Firestone Hot Springs the boy who flew away

For @Whip! A certain companion of his is welcome to join at any time as well... :) I'm not positive when this occurs in Met's timeline, but I'm hazarding a guess that it's forward-dated a few days. ^^

Meteora loathed to move inland where the comfort of the ocean's breeze would be absent, but the area was riddled with claims. She did not yet trust them, and so the desire to remain safe dictated that she and her followers remain close to one another as they made their way through the labyrinth of free territories these packs had left behind. She had commanded that they stay in the fields on the opposing side of the forest as she moved cautiously through a narrow zone where forest met glacier. It would have been better, perhaps, to demand that @Astraios go on this risky scouting mission— but she was a proud, strong woman and did not trust that he would return from it alive.

The stench of this place was nearly too much for her, as much as she was used to the strong scents of the ocean. She moved carefully through the springs on high alert, for the sulfur weakened her sense of smell, and the bursts of steam made it difficult to isolate sound.

Whip had not been there during his mother's final moments. In fact, he had been the last to learn of her death. The news didn't travel his way until Fox was well in the ground. It was the way she would have wanted it, he surmised. Even still, it made Whip feel that he was on the outside looking in -- much as he had felt for most of his life. He didn't stick around to see his new siblings nor did he make any grand goodbyes to his remaining family. So, he left the place of his birth, hoping to find whatever it was that he was looking for elsewhere.

But Whip did not leave alone.

For two days, he and his companion traveled. And for those two days, Whip had not taken any of Raven's miracle powder. Withdrawl set in fast. The first day had been easy enough; slight nausea, a headache. The second, however, was a waking nightmare. He felt clammy, his head throbbed with pain, and lastly, Whip couldn't hold his breakfast down no matter how hard he tried. The sulphiric smell in the air didn't help any.

The boy was obviously distraught as he slowly dragged himself to the threshold of a spring. He slumped over, heaved, and subsequently lost the contents of his lunch into the water.

Meteora didn't see him until she had nearly stepped on his prone form, and when she found him a quick scan of the area told her that he was alone— for the moment, at least. He didn't look well, and the siren nearly moved on without a word because of it. She had no use for sick wolves in her growing number, and yet... they were awfully low on consorts. After a moment of consideration, the woman chuffed softly to earn his attention. She had mastered the art of being falsely saccharine, as much as men of all ages disgusted her— it was a sign of their weakness that they were so easily manipulated and misled.

"Filth," she cooed, falsely sweet in her native language before shifting to common, "We must find you some fresh water."

A chuff sounded behind him, but before Whip could turn, he heaved once more. His stomach lurched, twisting into knots, but the boy was ultimately empty. The taste of vomit was still fresh of Whip's tongue. He then turned to the woman behind him. Her voice was sweet and motherly. It inspired a strange comfort within Whip that he felt was akin to that of his own sister, Raven. Maybe she was a healer too. Maybe she knew what to do. He nodded his head. Okay.

Following her suggestion, Whip rose to his feet and wobbled as he did. His footing was weak, but he soon stood. Whip muttered a grateful, "Thank you," before falling in line to be led to water.

It's going to be just us. <3

She knew that freshwater lay behind her, but it was too far for them to travel with the boy so weak— and so Meteora took her chances, weaving slowly through the geysers in the hope that there would be a pond or river from which he could drink. Had she been more familiar with hot springs, she would have known their waters were safe to drink despite the overwhelming smell. "Where do you come from, óa psarión?" she queried with a voice of lilting alto. "For how long have you been sick?"

He did not look well now and returning him to health would take time, but she thought he would make a fine consort— and this easily beguiled, perhaps he would be easily broken, too. The Sea would make him strong, and when he was of age, might grant the Nereides with strong daughters.

First post of the new year :P

Whip followed behind in silence, as his focus was directed completely at staying upright. He did his best to keep up, but he couldn't help but feel like everything was moving in slow motion. Even the solid ground beneath him felt unstable. He was a ship in a stormy sea. "S-south," he managed to mutter through the dizzy spell. "Redhawk Caldera. My parents were the alpha pair, but they're—" With everything buzzing inside of Whip's head, he found it hard to process the loss of both of his parents. "But they're gone now." There was no home to go back to, that was clear.

As for his mystery affliction, "It started after I left. I dunno why." Raven had never told him there were side effects to his liberal use of her poppy powder, so he couldn't attribute his withdrawal symptoms to the drugs. To Whip, it was a passing sickness, and while miserable, it was nothing to panic over.