Swiftcurrent Creek do they see right through me?

Whenever you have time!

Today, Eshe walked the borders in search of @Arric. Now that she'd been promoted, she knew she needed to step up and expand her responsibilities within the pack. Even if it meant going out of her comfort zone, she had never been interested in fighting or patrolling.

She walked swiftly, sniffing every so often to ensure that she was still following him.

Thank you <3

Arric still wasn't sure how he felt about Eshe as leader. He liked her well enough and was super happy for his friend and her too. They seemed to have found the better end of the deal, and yet part of him wondered if she would do okay.

She took things so hard and criticism always messed with her head. He just didn't know if she had the thick skin she would need. And yet he also realized it was not his place to question. He was beta yes, but Akavir was Alpha.

She would find him on the borders. Wind ruffling the finer hairs near his shoulders as he looked out over the land, a dead bird at his feet. He had been lucky enough to catch it, but not hungry enough to eat it.

Eshe found Arric in what seemed to be a peaceful state and wondered if he was meditating. Arric ... ? she asked, hesitantly approaching. Are you meditating? If so, I can come back ... she didn't want to disrupt, knowing how helpful his practice was for his wellbeing.

As if his thoughts conjured her there she was. Blue eye blink and he lifted a side of his muzzle in a small greeting.

Naw. Just taking a breather. You hungry?

He eyed her over, she didn't look as if she was losing any weight that was good. He worried endlessly about food and whether they had enough.

Yeah, I could eat, she answered, looking him up and down. She had similar concerns about his well-being, especially after running himself ragged, but he looked in good shape. What we're you thinking? she asked. My leg is better, so I can help this time!

He chuckled at her answer. Yea she could eat. Akavir was rubbing off on her.

She was sesrching, studying. He shifted. He was good. All hale and hearty and shit.

There's weasels, maybe a deer or a goat. Maybe an otter, a fisher but they can be nasty..

Arric listed the prey they could pursue, and Eshe considered their options. Although she was tempted by something water-bound, she figured with the weather that that might not be the best option, so she focused on the remaining choices.

How about goat? she decided, licking her lips. It'd been a while since she'd had some. I haven't seen any around here, though ... do they live here? she asked. Or would they have to travel?

She seemed to be thinking. And of course there was always the river. But he was tired of fishing and thought perhaps she may relish some time to really actually hunt. 

He dipped his head. Not right near the packlands, we would have to go a little bit out to the mountain, but if you're okay with that. We can. Sometimes they wonder near her. We might even get lucky there. But not promises we won't have to travel.

It wasn't far, half a day maybe if that.

It'd been a while since Eshe had left the territory, and the prospect of a quick trip was exciting. I wouldn't mind that, she said. There'd also be the opportunity to collect some herbs to bring back, benefiting everybody. It seemed like a win-win in her mind.

Want to get going now? she asked.

do you want a new hunting thread near the ridge or you good woth imagination lol

Arric was a little nervous to leave the pack lands. Especially with Akavir's woman in tow. What if she got hurt or some shit. Akavir skin his ass and baste it. He shifted and grinned.

Absolutely

He moved to step beside her. Ears forward blue eyes taking in the territory as it faded behind them.

Imagination works for me!

They fell into step, matching each other's stride as they made their way towards the mountains. Eshe kept her eyes low on the ground, observing the foilage as they passed in case there was anything she could stop and collect. She doubted that she'd find anything of use, but it was worth a shot to keep an eye out.

So ... she said, trailing with a sly smile. What's new? Anything exciting going on? With as much as she felt she saw him and Arlette together, she assumed they were an item. Still, she wanted to confirm before saying anything outright about them being an item.

oaky cool

It was an easy silence. One that made Arric a little more comfortable. He hadn't been sure what the day may hold and had been nervous.

He watched for amy hoof prints or rubbings. Eyes darting. While his esrs swiveled catching the clatter or not of stones.

He studied her smile. Didn't understand and gave a shake of his head. Not really. Hunting, and border patrol. Cygnet comes and gets an attitude with me every now and again. Just cause she can..

Although Arric didn't name Arlette, he did name Cygnet, the perfect segue to get to the conversation she wanted to discuss. Arlette must have her paws full, hm? she said, unable to conceal her shift in expression; she was not a fan of the child, but Eshe knew that her fellow medic was doing the best that she could. That child is ... something.

Arric chuckled. Yea she does, but she handles it gracefully. She has had pups before and she helped to raise Solaria if she can get through and i think she can. Good for her.

Arric choked on a laugh and gave Eshe sideeye. She def is. I can't tell if she jates my guts or i annoy her. And i have never seen her smile. But her mom was much the same.

Arlette was a child-rearing force to be reckoned with, and Eshe admired her for it—especially if she had managed to help raise Cygnet. I think she can, too, she agreed. I know I've tried and failed.

The mention of Moss brought a frown to her face. I didn't really know her, she admitted. What was she like?

Arric could sing the praises of the white healer for fays, but he also knew it was impolite. And arlette may not appreciate him talking about her nonstop.

Arric frowned in thought. Quiet, apathetic. She barely ever showed her emotions. Honestly I'm not even sure she had any but anger. But she wasn't meam. Mostly just reserved i think. Akavir would know more. She saved his life you know.

He veered to the left as he caught sight of some hoof prints. Now gotta be careful and don't let them go up the mountain we'd never get them back.

I didn't know that, Eshe admitted; she'd have to ask Akavir more about Moss when they returned home.

There were fresh hoof prints on the ground, and she slowed as Arric advised what needed to happen. Got it, she said, looking up at him with a stern nod. How do you want to do this? I chase, and you kill?

[
He nodded. Yea something about almost drowning or hunger or something. I can't remember the whole story off the top of my head.

Which wasn't true, but there had been a lot about his former wife in that story and that was for Akavir to tell Eshe not his best friend.

That's fine by me. Shouldn't take long if we can corner it away from a spot it can climb.

Gotcha, she said, intrigued by the story. I'll ask him about it some time. There was a lot of lore about Swiftcurrent Creek that she still didn't know about. She felt knowing its history would be beneficial for her understanding of the group, namely why they were a bunch of assholes.

The trail veered to the left, and Eshe followed until she saw their target munching on a bush. There was a forest surrounding most of it, where it could quickly get away, but to its right, the mountain's base began. She paused and looked at Arric, silently deferring to his lead.

IF it was lore she wanted, Arric could help her from his father's memories, but then once his father memories petered out. It would have to be taken up by Akavir. Who if Arric's memory served. His family had lived in the creek for awhile. That was why he wanted to reclaim it.

Arric veered to the left and motioned for her to go right. Be careful and try and drive them from the mountainside, but wait until I am in position or I won't be able to catch it.

He slunk low and in a wide arc, downwind so that his smell wouldn't float back to the creature eating the spraggly bush.

She nodded to his instructions and watched silently as he slunk away. She would only begin to move once he was in position, and, from what she could see, he was still moving towards where they'd take down the prey.

Arric made it and with a slight dip of his head. He signaled for her to herd. Then with a burst of speed and his larger body colliding with the creature. Teeth and claws and fur. His teeth found the pulse point with a savage growl and he dug his teeth into it. His heels into the ground and jerked to pull the creature down while Eshe tired it.

A slight wound above his eye bled from where the creature had caught him briefly with it's horn. Nothing to terrible mind you, but enough to obscure his vision with the blood.

Hunting and healing :D

Eshe lept at Arric's command and began to herd the animals towards him. She went wide as she corralled them, keeping herself between the mountain and the goat as she nipped at their heels. Shortly after she'd given chase, Arric appeared, leaping from his hiding place and caught one unaware; Eshe went low, hoping to trip it as it fell.

As they worked together, a new smell surfaced: wolf's blood. Quickly, she looked over and noticed that he'd been injured. He seemed well enough to continue the finishing blow, but she made a mental note to check on it as soon as they were done taking down the goat.

A soft pant after the creature lay dead. Eshe had done well. Ahe had managed to keep it away, herd it well and hwlp him to tag twam it. Hegace a nod.

He yawned and shifted so his right side of his face was tipped down,  the left up so it didn't bleed as bad. The wound right above hia eye, but not the eye itself thank god. Another scar to add to hia collection.

Well done. he spoke

They'd done it; the goat was dead. Thanks. You too, Eshe panted, looking at Arric intently. Now that they were still, she could see that the wound was above his eye. She was thankful it hadn't struck lower; he could have easily lost his vision today.

Can I help you clean that up? she asked, taking a tentative step towards him. I have some spiderwebs at home that we can use to patch it up.