Greatwater Lake 'cause i don't believe in the things that i do

forward dated a bit in zeph's timeline but doesn't have to be for @Riley's, im flexible LOL <3

The healing process has always seemed a sluggish, agitated fever dream to Zephyr. A nightmare in which all your enemies surround you and all your punches fall too slow, too soft, feathers against cotton. That infuriating silent helplessness, that slow-burning rage, has left him restless, unable to settle the way he knows he should. He finds himself wandering in spite of his need for rest, away from his companions again — though not quite as far. He's careful to stay within calling distance, anxious about the distance between them even as it conflicts with his desire for it.
The view of the lake is worth it, at least. He keeps his distance for now, uncertain how the water may affect his still-closing wounds, though he longs to get closer. A chilly swim sounds perfect right about now, if only to soothe the heated itch in his neck and shoulder, and perhaps calm the angry swelling at the base of his tail. But the fear of infection continues to hold him back, along with an acute awareness of his own weakness. He'd come close to dying, he knows; he's done that often enough to recognize it by now. It will take time to regain his strength, and age has tempered his recklessness enough to keep him from pushing himself too far too fast.

A spectre hung back along the water; Riley studied the waif curiously. A slimlined build, intersected by the scent of what he could only guess was slow-healing wounds.

Drawn from the water he'd been supping by Zephyr's presence, Riley placed his gaze along the silver-arc of Zephyr's frame -- interested, but not enough to move from his spot along the bank.

His wandering brings him within sight of another — a stout dark boy with fur like freshly churned earth, sun-bleached to chocolate tones on the surface layers and saturated to midnight hues below. Intriguing enough to draw him in further, slowly, chuffing to gauge a reaction to his presence. Closer now, fierce eyes capture his attention; the sun itself flaring within, the crackle of scathing predatory brutality. Hello, He offers simply, guarded yet curious. He's torn between an all too common attraction, and a growing wariness, but for now he favors neither. First, he'll see what kind of person this stranger is.

Zephyr may not be in luck -- Riley didn't even know what kind of person he was.

As Riley lifted his chin from the bank, water dribbled along his muzzle. He recognized a change in the other; he'd been spotted, and now the wolf with mercury fur was studying him in a manner that called back to a more wary nature.

Riley stood straight, feeling something stir along his spine. The wolf before him was too small for him to think he was in danger, but Riley's instinct had lead him astray more than once. "Hi." Riley returned unevenly, equally guarded. "Who are you?"

Tiny Post to get things moving again

His wariness is met in kind; he'd expected no less. At least the boy has enough manners for introductions. Zephyr, He offers, with no outward response to the stranger's bristling. You?

The bristle of fur along his nape and spine were involuntary, but Riley noted Zephyr did not reply in kind. It would take a few moments for his fur to settle, but at least he had some indication this wolf was not hostile.. Not outwardly, anyway.

A lull between them as Riley processed the name, coupled with a question of his own handle in return. "Zep-' He stopped mid-thought, realizing somewhere the wires had crossed. "Riley." He had nothing else to offer, and his cheeks burned with resentment for his fumble; Riley fell to burning silence.

The slip does not go unnoticed, but Zephyr gives no reaction; the first thing he feels, strangely, is a flash of sympathy, and this keeps him from acknowledging it. He knows what it's like to say the wrong thing. Nice to meet you, Riley, He tosses out the formality with all the defiant indifference befitting his youthful outcast persona, yet there is a certain comradery in it, a subtle invitation to join the equally-subtle mockery. Just two kids sticking it to the man with irony, or something like that. His next words are far more genuine, tinged with the barest hint of curiosity. What're you doing out here?

It was a good thing Riley didn't catch the sympathy. Just like every insecure boy, Riley loathed pity and would have taken it poorly. He started as Zephyr spoke in a tone that was something he couldn't quite place. It took several more moments before he realized that Zephyr was making a mockery of adults and their mein -- Riley had nearly missed it.

If it weren't for the second question, which confirmed Zephyr was not totally disinterested in him, the joke would have flown over his head like a Blackhawk gunning for port. "I was just walking." He didn't really want to divulge that sometimes he felt like leaving and just walking until his feet grew tired. "You?"

He didn't stick around much longer, even though Zephyr had a certain gravitas that lured him in. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, Riley made his leave to return to scouting for Orlaith.

Fading this, since I am shelving Riley. <333