Swiftcurrent Creek Get some gravel in your claws

No problem, nice to see you back! Looks like Phoenix and Clock will get along great :)

His gray ears rotated attentively in Phoenix's direction as the wolf explained about the nature of the river's current. Well, that certainly did make sense, and he was inclined to agree, but still - he had no intention of plunging straight into the river without knowing for sure. Even though he was not the most adept swimmer, Clock had swum through rivers before... albeit only ones that were well-known to be safe to pass through.

Before he could open his mouth to make some sort of protest/excuse, his new hunting companion saved him the embarrassment by jumping boldly into the cold, fresh water, demonstrating that the water was shallow enough in his area to stand. Clock wagged his tail eagerly and then jumped down into the water after the ruddy-colored wolf. He felt his breath leave him a single gasp at the knife-chill of the dark water, and he too found himself involuntarily shaking the freezing water from his head and nape. It came up past his shoulders, causing his head to go fully under when one of his forelegs would lose purchase on the slippery river rocks beneath him. After steadying himself and getting used to the pull of the river, his kohl-lined amber eyes rolled over to look at Phoenix. "L-l-l-lets go," he said, teeth chattering at the cold. He made for the far side of the creek, struggling to keep his head above the water as he went. As he neared the center of the river, the river bed beneath plunged a few more inches and Clock soon found that he was only able to scrape his nails across the tops of the river rocks. Taking a deep breath, he swam powerfully ahead, his forelegs splashing frantically in a cyclical doggy-paddle motion. He could feel a bit of a current pulling at him, but before it sucked him too far down stream, he made it safely to the other side and crawled out of the water, feeling the weight of it falling from his dense fur in sloughs. He briefly shook himself then spun back around to make sure Phoenix was getting out alright too.