thank goodness! With it being Spring, life surely should be bustling around here. I am starving.” Dottie pretended to sway, her paw reaching up to her brows ever so dramatically. 

Her giggle had died shortly as it had come. The cues were subtle, but it was there—hyper vigilance at the ready. A curse of war. “Hey—you alright, darling?”

In a moment the source of his anxiety shifted; he was worrying her again, he knew, though he never meant to. Never better, Polaris answered with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. I'd better get to hunting, hm? Can't have my girl going hungry.

Let's get you settled first. He beckoned her onward, hoping that with Peridot tucked away in a den his own anxieties would abate somewhat. In these moments he thought often of Carnelian; what would his fallen friend think, to see them now? Polaris could never shake the nagging thought that perhaps he would hate them for finding happiness in the wake of his death. Yet he'd wanted Peridot to be protected, of that there could be no doubt. Wasn't Polaris doing just that?

Only if you don't fail, a cruel voice reminded him. He swallowed hard, looking firmly ahead as he led Peridot to the spot he'd found.

He assured her quickly, but she knew better. Something was off; she could feel it. Unfortunately, pressing him would do no good and, if she were to be honest with herself, the idea of a full belly was much more appealing.

With lips pursed and a look that screamed I don’t believe you, she accepted the sweet gesture with a girlish grumble. 

“Alright—lead the way, Mister.” Paws spurred on by sheer hunger alone, Peridot followed. 

Always one to notice even the most minute of details, she had the unfortunate knack of feeling out others. And she couldn’t shake the feeling that Polaris was keeping something from her. She had learned not long ago that poking and prodding didn’t serve her well, so she would let him come to her.

For now, she would focus on him leading her to respite. And food.