Firestone Hot Springs some feelings, they can travel too

sorry for the wait

His adventure today had started along the borders of home. The breeze had been icy and strong, blowing against him and flattening his pale fur hard against his body; it was almost enough to make him rethink his exploration and find something to do somewhere warmer that blocked the wind. But he was stubborn and refused to chicken out so easily. His "patrol" had taken him farther north than he normally went and one particularly strong breeze brought a very strange smell with it. It was interesting and foul, and he had to know what sort of creature made such a stench.

He abandoned the borders and set out against the direction of the wind. He wasn't too sure where to go, but the smell was getting stronger, which must be a good sign. It wasn't too long of search, thankfully, but he was confused by what he found. When the smell seemed to completely surround him, he knew he must be in the right place, but he saw no rotting animal or anything else that seemed gross enough to give off such a scent. Steam moved slowly up from the water, the heat of it warming the fur on his face as he peered down into the pool in front of him. It was inviting on such a cold day, but then he realized that it was the water that smelled so strange. He eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. Why did it smell like that? He certainly wouldn't want to drink it. He had no more time to ponder the strange pool, though; the sound of splashing and talking made him turn around in his spot. He hadn't initially been aware of anyone else here. His heart began to beat hard in his chest as he tried to find the source of the noise. He saw two forms far in the distance ahead of him. They looked to be playing in the water, another thing he definitely didn't want to do in the strange pools. 

He was curious, though, enough to pull him forward towards the strangers. He paused a safe distance away and watched. Forgetting his manners and that he was outnumbered by these strangers, he asked: Aren't you afraid that smell will stick to your fur forever? His tone suggested that he most definitely would not be okay with that.