Blacktail Deer Plateau Family Comes First

Here we go my siblings! -insert evil laugh-

He missed the snow. As they decended from the north the snow began to melt, the seasons changing at an exhilarated rate. Winter disappeared faster than Siarut had thought possible. He had lost track of how many weeks the three siblings had been traveling, he guess anywhere from six to eight weeks. Their sisters scent was difficult to track in the changing season, the water carrying her scent in different directions, or removing it altogether. 

 "I hate it here already."

The pale, green eyed, brute complained. He wasn't normally one to complain, especially to his brother and sister, but he was finding the change of scenery difficult to cope with. His white fur a stark contrast to the rest of their surroundings, making it difficult for the male to blend in. 

He looked over at his younger siblings, glad for the company. "You don't honestly think she would stay in this suffocating place do you guys?" @Tahani knew their sister as well as he did, and so his questions was directed at her, however he was also attuned to his younger brother and so decided to include the wild @Tomkin. 

The large pale ghost took a moment to pause at the creek that was making its way through the overgrown forest. Quenching his growing thrist and hoping to abate the insufferable heat.

back date to May 4, 2018

He had seen more trees in the past few weeks than he had seen in his life. Bounding through their shadows, Tomkin grinned, his green eyes dancing. He hadn't had this much freedom since, well, since ever. Getting exiled wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. No more early morning risings, no more barked orders, no more scowls directed his way by his dad as he only did the minimum to get him off of his back. 

It was warmer than he was used to, but the scenery was worth it. His older brother's words reached him, and he trotted over to him, a small smirk on his face. He meant no harm, but getting under his skin just a tiny bit always made his smile bigger. His voice was a deep tenor as his head tilted, looking at his brother. Complaining already? Now what would dad say? Pausing for a second, he shook and stepped towards the  water, a half hearted thought passing his  lips. It's not as suffocating as back home. Besides the heat, I don't know why she wouldn't. Dipping his head, he wondered again where she could be, the cool water refreshing.

The water felt good against his tongue, for the moment he could forget the heat. Glancing at his annoying brother and just shook his head,  "Dad would never be in this situation, now would he?" He stated it as a matter of fact. There father wasn't a topic Sia wanted to talk about. Dispite his abuse and overdearing obsession Siarut still loved their father. Even if Sia could no longer follow him as he had in the past.

 "This place is strange, I doubt I will ever get used to it." He watched the boy beside him dip his head to the water.  "Why did you do it?" Siarut felt the words drip from his mouth, felling wrong for letting them slip. He wanted to know. Was Tomkin in love? Or was it just to get a rise out of their parents?  "Did you think you loved her?" Perhaps a little callous on his part, insensitive maybe, but he expected an answer none the less.

Siarut was right--this place was pretty terrible. a lot to get used to, all at once. the novelty of grass beneath her paws had worn off, and she found herself hot and miserable, trailing behind the guys. she was glad to stop for a drink, dipping her head to lap gracefully at the chilly water. so crisp against her tongue.

not so gracefully, tahani splashed down into the water, coming up to her belly in the deepest part of the creek. laughing softly to herself, she let herself float and began to paddle around, enjoying the feeling of being cool for the first time in days. it was only when her brother's acerbic remarks reached her ears that she stopped, planting her feet and lifting her head.

"stop, Sia," she chided, tiny sparkling droplets of water falling from her chin. "what's done is done. all that matters now is finding Shivali." she gave herself a shake, hoping to avoid spraying her brothers in the process, and stepped out of the creek, nosing at the greenery that lined the rocks along the shallows.

As his brother mentioned his dad, the younger pale one lifted his head and made a slight grunting noise. No, dad would never be in this situation. He'd never be exiled, never be pushed out by his own father. His sense of duty and pride of following the rules had taken care of that. A bitter taste settled in his mouth, and he once again took a drink of the clear liquid. As the question was posed to him, he paused. About to open his mouth, Tahani splashed through the water, making him grin.

Watching her shake, he glanced up at his brother, knowing he'd still want an answer. He wasn't going to tell him how many times he had wondered the same thing. Did he love her? After being apart for weeks,  he thought he knew the answer, but only to the second question. Following after his sister, he jumped into the clear water, not caring, even hoping, that the others would get splashed. He grinned cheekily at his brother then pulled himself out and shook enthusiastically. It's ok, Tahani. He's more like Dad every day, don't you think? Turning to him, he tilted his head, the playfulness in his voice turning serious for a moment. I was really fond of her, and if I had stayed, it might have been love, but no...I didn't love her as one should love a mate. Shaking again, his tail wagged slightly. So I guess that kind of answers your first question, too. Come on, brother. We need to find Shiv. She's close. I can feel it.

Bounding ahead, he did feel she was close, her scent, once faint and unsteady, had grown stronger and more noticeable every day. He wanted to put the past behind him, and he hoped he would drop it for now, although his brother's persistence had always been high. Perking his ears forward, he winked at his sister and leaped easily over a fallen tree, disappearing over it, the lightheartededness back in his voice as he threw it over his shoulder, a hint of bitterness as he used the saying their dad used in the mornings when they (mostly him) didn't want to get up before the sun even thought of rising. Come along, my siblings. The day is still young. We might find her today if you don't drag your tails.

Tahani had always been more reasonable than himself, a trait he admired, but he asked for a reason. Whether she wanted to know or not it was up to Tomkin if he wanted to answer the question. He took a few steps back lifting his head out of the way of her splash, preferring to stay dry. If Tomkin had no intention of answering Sia would have let it go, for the moment, especially after Tahani's reprimand. 

He wasn't surprised by the snark, Siarut had expect the rebuke from the younger boy, however the statement itself stung more than Sia would ever let on. He had often heard his mother saying the same words Tomkin had spoken, however the difference was obvious. The mother believed Sia being like their father was a good thing. Tomkin did not. The pale man knew it was an insult, and insult the Sia would do his best to ignore. He had no comment in return only a subtle glare, hiding the hurt. 

Siarut wasn't sure he understood his brothers impulse. Although he assumed that this impulse to leap before looking was how his brother garnered the name "wild child". For now he accepted Tomkin's explanation of his romantic emotions. He couldn't find the right words, emotions weren't really his strong suit. With a nod of his head he followed his siblings into the water and across the creek.

The white pelted beast followed the boy over the log, rolling his eyes at the similar phrase. "She could be anywhere. We have been following her scent for weeks now Tomkin. Shivali may have already moved on from this area. We shouldn't get our hopes up." He hoped his other sister were near, her absence had been painfully obvious in the last few months. He missed her, but he tried to prevent his hopes from climbing to high. It was possible they would never find her.

Tomkin's splash sent water her way, and she blinked it from her eyes, smiling at his remark, though careful not to outright laugh. she walked a fine line, a tightrope, in interacting with both the serious Siarut and lighthearted Tomkin. Tahani herself was sweet, almost unassuming, her voice melodious and chiming. though her build was one of a warrior princess, her head and heart had always been devoted to care and comfort, and it was her job both to look after her brothers and to make sure they didn't butt skulls too hard.

she listened to Tomkin's explanation, pondering it. she herself had never been in love; she wasn't sure what that felt like, really. was it different from the love she felt for her family? stronger, more intense? she couldn't think of anything stronger than the pull she felt toward her blood, the same pull that had dragged her paws to this hellish hot place in search of Shivali. yet all the tales she'd heard of romance were full of burning desire, hearts joined as one. it was a feeling she couldn't even grasp.

with a sigh, Tahani abandoned her quest for herbs and followed, clambering over the log and rolling her eyes at her brother's matter-of-fact statement. he was right, she knew--but it did no good to bring Tomkin's head down from the clouds, not now. not when they all were miserable.

"you're right, Tom--we're getting closer," she said with a smile, racing up to affectionately nudge her head against his shoulder. she'd always been fond of her kid brother, even if his near-sightedness was why they found themselves in this predicament in the first place. "her scent has gotten stronger and stronger. soon, we will all be together again."

Knowing his comment would sting his brother, he was pleased that it had gotten him off his back for now at least. His brother's answer didn't surprise him, and he just huffed amusedly. Her sister spoke, and it made him grin as he nuzzled her back. She had always been what he would call the kind of peace keeper. Wagging his tail, he nodded at her words and glanced back at his brother, a small smirk on his face, although no menace was in it. After all, he was his closest brother. Her scent has gotten stronger and more frequent. Have a little hope, brother. His tone was encouraging, and he hoped it would soothe over the prick he had given him earlier. Turning back around, he started trotting, his spirits high.

Sia could only roll his eyes, apparently he was the realist of the group. Although he couldn't deny that they were probably right. Her scent had been getting stronger, perhaps they were right. He could only grunt at their statements. Not willing to admit possible defeat. 

Sia could only shake his head at the boys antics. He made no effort to quickin his pace. While it was easy to shrug off Tomkin's earlier words, Sia held his tongue. It was sometimes easier to bite his own tongue then it was to argue with his brother. For now they would follow the scent of their sister.

she looked over at Tomkin, a devilish glint in her eyes. "race you," she dared, laughter in each short, clipped word. without another warning, she shot foward, a white blur. her paws scrabbled a bit; it was much different than running on ice and snow, but she soon found her footing, and galloped across the open land, not wanting to look back and have the moment spoiled by her brother catching up to her.

the wind whistling past her body cooled her down, a bit, even though exertion would soon take its toll. she was content with playing for now; Shivali was close--they would find her soon, certainly! playing took her mind off all that had transpired in the past moons. and she had not been able to play for so long, having to hold everyone's emotions together.

this felt good.

As the two words crossed his sister's muzzle, he was taken aback momentarily, as her withdrawn attitude the past few days had apparently broken. Grinning, he let her have a few seconds before his muscles coiled, and he sprang after her, his feet also quickly finding grip. The warm wind flew past his ears, and his eyes focused on his sister. He was glad she wasn't withdrawn right now, loving when his siblings acted a bit more like him. Her paws were fast, but he was catching up swiftly. Surging forward, he playfully nipped at her side as he caught up to her, and with a twinkle in his eye, shoved his body into hers, wanting to wrestle.

Another eye roll was solicited from the brute. With a sigh Siarut followed at a slower pace, choosing not to get involved in his siblings antics. He had no desire to fool around, prefering to make sure they were still following the trail of their lost sister. He could hear their paws getting further and further away.

feel free to skip sia next round, he will be trailing behind

sure enough, Tomkin caught up soon enough, and she laughed as he nudged her, clearly wanting to play further. with a mock snarl, she twisted her head to grab his scruff, slowing to a trot and tugging him back with her. tail wagging, she let him go and backed up, smacking her forepaws on the ground in a challenge.

"bring it on," she giggled, raising her brows. she darted to and fro before lunging low towards Tomkin, aiming to sweep him off his feet and get him on his back.

Tahani wasn't the best fighter around, but her size and family heritage gave her some advantage. of course, fighting against her brother was no testament to this--but against one of these smaller southern wolves, she might prove a formidable foe.