Dragoncrest Cliffs Maybe I've spoken too soon

Suzu went fishing in the shallows near the tide pools, poised on the rocks and diving in like a harpoon whenever a fish flashed close enough. She wanted something fresh and easy to eat, but she was far too buoyant and plush to be able to dive the way she wanted to. Months of eating primarily whale blubber had made her thick with fat, which was good for the winter, but made it much more difficult for her to catch anything that swam. Yet again she dove and missed, scaring the fish in the area away. She bobbed back to the surface and hissed saltwater curses before she paddled back to shore. 

She shook the excess water from her coat and began to stomp from the area when movement caught her eye. Between two heaps of stone, the remainders of the fish trap leaned against the waves, covered now by long, dark strands of kelp. She huffed, and turned her face away from the reminder of times gone by- times that had been happy, before the boys had returned home maimed and bloody. 

The slap of fins against water made her freeze, though. She looked back toward the trap- and caught a flash of silver in the kelp. She dashed toward the barricade, and in its slippery embrace found a wriggling salmon. She batted it into shallower waters so it could not escape, and nabbed it as soon as it hit the water. It slapped her cheeks with its tail, but she held on tight, squeezing her jaws into its sides. The salmon was massive- and because of its maturity, it had been caught in the net she'd made with Swordfish. 

By the time she reached the Roja den, the fish had fallen still. Her heart raced, still, with excitement. While the scent of blood, herbs and stale breath made her slightly woozy, she braved it all so that she might provide them with what she had to offer. She uttered a soft chuff so that @Quennell and @Swordfish might know she'd arrived, and entered into the darkness carefully.

Etienne never went far from the roja den. He had been given a job and he did his best to make sure he did it. Though today he was looking over Quennel and Swordfish with sadness written in the lines of his face. Bleary tired eyes. He rubbed his paws against the ground and waited.

He was deep in his thoughts when a chuff stole his attention and he lifted his gaze to see his sister push her head through the den mouth. His tail wagged, but he said nothing at first. Waiting for her to get comfortable and lay down, what looked like a fish.

He waited to see how she would handle all the blood and bile, but she was a regular visitor and thus far seemed to be handling her irritation with anything gore like well.

Hiya Suzu. he spoke tiredly.

Suzu’s scent woke the resting boy. He lifted his head, squinting to see if she had come by the den. His eyes stung with sleepiness.

Eti’s voice sounded, using the girl’s name. Swordfish sniffed in, wondering if they were looking to hear about how he and Quennell had nearly gotten their heads batted off by the world’s largest paws. The young seafarer felt better, though. The herbs that they had given him were working to restore some of his health and energy. Besides, Swordfish was always fond of sleeping.

What’r ya talkin’ about out there? he grunted to them.

She turned when she heard her brother's voice, and she smiled weakly. It was easier to come and visit the wounded boys when she had the courage of her brother beside her. She reached out to touch his cheek, grateful for his company. He'd been so brave, to work tirelessly for Quennell and Swordfish's care. She thought it might be best to let the boys rest- but as soon as Swordfish's voice called out, she turned around, suddenly. 

"Fish?" She asked. It was the first they'd spoken since the boys had returned. She moved a bit closer, and nudged the fish toward him. "Look! It was caught, in our net," She said. Her voice broke, and she found her eyes filling with tears.

Etienne was trying to make sure they didn't overexert themselves. And he was learning everyday that he was in the roja den. He wished it was under different circumstances. There was a sadness to him when he looked over his sister, this truly had affected her in a big way.

He was about to speak when Fish spoke and his sister go so excited. He shook his head and lay his head to his paws and waited, and watched. Allowing them this time to speak and get to know each other again.

I’m sorry for holding this up, you two. ;w; <3 If you’re looking to get rid of older threads, we can fade this. I also don’t mind having Fish fall asleep so you two can spree it out.

Suzu nudged a fish toward him. The redtailed boy sniffed.

It was a good size. It must have made her jaw sore to carry it all the way to the healing den. Swordfish looked at the glimmering scales of the fish and didn’t know what he might say. His eyes were heavy. His voice felt as though it had been stuffed back in his throat and was unable to come out. They had caught that in the trap they’d built.

When his eyes lifted to her face, he saw the tears. Worry flooded his belly.

Hey, whoa don’t cry… Su… that’s a good catch we got, he said to her, half slurred in his speech. Betcha yer gonna get an even bigger one.

I’m OK to fade this; it’ll be my last reply.

She wanted to feel relieved that he was there, alive, but she struggled greatly with seeing him so injured. She did not know if she was angry, or who she would be angry with. It frightened her to know such dangers lurked beyond their borders- and felt fear creep in with the thought that those dangers could come past the borders, too.

Swordfish’s strength flagged, and she knew better than to tire him with her worry. She drew in a breath and tried to summon some courage to put on a smile, whether or not it had the capacity to reach her eyes. 

Once he fell back asleep, she would leave the den to allow him to rest- but would rely heavily on Étienne to bear the brunt of her pent up worry.