Whitebark Stream mulberry

@Ridgeback or @Anselm :o?

the caribou grazed in uneasy peace, their breath clouding the cold air, ever wary of threats unseen. she matched their stillness, her body low to the ground, blending with the frost-touched earth.

the season’s turn was near—she could feel it, sharp and restless in her bones. staying close to the herd was wise; to wander further would risk crossing paths with males from outside. their attention, unwelcome, was a danger she would not invite.

her ears swiveled at every sound, her focus unbroken. her purpose here was twofold: survival and vigilance. she could not afford distraction, not now, not with so much at stake.

Ridgeback had to wonder if the caribou had simply accepted their relationship with the wolves. At first, he'd thought it more parasitic than anything- the wolves followed the caribou, preying on they weak, old, and wounded, picking away at their numbers and following them without respite. He realized as time went on that they were helping to keep a balance; the strong would survive. The wolves killed the weak, those who might be more susceptible to disease, those that might spread illness among the herd. 

But to live in fear, constantly hunted? No. Even if the relationship was mutually beneficial, he'd still choose to be on the predatory side, every time. 

If he watched them for too long, he became anxious. Restraint was difficult- and while he knew that he should rest, and that he could not simply chase the damn animals around all the time, his instincts were strong, and urged him to chase chase chase! all the time. His jaws chattered as he watched the animals, calm as they were. 

For being the predatory creature, he was vastly more visibly anxious. 

He'd been staring for- well, he wasn't sure for how long- when he decided he should move. His joints crackled as he lifted himself from his crouch, an indication that he'd been prone for too long, though he became supple easily, as he snaked his way along the outskirts of the herd. 

He thought to track down Ice Diver, pester her for a bit of attention, when he spotted one of their newest members, diligently watching the herd. She was Sun Eater's wife, brought home from Swiftcurrent Creek- and while he had been a part of her liberation, he had spent little time with her. Something about her being Sun Eater's wife made him think he should not seek her attention, lest the chieftan entertain suspicions. Still- he was a social creature, and a curious one to boot. He approached quietly, a wave in his tail asking if she might tolerate his company for the time being.

k'edghildza’s ear flicked toward the soft crunch of snow, her gaze shifting from the caribou to the wolfdog approaching with cautious intent. ridgeback, she recalled, though his name still sat unfamiliar on her tongue. his posture was wary, tail signaling curiosity but tempered by restraint.

she offered him a measured smile, her tail swaying once in a gesture of calm reassurance.

you’ve no reason to be frightened, she murmured, her voice low and steady, though her eyes remained sharp, watchful of his movements. i do not bite.

she turned her gaze back to the herd, their movements slow and unbothered, a stark contrast to the tension radiating from the wolfdog.

they are at peace. she continued, gesturing lightly with her muzzle toward the caribou. you could be, too.

her tone carried no judgment, only quiet observation, an invitation for him to settle and share in the stillness of the moment if he wished.

Frightened? His lips pulled together and he tilted his head so sharply at the suggestion that one of the caribou flinched, and turned to look in his direction. I'm not frightened, he blurted, though the rush of his words wouldn't make him very convincing. His sentience was slightly latent, and only a moment later he realized, ashamedly, that he still had his shepherd-stare on. His ears flitted back in an apology, and he chuckled softly.

He tilted his head back to where it should be and padded toward her at a smoothe, collie-walk, his eyes just as bright as they had been before, though his tail waved more freely. He glanced toward the caribou, who seemed aware they were now being watch by two, but content to go on with life regardless. I am at peace, mostly, He said with a faint smile. My face just...Looks the way it looks, He said, and shrugged one tight shoulder. He, of course, did not realize that it wasn't just his face that was tense. Such things did not occur to the dog part of him which had no off switch. 

One of the caribou snorted. With a glance, he knew which one it was. That one, he said with a brief jut of his chin, About knocked the wind out of me a couple weeks ago. He said as he sank to the ground beside the chieftan's wife. I think he's got it out for me, Not the words of a peaceful wolf at all, but he smiled hungrily nevertheless. His days are numbered.

tag for mention

the lanzadoii wife's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile, softening the edges of her usually sharp demeanor. ridgeback’s bluntness was oddly endearing, and she found herself enjoying the ease of his company.

no wonder @Ice Diver chose you, she said, her tone laced with amusement. you’re funny. she tipped her head, hazel eyes gleaming as she regarded him.

her gaze flicked toward the caribou he mentioned, and she chuckled lightly. that one has good instincts then, she teased, settling herself more comfortably beside him. you and my husband can make quick work of him, i'm sure.

pausing for a moment, her smile softened into something more genuine. how have you been doing, ridgeback, is it? her voice carried genuine curiosity, a rare warmth slipping through. the herd, the work, all of it—it doesn’t tire you?

No wonder Ice Diver chose you.
He blinked. It took less than a fraction of a second for him to think back and recall how their relationship had been forged at least partially as an attempt to keep Sun Eater from taking her for a wife. At the time, it had seemed like he'd been saving her from a fate that she might endure with a great deal of suffering- now that his opinion of the chieftan had improved, he caught himself wondering from time to time if Ice Diver might have been better off...But she seemed happy enough with their situation and as for him, and it was a decision he would never regret. 

Suliya had commented on Ice Diver's fortune as well. He seemed to be capable of making a good impression. Either that, or they actually thought he was punching above his weight, and were just being nice.

That's meeee, the funny guy, He said, though he wasn't sure if she meant he was amusing or odd. Maybe she meant odd...She probably did. It would have been an insult to Ice Diver's intelligence to think she'd agreed to marry him if he was a complete dolt, though, so he tried to play it cool, and roll with the compliments. 

Nevertheless, he was relieved when the topic switched back to the caribou. He looked back to the surly bull, whose pace remained slightly hindered from their attack. He narrowed his eyes. All in good time, He half-whispered, like a creepy cartoon character.

He snapped out of his villain-era when she asked how he was doing. Oh, yeah, nah, this is great for me, He admitted. I'd go stupid mad if I didn't have something to be at all the time, He recalled his early days, and the numerous sheep he had slaughtered because he hadn't had anywhere productive to focus his energy and because it had been so damn easy. His mind topic-jumped to the sheep, a blanket of a herd of them in mossy green pastures, a memory so vivid it nearly made him drool. I miss eating sheep, though. Caribou's great, don't get me wrong- but I kinda prefer mutton. he admitted. What about you? You tired of caribou meat yet? He asked jokingly.

she tilted her head, her smile lingering as ridgeback spoke. his honesty, paired with the humor that seemed so natural to him, was something she found refreshing. he didn’t shy away from sharing, even if it veered into unexpected territory.

ah, yes, she said, her tone light, a touch of amusement coloring her voice. he is proud to be funny! she gestured toward the distant caribou herd with a subtle flick of her muzzle. it is what we have, and it keeps us strong. her gaze returned to him, thoughtful. mutton, though? i have not tried it. perhaps one day, i will.

she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly in mock seriousness. not yet. i suppose it is different when you’ve hunted it yourself. a soft chuckle escaped her, and she returned her focus to the task at hand, but her curiosity about the wolfdog lingered in her expression. ridgeback had a way of making even the mundane feel animated.

Likewise, he felt comfortable beside the woman who had a sense of humour that wasn’t too dry or sparse, and who seemed perhaps less serious than the others of Saatsine. It reminded him of how life had been when he’d been young, living in the foothills of the Rockies, and he had had others his age to goof off with. 

Of course, it had been their stupidity that had made everything go to hell in a hand basket- but he still felt that goofing off every now and again was the best way to pay homage to his fallen friends. 

Oh, you will, He promised her. When I first joined- well, when Sun Eater started the pack- I was known as “Sheep Killer.” We’re headed back to Qeya River, where this all kind of started, where him and me and Ice Diver, Kekoa and Anselm first kinda got together- and there were lots of sheep to hunt there. Wild ones. He clarified. 

So, He said, You’re gonna have sheep, ‘cause I’m gonna catch ‘em. He said with a grin.

starhewn wife let out a soft laugh, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned slightly toward him. sheep killer? sounds like i should’ve been scared to meet you, she teased, her tone light, though the playful smirk on her lips softened the jab. but i suppose i’m lucky, having someone so... experienced with sheep on my side.

she flicked her tail lazily, the humor lingering in her expression, but there was a shift in her tone as she tilted her head to look at him more earnestly.

you would hunt for me? she asked, quieter now, a faint warmth creeping into her voice.

the question wasn’t heavy, but it carried something deeper—a mix of gratitude and curiosity, her playful demeanor giving way to a rare moment of sincerity. i’ll take your sheep, she added with a soft chuckle, her eyes lingering on him for just a moment longer. but only if they’re good ones.

He shook his head and shimmied his shoulders, as if to rid himself completely of the reputation of being a dangerous man. Only if you’re a sheep in wolf’s clothing, He assured her with a wink. Some of his confidence disappeared, melting away when she flattered him. It wasn’t often that anyone other than his wife complimented him; he was surprised to realize how flustered the kind woman’s words made him feel. G’waaaan, He said, gently pawing her shoulder as a dismissal. 

He looked up, though, losing some of his embarrassment when she spoke again. Well, sure, He answered with a small shrug. I owe you and Sun Eater a wedding gift, anyway, He said. 

She accepted the offer, but set the bar high. Oh, only the fiiiiinest of sheeps, He promised wryly a laugh. I promise only the very baaaaaaaa-st. He bleated.

laughter spilled forth, a rare sound that rang like soft bells against the chill air. ridgeback’s antics were unexpected, and the absurdity of his sheepish impression caught her off guard. for a moment, her sharp features softened, her usual stoicism melting into something lighter.
you don’t owe us anything, she said firmly, though her lips still twitched with the echo of her laugh. a man like you shouldn’t feel indebted to anyone. her voice was warm, teasing, but with a thread of sincerity woven through.
she tilted her head, her gaze appraising him. besides, she added, a smirk tugging at her lips, i don't know to trust you to pick out the finest sheep. you’d probably bring us a goat just to see if we’d notice.

they are a breath of fresh air...LOVE THEM.

Oh, but-

He tried to interject, tell her about the gift that Sun Eater had given him when he and Ice Diver had announced their marriage- but her next words prompted a reply from him that came forward before he could even think about what he was saying. One eyebrow lifted, one corner of his lips pulled up. 

A man like me, eh? 
She liked him.
Was this flirting?
This felt like flirting. This definitely felt like flirting.
Shame hit him like swat across the back of the head and he uttered a brittle laugh, cleared his throat. She was joking- she didn’t even know who he was. 

Her rebuttal surprised him, and as soon as the shame gripped him, it left. Both eyebrows lifted and he shook his head, before he tilted it so suddenly to one side that one of the younger caribou bleated, in their own language-

That one’s possessed!

And just what do you have against goats?! 

The scarred bull tossed its head in agreement.

his exaggerated reactions, the tilt of his head, and the unexpected bleat of the caribou all coalesced into a moment so absurd she couldn’t help but smirk.
possessed, are you? she asked dryly, though her lips twitched at the edges, betraying her amusement. that would explain a lot.
her gaze briefly flicking to the scarred bull as it mirrored ridgeback’s dramatic energy. as for goats, she continued, lifting her chin, they’re stubborn, loud, and absolutely erratic.
her smirk widened slightly, almost daring him to argue. much like someone... she cast him a pointed look, though her tone was light, almost playful. so perhaps i should have trusted you after all!

His head jerked in the opposite direction, tilting so that his other ear nearly touched his shoulder. Possessed? He asked, blinking innocently. He rolled his eyes back in their sockets so hard it was almost audible, as he returned his head to its usual position, like a bobblehead finally settling after a hard shake. 

But then she had to call him a goat. He snorted. Awwwww, you are soft on me. Callin’ me the Greatest Of All Time, He countered, shrugging his shoulders and mustering the most innocent fluttering of eyelashes that he could manage, though it wasn’t exactly a practiced skill of his. He chuckled victoriously. 

’Course you can trust me. I’m a trustworthy man, He said, a light tone of self-mockery in his voice. Of course men called themselves trustworthy- and of course, he knew in most cases that they were full of shit for thinking such a thing. 

He glanced in her direction before he calmed, and watched the caribou again. You’re different than what I thought you’d be like, He admitted softly.

his antics had not gone unnoticed, but his words—those, she chose to address.
what did you think, ridgeback? her tone was calm, but there was an edge to it, something like a blade concealed in a sheath. that i would be stoic? war-like? submissive?
she clicked her tongue, a sharp tsk punctuating her question. sun eater knows who i am. he knows the weight i carry. the blood on my paws. he chose me for what i am, but i see what he wants, too. i chose him.
there was no boast in her words, no false humility—only a clear, unwavering declaration of her own truth. eyes narrowed slightly as they fixed on him, but the barest hint of a smirk ghosted her lips. and now you know.

At first, he thought she was honestly going to let him explain- and he prepared a small, bashful smile so that he could admit what he’d thought- but the smile was frozen when she continued, and cut in before he could utter more than Uh- but- nn- between her descriptions. 

Clearly, she didn’t want anyone to project assumptions onto her- and she wasn’t too polite to stand up for herself and ward off unwanted opinions and impressions. 

Had he truly thought she’d end up being submissive, he might have felt more humiliated. She seemed to take her reputation pretty seriously; he respected her for that. 

Mkay, well, He said, with a smug roll of his shoulder. I guess I do know now, He said, humbled. But just remember while you’re over here being your badass self with whatever weight on your shoulders, blood on your paws, that -I’m- the funny one, okay? 

He’d tipped his muzzle down so he could peer at her, as a lecturer might peep over their spectacles. Also, perhaps, to guard his throat. What was that about blood on her paws?

He chuckled. No wonder he chose you, He added, mirroring her words from earlier.

your jokes will stay with me. she said, her voice steady but with a touch of humor. her expression softened into something that might have been a smile, if not for the weight of her war-worn demeanor. even if i’m too bloodied to laugh, i’ll remember who the funny one is.
her gaze drifted briefly to the horizon, already scanning for the next herb patch she needed to find. but she lingered a moment longer, tilting her head slightly in acknowledgment. find me again, she said, her tone quieter, almost warm. and i’ll have a caribou hide ready for you. your goat jokes deserve something finer than the rocks you’re kicking around.
with a final nod, k’edghildza stepped back, her movements purposeful as she turned away from the moment they had shared. farewell, ridgeback, she called over her shoulder. give ice diver my warmth.
and with that, she was gone, her silhouette disappearing into the wild as quickly as she had come, leaving only the faint echo of her words behind.

thank you for the thread!

Blood?

Wh…Why would you be bloodied? He asked softly, barely even forming the words so that they might be comprehensible. His words fizzled out like a wick that failed to catch flame, and became more of a softly spoken thought than an actual question.

Did she know something he didn’t? He could only hope she meant that maybe, she might some day get a kick from a caribou- not that they were on the edge of some battle he didn’t know about.

Sure, Ice Diver would tell him if such a thing was coming up- wouldn’t she?

He managed a smile, though he felt lightly rattled by Keda’s comment. 

If a day came where she was bloodied, he felt certain it would not be a time for jokes. 

Oh- Sun Eater already, uh, offered us one, He said. The thing still irked him.  But sheep- I’ll get one for you, soon, He promised her. 

Blinking a few times, he dipped his head in farewell- and trotted off to find his wife, questions tickling the tip of his tongue. 

<3