Whitefish River up the river

pema looked a bit more wary than dawn did at his question of seeing their pack, but they both eventually acquiesced. at the very least, it was somewhere to stay through the winter. and he was able enough to do any tasks they needed him to do, once he gained more strength.

"oh, if it's not far, then yes, i'd love to go now," aditya said with a smile. "but let me do this first," he added to pema, taking ginger steps into the water before he was submerged back-deep in the stream. it was a slow, lazy current, and the crisp autumn water washing the salt from his pelt and cooling the burning of his wounds felt heavenly.

he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation, but soon popped them open with a golden flash. he feared he'd fall asleep where he stood if he kept them shut for too long. after a brief pause, he hauled himself back out of the water and, making sure he didn't spray his two new female companions, shook the excess moisture from his fur, groaned, and stretched.

"okay, ladies," aditya went on, wagging his tail. "lead the way."

i'll go ahead and fade here and start a thread in morningside soon!