Duck Lake 不運 [P3]

@Marten
hope this location is ok!

Since leaving the familiarity of home, strange occurrences have happened. They were subtle at first, dismissable even undetectable at times. Hono would feel the earth vibrate beneath him, yet he still moved forward without a second thought. There was a job that needed to be fulfilled and god forbid a little tremble stops him.

The earth’s rage could not be ignored forever. As the days went by, those tremors grew more violent. He saw roots burst from the ground, he watched mountains fall, he saw valleys flood. He could do nothing but run.

Was this what the world was truly like? Was he to face this horror alone? Hono would often think of the wolves that the leaders of his clan had promised to bring him. He would think about his family, his mother his brother. If they were at his side, this journey wouldn't be so terrifying. You mustn't depend on their arrival, he'd remind himself. There is no guarantee they will come.

The afternoon sun leads him to a quiet sanctuary. It a land untouched by nature’s wrath. He was relieved to see it and wasted no time trotting towards the water’s edge.

All was not well. The water began to rise and with it followed more a gentle quake. Hono knee better than to trust that it would subside. He leaps from the edge and begins to make a break for it, but a more heavy shake knocks him off balance. He tripped over his own foot, bending it in an unnatural position, and fell into shallow water.

this is perfect!! thanks for starting (:

 

he knows that they are supposed to stay at the stones -- but he is out gathering. @Valette knows that he's in the surrounding territories searching for medicinal herbs, and since @Indra is off on her hunting trip he didn't need to tell his mother. he worries for her, the earth is unforgiving. he wishes he could've gone with her, but he knows that he must take care of his family here... mama would be so angry with him if he abandoned them, especially in this treacherous time but... but oh!! marten just wishes he could've stuck by her side. what if something happened? what if something terrible happened?? 

these were the thoughts that burned through his pale skull as he walked, his brow furrowed. in his jaws were those yellow flowers that he'd learned to be good for fighting infection, along with a thick ball of moss. he was hoping to find some more spider webs, because he was pretty sure the amount of falling and wobbling everyone was doing was surely going to bring around some scratches... but it seemed the tremors must've shaken them all down. or maybe he just didn't know where to look -- he was still learning, after all. 

by the time he had reached the lake, marten was ready to turn back -- he had promised that he wouldn't go far. he spotted a wolf a little distance away, noting the fiery reds of his fur. he reminds him of indra, vaguely, and marten wonders if he would've had red fur too... had he been indra's true son. he doesn't get a great look at the stranger beyond that, and almost turns to leave when a distant rumbling catches him off guard. no!! not again -- not now, he was too far from the pack -- too far from the stones, what if someone got hurt?? 

knowing better than to start running, marten flattens himself to the ground, the stranger in his line of sight. when the shaking hits them, marten is stable and flat -- nothing is above them threatening to fall... ah, but the redhead in the distance lurches forwards, and marten watches as his ankle rolls and he falls into the shore of the lake. he's reminded of vespera's fall into the water in east hollow, and marten can't stop himself from beginning to army crawl towards the lake, holding down whatever sense of panic he may have... 

he gets close quickly, he wasn't that far off to begin with, and over the sound of the tremor marten yells, are you okay!!? crouch low!! it's easier to keep upright!! and he waits for the stranger to get up.

In his clumsy attempt to escape the quake he had failed to recognize the man. Now that a call was directed towards him, he was well aware of his presence.

Hono did not take the advice. Perhaps it was due to the unfamiliarity with the language but it was most likely because he was still in a fight or flight state. He stood up and managed to hop a few inches, only to be forced down once more. A fresh pain bloomed in his left paw. Ninetails why have you forsaken me?! He hissed between his teeth.

He knew this journey would be treacherous, but this was downright otherworldly. Was it normal for the earth to shake this frequently? The demenour of the stranger led him to believe so. While Hono fumbled around, the silver male seemed to be under control. It was just embarrassing, but he’d have time to dwell on it later. For now he stayed glued to his spot, watching the stranger, questioning what he should do about all this.

the stranger fumbled more, leaving marten to stand quietly and silently curse him for not listening. the way he treated his foot led marten to believe that something was wrong with it... but it wasn't like he could check it out just yet anyway. he didn't recognize what the guy said, but marten noted that it sounded angry. it seemed the fumbling might've put the stranger into a good position, for he finally stilled and ended up crouched, gaze falling right on marten. 

accidentally, the yearling locked eyes with him -- mostly just out of focus and then it just happened. his gaze quickly averted towards the strangers paws, and marten gave him a few reassuring nods. just stay put, was his silent advice... looking like a seasonal professional despite the fact that this was only one of the first times he too had ever experienced the quakes. 

this was such an intense moment, but crisis had never created such a fluttering feeling in his chest. he hoped the quake would end soon, and he stole a second glance up at the fiery male.

Stay put he did. The longer the shaking continued, the deeper his claws dug into the earth. This was different from all the other earthquakes he encountered. It seemed to drag on for ages, he wondered if it would ever stop. He would glance at the man every so often in an attempt to decipher his thoughts.

The shaking soon ended, growing softer and softer until it was no more. The little safe haven was destroyed. The water broke past the confines of the lake and it was still flowing out slowly. Hono blinked a few times, then slowly lifted himself up. No weight could be put onto his left paw, he realized this as he tried to make a hasty exit. The firebrand sat again and leaned down to examine the injury. Great, this would certainly affect his traveling capability.

as the quake eventually subsided, marten too raised himself from the ground, standing and staring at the stranger. the fiery male looked like he wanted to leave, but marten watched to see him test pressure on his paw... to no avail. and so the man stood still, leaving marten to have to break the silence. his words caught in his throat for a second, and he wondered why in the world he was struggling so much with this. well, he knew why, but why now? 

i'm a healer, marten said after a few beats of silence, i can help you, if you want? my name is marten. and then the yearling took a small step forward.

Hono was not sure as to how he should react to this offer. A helping hand in these times of misfortune was tempting, especially now that his foot was of little use to him. But accepting this aid would make him a bother. Surely this man's resources could go to someone other than a complete stranger? Besides, he had to keep moving. His crimson gaze glanced over his paw once more. A few days of rest could be worth it. There was only one way to tell.

His eyes returned to the male. Are you sure? He fell silent once again to give the silver time to think it over.

positive, returned marten with a nod of his head. he waited patiently for another response from the male -- preferably his name -- before he moved closer, tentatively, to help move him along... only if he'd let him, though. 

for once in his life marten felt his chest tighten as he moved to line up beside the fiery male, to allow him to lean on him. he felt so stupid, but credited himself for at least functioning normally. is this okay? can you walk like this? he asked, ill need to take you back to my pack, that's where i've got some supplies.

The stranger, Marten, had clearly made up his mind. He was going to help him, going as far as to offer a shoulder to lean on. Hono's bewilderment was plain on his face. He had been told that kindness would be rare during his travels, that he couldn't count on anyone to keep him going. And yet here the silver was, proving his elders wrong.

With some hesitation, Hono rested upon his side. Yes, I think so. He took a tentative step forward just to be sure. He looks towards the healer when he mentions his pack. Oh. What would his peers think when he bought home a rogue, an injured one at that? He swallowed his anxiety. No, it was too late to dwell on questions. If they offered him a place to stay while he healed he would be grateful and if they turned him away so be it. Alright, he answers quietly before turning his nose towards the horizon. Thank you... for the help.