Otter Creek My love, she keeps me warm

Although the hunger continued to chafe at her stomach, the anger began to seep out of Turquoise as they walked along the creek. Exhaustion took its place, as well as the beginnings of guilt. She shot Rivet several sideways glances, her gem-like gaze softening each time. How could she have spoken to Rivet like that, treated her that way? Within ten minutes, Turquoise loathed herself.

"Riv," she said even as Rivet said, "Over here." Turq let out a breath and followed her partner away from the creek and into the brush. They soon came across a slain porcupine lying on the ground, its wounds still weeping. The scent of cougar hung thick on the air and, like Rivet, it made Turquoise extremely wary.

"Why did it leave its kill here? Maybe it couldn't deal with the quills?" Turquoise muttered wonderingly, eyes darting around as she lifted her smudged muzzle to sniff the air. Her tail flicked, stiff as a poker, and her ears quivered, straining to hear the big cat's soft footfalls should they come this way. "Let's grab it and get out of here, Riv," she said under her breath, exchanging a look with her lover and motioning for Rivet to pick up the carcass.

Once they cleared the brush and returned to the stream, Turquoise broke into a trot to put distance between themselves and the place where they'd found the dead porcupine. When she felt reasonably safe, Turq then spun around on a stockinged heel to face Rivet. The sylph's mouth was currently carefully stuffed with the carcass, so it was the perfect opportunity for Turq to speak.

"I'm sorry I'm a giant bitch and that you have to deal with me when I get in my moods," she began. "I don't know why I get like that. I'm sorry, Riv. Do you forgive me?" She frowned, sincerely worried about whether Rivet would forgive her at all, not to mention this quickly. "Please forgive me, love," she pleaded in a softly beseeching voice.