Noctisardor Bypass Moving On Out?

@Mahler

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It had rained earlier in the day and the smell lingered in the air. It was pleasant and calming. Not only in smell but in temperature. Summer arrived not too long ago and with it the heat. Calcifer began to dread his large dark coat. It beaconed the sun's rays and held onto them even when he attempted to retreat into the shade. But today the clouds had blocked out the sun and brought a cooling wash of rain into the Bypass. Calcifer had spent the morning under shelter, but close to the entrance to feel the breeze and hear the relaxing sound.

Now that the rain had subsided he lifted his enlarged body and stretched. Taking his first steps out of the shelter he could feel the slight moisture remaining rush between his paw pads as he walked towards the river. He went to his usual spot and leaned down to get a drink, dipping his paws in as he did. It was a routine task, one that he had done many times and could easily do with his eyes closed. Very little was out of the ordinary except the occasional colorful pebble that found its way downstream. 

Today his eyes settled on one the color of cloudy white smoke. Yet looking at it, something didn't feel right.