Two Eyes Cenote Old school, young jam.

A few hours later—as the sun began to set and she was about to give up and return to more northerly climes—Towhee quite literally stumbled across Two Eyes Cenote. She almost pitched straight down into the pool of water, instead sending down a shower of small stones as she managed to halt herself. With the sky darkening behind her, the cavern was thrown into shadows.

But the water was still inviting, especially after a long walk through the lowlands. Towhee remembered what Meerkat had said: it was safe to dive straight down into it. She crouched there for a few minutes longer, then decided, Fuck it. This was her adventurous era.

Towhee backed up a few steps, then made a running start of it, letting out an absolutely ungodly noise as she plunged through the gloom into the surprisingly cold water below.

Maybe @Sari? :D

Phone post

S’ari had not been back here since her adventure with Meerkat, though this place already held fond memories for her. Though, she also remembered the stomach-plunging feeling of seeing Meerkat tumbling through the air straight toward her. That landing hadn’t been fun. But they’d lived, and that had been the important thing.

S’ari arrived just as a terrible noise ripped through the air. Instinctively, she dropped to her belly, disappearing in the grass, and peered through its blades. She saw nothing, but her nose told her a wolf had just been here. And then she heard the splashing. She rose and crept towards the edge, peering down into the water. There was a wolf down there, all right.

Had it had a coyote, S’ari would’ve spoken up immediately. But it was a wolf, and not all wolves were as friendly as Meerkat had been. So, she merely crouched there, staring down from above like an absolute creep. Waiting. Watching.

Her daughter hadn’t been kidding, this water was deep. Towhee opened her eyes while submerged and could make out some of the surrounding walls, though they faded into the gloomy depths below her. She squeezed them shut again and kicked to the surface, exploding into the air with a sharp breath, followed by a whoop.

Treading water for a moment, she eventually moved toward the rocky shoreline and hauled herself up onto a shelf of cool stone. She rested a moment, then rose and shook herself. As she sent cold water droplets spraying every which way, she took a look around. This place immediately reminded her of Sunbeam Lair, though it was even cooler.

She took a couple steps toward what looked like an opening in the rear wall, her ankles now sifting through lush green foliage. It tickled. One snared on her paw and she jerked it, thinking, Shit, snake! But it was just a vine. She shook herself loose and proceeded.

The air grew darker around her, especially as Towhee wandered toward the tunnel that led to the second pool. Especially down that nearly pitch black corridor of rock, she could see dim specks on the walls. She stopped to marvel again.

Thx for joining! :)

I guess I'm PPing that Towhee doesn't look up and notice her? Will delete if needed.

S'ari couldn't help but think of her adventure with Meerkat as she watched this new wolf break the surface of the water with a loud happy call. At least this one didn't have to worry about being kicked. Hello, down there! she called, figuring that calling from up here, with the safety of distance between them, would be a good idea.

There was no response.

S'ari watched as the wolf pulled herself up out of the water, shook herself off, and went to explore.

S'ari blinked. Hello? she called again.

Was she being ignored? Well. That was new. Most wolves who did not like coyotes attacked her. They did not pretend she wasn't there. Feeling strangely offended, S'ari moved clockwise around the opening in the ground until she found the way down that she and Meerkat had used (unsuccessfully). She began to make her way down.

Carefully, Towhee moved closer to one of the walls to get a closer look at the source of that dim light. Her head reared back a little when she realized it was clusters of mushrooms. Some of them were blueish, others greenish, and they all gave off a faint glow. Something told her these weren’t the type of mushrooms you’d want to eat.

Shuffling back a step, she turned and looked right, toward the neighboring cavern. She could see the last rays of sunlight beaming down and hitting the water. Towhee glanced back to her left passively as she prepared to turn and walk into the second cavern, jumping a good inch into the air when she saw a figure creeping down the wall.

Shit, Towhee hissed, you got me. You got me good.

It was a coyote, though not the one she’d run across earlier. This one was tiny, with svelte features. Her scent was feminine, as far as Towhee could tell, which made her wonder…

You don’t happen to be S’ari, do you?

S'ari jumped when Towhee did, just as surprised as she was. Luckily, she kept her footing on the wall this time. This one did not hear Coyote? she asked, her heart pounding in her chest. It was only then that she registered the strange way the woman had spoken. Then more words came.

She perked up at the sound of her name. Yes! S'ari is S'ari! She frowned, wondering how a strange wolf would know her... Does this one know Meerkat? It was the only explanation that made sense. Either that, or there was some kind of spy among the Ravine, sending information back to the wolves. But this would make no sense, and S'ari was not nearly that paranoid.

It was a little difficult to lipread in the low light. But she caught S’ari’s name as well as her daughter’s. Towhee swiveled and moved back into the cavern proper, where there was more light.

Meerkat is my daughter, she said. She told me a crazy story about cliff diving onto a coyote the other day, then said I had to find this place because it was just that cool. She wasn’t wrong, Towhee opined, looking around before returning her eyes to S’ari and introducing, I’m Towhee.

There was that odd flat speech again from the wolf. But S'ari was not one to make fun of others for that. What a hypocrite she would be, with her own strange speech patterns. Oh! What a coincidence, meeting the mother and daughter so soon after each other, and in the same place! Although, S'ari and Suri had started in another place, and walked here.

S'ari chuckled at the remembrance of nearly drowning from Suri's big wolf butt landing on top of her. Yes, that was... quite the adventure. It is very good to meet Towhee. Say hello to Su--to Meerkat for S'ari when you see her. What was her full name again? Suricate! After these remarks, S'ari peered around Towhee's body into the dark tunnel she'd been exploring. Anything interesting in there?

vague question about the cavern is vague because idk if meerkat and s'ari are gonna go explore in there lolol

Sure, she said easily when S’ari said to pass along her salutations, lips twitching into a smile at the use of her daughter’s full name. And yeah, actually, Towhee added, twisting her neck to glance down the dark tunnel with its luminescent decor, there’s another pool through there, and…

She took a moment to really look around at what she could see from where she stood. There were so many creepers climbing the walls, growing ever darker as the sun set. But Towhee was pretty sure she saw a couple more passageways tucked into the rock wall. There was probably so much to explore down here.

Facing S’ari again, she said, Too bad it’s getting late, soon we won’t be able to see much of anything down here. It’s probably best if we went up top before the dark makes the climb extra treacherous.

Motioning for the coyote to lead the way, Towhee found the bottom of the narrow footpath Meerkat had told—more like warned—her about. She eyed it, then looked over at her daughter’s friend. Now that they were standing in the cavern proper where there was a bit more light, Towhee could see her a little better.

Do you live here? ‘Cause I was thinking of maybe spending the night and checking it out tomorrow morning, but I don’t want to intrude…

Totes cool.

As Towhee spoke, S'ari continued to peer curiously around Towhee's body at the tunnel behind her, and almost fell off the ledge into the water. She quickly sat upright again. What was it with her and this pool of water and falling in? It was like she got here and all of her natural poise and grace flew right out the window.

S'ari nodded, a bit disappointed, when Towhee mentioned that it was getting dark and they should probably go back. She and Towhee moved along, and then Towhee asked if she lived here, and if she could stay here for the night. S'ari does not live here. But even if she did, she would let Towhee stay. Coyote has no quarrel with wolves, as long as they have no quarrel with her. With that, S'ari hopped up onto the footpath and then concentrated very hard all the way up to the top so that she wouldn't slip this time. Once safely there, she turned and watched Towhee's ascent, anxious to make sure Meerkat's mother would not be harmed here.

Towhee nodded to acknowledge the coyote’s words, then focused on climbing up the narrow footpath. As she carefully placed each footstep, she mused about how she was fraternizing with a coyote. She felt like Towhee of yore never would’ve done such a thing, though she supposed she’d changed in a lot of ways over the years.

S’ari reached the cusp first, Towhee jumping out right behind her. Her fur was still damp from her dip, so she stepped a few yards away to give herself a proper shake. The sun had set, leaving only the smallest stain of orange along the western horizon. The night sky was filled with clouds, otherwise Towhee knew there’d be a great view of the stars.

I’m just gonna, she announced, flopping right where she stood, snout pointed toward S’ari. So, where do you live? she asked conversationally in the next breath.

It was too dark to explore underground caverns, though the night was still young. Towhee wouldn’t mind chewing the fat with S’ari a bit, supposing she had nothing better to do than hang around and yap with a middle-aged wolf.

S'ari chuckled in surprise when Towhee simply flopped to the ground before her. Feeling it would be rude to continue standing (as this might come off as some kind of dominance thing), she, too, lay down. Now the two of them lay facing one another in the fading light.

So where do you live?

It was such a simple question... and one that S'ari was not sure she could answer. Even a few days before, she might have simply given Towhee the location of the Ravine, but now... Now there were too many Coyote there, and most of them did not trust or like wolves in the least. If it were only her own life in her paws, she would've been honest, but it was more complicated than that.

Ah, S'ari lives all over the desert, she said, hoping Towhee did not notice the pause before her answer. She sleeps here or there, and moves often. There is much to explore here, yes? She must see it all! Honestly, this answer wasn't even much of a lie, for S'ari did move about, often, to explore. Now she wanted to ask Towhee something of her own life, but if she would not tell the wolf where she truly lived, it felt rude to demand the same of her. Does Towhee... have other children? she asked, grasping, when her mind landed on Meerkat.

S’ari sprawled nearby, thankfully choosing a position facing Towhee. It was never as easy to lipread at dusk, though from only a few feet away, she could make out most words.

It sounded like the coyote was a drifter too. Towhee was about to mention her own transition to a nomadic lifestyle when S’ari asked a question about her children. She immediately huffed a laugh.

Only about four hundred, she quipped. Meerkat—Suricate—is technically my firstborn but I helped raise my brother’s kids, so I consider them my eldest. I’ve had a few other litters since, so has he. I consider them all mine. I have a bunch of grandkids now too. What about you? Do you have family around here?

S'ari laughed in surprise and amusement. Four-hundred? she repeated, though she new Towhee was exaggerating. This one is busy, busy... She winked. It was in her nature to be flirtatious, no matter the gender of the other party. She listened as Towhee explained, and sighed contentedly. Ahh, it sounds like S'ari's home Tribe. In the Tribe, all are family, blood relation or not. All raise the little ones, the sunlings. All care for one another. She smiled, but seemed to stare past Towhee then, seeing something far away.

'What about you? Do you have family around here?'

S'ari blinked, coming back from her reveries. Hmm? Oh, well... yes, S'ari supposes she does have family nearby. She thought of all the others back at the Ravine. New family. New friends. She hummed thoughtfully. She was sad, coming here, at first. She was alone for several moons. And now she is not, and all is well. And some of her new friends are wolves. S'ari is glad this one does not wish to eat her. No? She laughed.

Busy, Towhee agreed, and old.

She listened with her eyes as S’ari spoke of her tribe. Meerkat had mentioned some of this when telling her mother about her own visit days prior. Perhaps that was why Towhee didn’t bat an eyelash when the coyote spoke in third person.

Well, good. Family—including found family—is everything, Towhee remarked, pausing before adding, When I was younger, I might’ve been a dick to you. But I think I’ve gone soft in my old age, like overripe fruit.

She laughed at the dumb metaphor, then shifted her weight to settle more comfortably. Her eyelids were starting to grow heavy and a yawn came over her. It still wasn’t that late, though Towhee supposed she’d been moving around quite a bit lately.

Speaking of which, I’m a nomad too. The idea is I go around to each of my kids’ packs to visit with them and their kids—my grandkids—then rinse and repeat. I recently spent a couple of weeks on an island helping my son and his wife with their eight pups. Now I’m staying near Moonspear not just because two of my daughters—Meerkat and her older sister, Fennec—and a couple other relatives live there. I made a promise to their leader I’d support her during her pregnancy. She’s due in a few weeks.

Maybe she was rambling but that’s what ramblers did, eh?

S'ari snorted. This one is not old. S'ari has seen Coyotes in her home Tribe so old they were blind and their bones creaked when they walked.

She laughed, a sharp, quick, loud sound with Towhee's next words about being a dick to her in her younger years. Well. Coyote would've had to be a dick right back! She caught the yawn from Towhee and turned her head away, jaws opening wide, then found herself putting her head on her paws, staring a bit glassy-eyed at Towhee.

She listened with a smile as Towhee explained about how she moved around from place to place, visiting her children. An island? she asked, intrigued. S'ari has heard of the ocean but has never seen it. She is not sure she can imagine so much water. What does one hunt on an island? Fish? S'ari is fast on land, but she is not sure she would be fast enough to catch darting fish.

Towhee appreciated S’ari’s reassurance about her age. Maybe it was dumb to put stock into what anybody else thought but it reminded her that she was truly only middle-aged. She just seemed old compared to everybody else because there was a frightening lack of elders around here. Such was the way of the wilderness, she supposed.

There’s some small game but, yes, lots of seafood. I ate a lot of crabs and other weird sea creatures. Some were better than others, she remarked with a laugh. Fishing is definitely hard, especially if there’s any kind of current. If you’ve never seen the ocean, you might not know about tides. The sea is always sort of… rocking, with waves hitting the beach. There’s just a lot of movement. It’s nothing like fishing in freshwater.

On the subject of waves, a wave of weariness washed over her. She was about to call it a night and tell S’ari she was under no obligation to stick around when a sudden thought hit Towhee. She looked around a moment, observing the still night, and wondered…

Is there a lot of noise out here or is it as quiet as it looks? she wondered, realizing she hadn’t told S’ari, Oh yeah, I’m deaf, by the way.

S'ari listened with interest as Towhee spoke about seafood and the ocean. She had heard of the great expanse of water and how it moved with the tides, pulled by the moon. This, as strange as it sounded, made sense to her. S'ari was taught that the moon also pulls the water inside our bodies, and that the full moon can cause one to run wild, she said. It does not surprise Coyote that the moon affects the ocean, as well.

She blinked a few times in surprise at the revelation that Towhee was deaf, and then smiled. The wolf's strange flat speech made sense now. S'ari cocked her head to the side, her ears swiveling atop it, and hummed. Mostly, it is quiet, she said. S'ari can hear the wind, and buzzing insects and crickets, probably attracted to the water. That is all.

From what I’ve gathered over the years, those are all peaceful sounds, Towhee hummed thoughtfully.

It didn’t matter to her. It couldn’t. Besides picking up on cues from others, Towhee couldn’t comprehend much about sound, never having experienced it. But it was reassuring to know there wasn’t a bunch of screaming or other disturbances renting the night, warning of danger.

I’m gonna get some shuteye now. I’ll probably get up early and look around a bit, then take off. I’ve been gone from Moonspear too long already and I don’t want to let Sialuk down, Towhee explained again. Thanks for hangin’, S’ari.

Those were her final words before she performed a final stretch, settled with a small sigh, then let her head sink to the ground. As soon as she shut her eyes, Towhee became utterly insensate to the world around her, save for the sun-baked earth beneath her and the tickle of arid wind along her spine.

S'ari watched as Towhee flopped her head down and went to sleep, and without another word, she got up and tiptoed away, which only later did she realize was pointless, since the wolf couldn't hear anything. She was glad of her conversation with Towhee, glad to know that the mother was as kind as the daughter. She hummed a happy tune to herself as she headed back towards the Ravine.