Whitewater Gorge i'd rather play mortal kombat anyway

Having a bit of fun with the weather, anyone's free to join in~

He minded where he stepped in this strange place. Kalganov didn't doubt that this place was deadly but it seemed even more so by the way the waters had risen. The rapids crashed and churned with an eagerness to take anything with them. The first thought he had was to find high ground before anything began to flood — if it kept raining. This place was kind of the opposite of that but he figured this could serve as a shortcut to somewhere better.

Hugging the canyon walls Kalganov kept moving. A few small, slippery stones slipped loose from underneath his paw and tumbled down into the gorge. He couldn't stop the disinterested grunt that escaped him. This had to pay off. If he didn't plummet to his death first.

The previous day, Speedy had reveled in the serenity of the large lake she been escorted to. She had drank her fill of the fresh water and enjoyed a rabbit for dinner. The place she had wandered upon today was quite the opposite. She had followed the river and had soon found herself walking the edge of a vast canyon containing fast moving water that promised to carry her away if she fell in.

At one point, she had miss-judged the width between her and the other side of the canyon and had almost busted her ass jumping across. It was not one of her most graceful moments, and she was super glad no one had been around to witness it. She had definitely been more cautious in her trekking since her mishap and had decided she probably wouldn't be attempting to jump across again. 

She had been lost in her thoughts that were mostly focused on not falling in the water, but not lost enough in them to miss the shape of a pale wolf that appeared ahead of her after coming around a curve in the canyon wall. From what she see, their goal appeared to be the same: don't fall to your death. As quickly as she could manage while still keeping a stable footing, she moved towards him. When she was close enough to be able to speak to him without yelling, she said, "Sorry to ruin your leisurely walk, but you wouldn't happen to know a way out of here, would you?" She had come to the realization shorty after her very lady-like jump across the the canyon, that she really didn't want to be here anymore. Not only did she not enjoy the thought that she could plummet to her death with even the slightest misstep, but she had also noticed that the water seemed very high, and this place did not seem conducive to life in the event of a flash flood.

He sucked in a sharp breath as his lips briefly pulled back. Kalganov had very obviously not expected for someone to be here let alone actually speak to him. His ears cupped forward as he turned over to look at the stranger. A small thing with colors far earthier than his own. She was lucky she was sort of cute or he might have shoved her into the gorge. But even good looks did not guarantee anyone around him safety.

I'm trying to figure that out myself. He said before turning his gaze back ahead, still sticking close to the canyon walls. I suggest staying close. As if he was punctuating his words the pale male kicked a few loose stones into the rapids below. They quickly disappeared under the surface. Kolganov figured that would do the trick into getting the lesson across.

"Well, no shit," the words came out before she could stop them. But really, did he think she was blind or something? She probably shouldn't be snippy with the stranger she just asked for help, but she couldn't take the comment back now, so she just kept her mouth shut and waited for him to continue walking, offering him the smirk that sometimes got her out of trouble when she said things without thinking.

The smirk was soon wiped from her face when one of her front paws slipped on a few loose pebbles. It wasn't enough to cast her into the raging water, but it was enough briefly cause her to lose her balance and scare her a little before she righted herself. That was karma right there. Her expression was sheepish when she looked back at the male to see if he had seen her moment of clumsiness.

He tossed a sharp glare her direction at the words she served him but karma was quickly dolled out. It was hard to miss the slipping of her paw. Now it was a smirk painting his features. No shit, huh? A brow raised above pale green eyes. He didn't do much beyond that, though. It was obvious that she had got what she deserved for not heading his warning.

Kalganov focused back the path in order to make sure he didn't repeat her mistake. Where are you going? He asked loud enough to be heard over the rapids below. Wherever she was going must not have had a better path to take because Kalganov knew he certainly would have taken a better path if he knew of one.

She couldn't help but chuckle at his response. It was funny and if the roles had been reversed, she would have reacted the same way. 

He asked where she was going but she wasn't really sure. She had just kind of happened upon this place. "No where really. I was just following the river and it lead me to this hell hole." She realized it probably sounded strange for a wolf to just be wandering without any particular destination, but it was the truth. She slowly moved closer to him, careful not to slip again.

A soft hum escaped him at her answer. Seems like we're in the same situation. For the most part. Kalganov had a rough idea of where he wanted to go — high ground — but that wasn't much to work with. He hugged the canyon walls a bit closer as the path threatened to narrow. Thankfully, it didn't seem like it would remain narrow for very long, just on this small turn.

I'm probably going to find a mountain to wait out in while making plans or at least something resembling a mountain. You're welcome to come if you have nowhere better to be. He could use the company as well. It would make hunting a lot easier with two able bodies instead of one.

As the path narrowed and her resolve lessened, the thought of finding somewhere to hide out for a bit was music to her ears. She didn't really have anywhere to be, so being holed up with good-looking company seemed like a good way to pass the time. 

There were many things Speedy liked about the lone wolf life, but the occasional and unavoidable loneliness was definitely her least favorite part. So, she was always quick to take any offers of companionship. "Sounds good to me," she replied, not even trying to hide her eagerness.

He liked the way she agreed easily, didn't throw much of a fuss. Although he had his doubts she'd be throwing around much sass after the earlier events.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he managed to get through the narrow path and he expected her to have done the same. That was if she was smart and followed the calculated steps he had made sure to take. Do you have commitments I should know about? I don't enjoy being barged in on by others so if you got family or friends that are gonna come looking for you while we're together, I'd kind of like to know. Perhaps it was a little harsh but he couldn't think about his plans if he was going to be crammed into some area with a whole gaggle breathing down his neck.

Following his lead, Speedy made her way through the narrow path much like he had, although it was a bit easier for her, being that she was smaller and lighter. 

She bristled at the tone of his next question. "You're awfully demanding," she replied, sounding every bit as testy as she currently felt. She may have readily agreed to his company, but that didn't mean he could push her around; unless he wanted to be met with teeth. She lifted an eyebrow at him, daring him to continue using that tone with her.

He took no offense to her words and instead a smile actually tugged on his ebony lips as he glanced over his shoulder. Kalganov didn't miss the way her brow arched at him. I have my moments. Perhaps he could rein her back in under his control again. Not that he had ever actually controlled her, he just liked to think he did since she had so readily accepted his offer.

Forgive me, I'm just exhausted. He spoke with a much kinder voice this time around (it almost hurt him to use it) in hopes that would be the icing on the cake.

Speedy sighed and rolled her eyes at him. He was lucky she liked her men snarky. "Clearly," she said, still sounding a little prickly. 

She was exhausted as well, so she could forgive him that. "To answer your question, no I don't have anyone that will come looking for me." She briefly wondered if it was the most intelligent thing to inform a surly stranger she that she didn't have anyone who would notice if she disappeared. Oh well. It was too late now. if anything, she could push him off into the water if needed. Well, she could try anyway.

It seemed his falsified kindness had worked. Along with getting her to actually answer the question instead of just forgiving him. Why Kalganov was liking her more by the minute. Fair enough. He hummed softly in response as his pale green eyes sought out an exit from this place. It had to be coming up, they had been wandering for long enough.

Get out of here, find shelter and then consider a meal? He asked as he tossed one last glance over his shoulder, before finding a place where the lands seemed to become more forgiving.

The prospect of company and food further softened her to the male. She gave an acquiescent nod before moving to follow him. 

She was relieved when he seemed to find an area that could possibly lead them out of the canyon. She quickened her pace until she was at his side so that she could more easily talk to him. "What about you? Anyone going to come looking for you?" she asked with a small smile. It was only fair that he answer the same question he had asked of her.

He laughed at her question but he cut off the laughter almost as soon as it started. Doubt it. He had covered his tracks back home, tied up any loose ends, before disappearing into the wilds. If anyone was going to find him it would likely be his sister. Although she was probably out being just as — if not more — sinister as himself. He had been on good behavior lately, though. Especially by so graciously offering the cute creature by his side a place to room with him.

Wasn't he an angel?

Let's get out of here to somewhere we can discuss things better. The roaring of the rapids is killing me. He spoke with a small groan following his words.

So he seemed just as alone out here as she was. Maybe that's why he had been so willing to help a stranger. Whatever the reason, she was glad for it. 

She hadn't realized just how irritating the sound of the water was until he pointed it out, but now that he had, it was if the sound had been subconsciously wearing on her nerves this whole time. "Lead the way," she replied a little impatiently. She was so over this place.