Chasing Fish

Beautiful sunshine. Athena thought as she jogged along the creek. She glanced down into the transparent waters and saw glittering fish dash to and fro. Stopping abruptly, one small, yet juicy fish caught her eye. She sometimes liked to chase fish for the practice, even if not for food. She stood with her shoulders square and stared down intently into the water. Her soft brown eyes darted back and forth. Slippery little guys. She lowered herself gently, trying not to let the fish catch her gaze. Bounding into the water with a huge splash she dove for a small grey fish. Darn. Lost him. Athena was thankful that she was better at collecting herbs and smaller mammals for prey. Fish hunting wasn't her strong suit, quick as she was.

After a few more tries and a few more fails, she finally hopped out of the creek and shook herself dry. She decided to walk further through the valley and try to find a prairie dog or a chipmunk...perhaps she'd have better luck.

Hi Welcome to the Creek :)

Jace hadn't met the new female on a regular capacity yet, he had only met her at the borders when they were chasing away an intruder. He had been out walking today, the wound in his shoulder almost completely healed when he saw her. She was tiny first and foremost, Jace could probably make 3 of her and she had pretty fur that caught the sunlight and glinted off. She reminded him a bit of fox both of them were fox-like. He smiled at his unintended pun. He wasn't even sure if he knew her name. He watched her trying and failing to catch a fish and finally she gave up and then he strode forward the sunlight glinting off the inky blackness of his pelt.

He chuffed quietly Hey there I'm Jace would you like me to teach you to fish? He was not concerned that she would be nervous around him, most were until they got to know the golden heart underneath and he was a creek wolf so she didn't have to worry about that either.

Athena smiled and sighed. I'm Athena. That would be nice. I haven't had much luck myself. She hadn't spoken much to the dark wolf with strong blue eyes. She hopped gently back into the creek, enjoying the cool water on her paws. She stared down into the creek and marveled at all the tiny fishes rushing away from her. They're even quicker than I am. She said looking up at the dark wolf.

Jace shifted and with a rollicking gait he stepped into the shallows he looked up at her with a smile in his eyes and spoke quietly Yea their quick little buggars thats for sure Miss. And it's a pleasure to meet you. He looked down and then back up and waited for the silt and the dirt to settle from him pawing around and then spoke again. It's tricky to catch a fish, but once you get the hang of it it's easy. What you need to do is rather go for the shadows instead of the fish. See the light reflects differently on the water especially on a sunny day and where you think the fish are they really aren't it's a trick and their shadow is really the fish. Here watch. With that he bent a large black paw and with a quick scooping motion scooped a fish onto the bank.

He bent his head and quickly ended it's life and lay it gently down so he could carry it with him later. Do you think you got that? Want to try again?

Pleasure to meet you too. With that, Athena bent down low, keeping her eye on the shadows as Jace instructed. She wriggled her butt and bounced onto a quickly moving shadow. She happily had the fish in the grips of her teeth but somehow it wriggled free and popped back into the water. Athena laughed and looked up happily. Almost! With more practice she knew she'd be able to get the hang of it. So fishing is your specialty? She asked the dark wolf.

Jace chuckled at her exuberant display. Yes almost. he smiled at her again chuckling at the thrilled expression on her face. yes I guess you could say that. I try to be well rounded as a whole but i've always done best at fishing. Probably because for the most part growing up I was a solitary being and fishing can be a solitary sport.So tell me Athena what brings you to the creek? He was merely curious about his fellow pack mate.

There was definitely an influx of newcomers to the creek and he had to smile at it. He enjoyed meeting others and having his little adopted family grow.

Protection, mostly. I know that may sound selfish but, I knew that I would need a family, a pack to survive. I was traveling alone, well, with my brother. After he'd gone I was alone and it was ten times more difficult to make it. So, here I am. Ready to give it everything I've got. And I was received with welcome, and now I see how loyal the Creek wolves are to eachother. I like that strength. She hoped he'd understand. As she spoke she continued watching all the fishes and sometimes would bound after another one, getting closer and closer each time. She laughed with pleasure at the fun of chasing fish.

Jace shook his head at her words. That does not seem selfish at all, it is a way to survive that is all. I think you were smart to seek out a pack. Lone wolves do not last long in most cases. It was the sad truth of the matter, just walking here to this pack land on his own had been tricky and dangerous and a little bit scary. he was lucky enough to have arrived unscathed, but still it had been luck and nothing more. He could have very well perished out there.

Jace chuckled at her enthusiasm to catch the fish and he spoke quietly Though I know you are having fun you are never going to catch a fish unless yo ustand still. Just for future reference. He knew right now it was just for fun that they bounded and chased the fish in the sunshine.

Athena laughed. I know! I guess I am scaring them all away. She eventually hopped out from the creek and shook herself dry, feeling the warm sun beat down on her golden coat. Thank you for the company, Jace. Athena smiled brightly and bowed to her superior. I'll remember you for it.

He smiled at her a crooked half smile that was his trademark as he didn't smile often. You're welcome Athena. Thank you for the chance to teach yo uto fish it's something I love. He stood slowly and shook his own pelt free and spoke again Would you like me to walk you back to the pack land? he did not watn her out here alone if she didn't want to be he'd gladly keep her company to her own den or the borders whichever she would prefer.

Smiling, she nodded. That would be nice. She was happy for the chance to get to know one of her packmates on a more personal level. And Jace's show of loyalty and protection for a fellow packmate made Athena smile.

Have you been a lone wolf at all, Jace? She asked inquisitively.

Jace motioned for her to lead the way and he would step into step beside her. one of his ears flicked towards her as she spoke and he answered her softly I was a lone wolf on my way here. I am on a journey to find a last name suited just for me like all the other males in my family. It was hard and kind of scary. were you a lone wolf long?

he tilted his head waiting for her answer long legs eating up the ground swiftly, though he tried hard to slow his pace for the petite wolf beside him. She was so tiny, he was unsure how to handle it. He had not been this close to a small wolf before, Fox was tiny, but she seemed much bigger than her britches and he was never really very close with Fox usually their conversations were quick and concise and to the point.

Not so long. My brother died defending me from a large grizzly bear. After that I was on my own for about two weeks. I had no idea where I was. I was mostly in the mountains and that type of terrain is difficult to survive in, alone or not. Athena smiled. I'm happy though. Everything turned out as it should be. She never worried too much about life, because she knew everything turned out as it should in the end.

Jace frowned his heart hurt for her. I am sorry you lost your brother. My sister hopefully is still at home with our parents. If something were to happen to her I think it would kill me too. He loved his sister in all her sweetness the thought of losing her was enough to make him sick and sad.

Jace dipped his head and spoke softly I wish I was able to have such a positive outlook. I am glad you are happy Athena and I am glad you have made it here to us. he offered her one of his trademark crooked grins that lit up his blue eyes.

Sorry this is so late! -.-

Athena smiled. Glad I found you all as well. She found his blue eyes striking and lost herself in them. She walked alongside him and found they neared the packland already. She had lost track of time in their conversation. She found him very open and enjoyed their personal conversation. [/b]

Jace lifted his gaze to the borderlands and smiled again Well here we are I have some hunting to do. Welcome home Athena. I will talk to you again soon, I have some hunting to do. he dipped his muzzle at her in respect and then with another trademark grin he trotted off to do some hunting his large paws tearing up the ground.