Redtail Rise 99%

By 6am, Moon Runner could tell the day would become oppressively hot. An over night rain did nothing but add humidity to the rising temperatures, so completing any tasks was imperative before the sun rose high in the sky.

She walked through the dappeled shade of the forest. Ever since the calamity at Dragonspine, Moon Runner often thought of Blood Spot’s lessons. These memories spurred her to seek out her younger sibling, Pebble @Tuesdays Dawn.

A chuff called to him. Let’s find breakfast!

The chuff was heard, and New Snow roused. She looked upward to where her daughter was, laying on the earth herself. Stretching where she rest, she flexed her paws and then relaxed them. If her son did not join her daughter, she supposed that she could—but if she could sneak in five more minutes…

Soft snores sounded off from New Snow, who was quick to fall back asleep.

the dawn boy hadn't slept a wink. the humidity bore down upon him and made him irrevocably cranky, mosquitos whirring over his head as he splayed along a patch of grass. his elder sister's mewls stir him eventually, one stormy ear flicking in casual acknowledgment.
he wasn't particularly hungry, amazingly, mostly due to the heat; what he really wanted was to take a bath, or maybe wander down to the foot of the glacier and lay there for a while. despite his discomfort and general lack of desire to move, he heaves himself up to his feet with a snuffle and a glare cast towards her. where to?

Moon Runner did not pester Mother as she might have when she was a juvenile. The Haefod had been working hard to keep the pack cared for and safe. A gentle wag of the girl’s tail acknowledged her Mother’s attention, and then she would bother her no more.

Moon Runner was happy, though, when Pebble humored her invitation despite the oppressive weather. He did not seem so keen, but Moon Runner had a good idea in mind.

Follow me! her spirit said with a swing of her pale head.

Then, she led Pebble toward the stream Blood Spot had once shown her a summer ago…

his jaws split into a wide yawn, a creaky-sounding noise rolling from off of his tongue as he trudges through the tall grass of the rendezvous. mother is given a sweep of his tail as if to say i'll be back soon, oversized feet plodding against the earth in loud thuds.
it felt good to get up and walk around despite the boiling heat. instinctively, the dawn boy leans toward the shade, disappearing beneath the cover of shrubbery only to pop back out and converge trails with his sister again. by the time they reach where they're headed, slobber is dribbling down the corners of his mouth and collecting at the base of his chin. he gives his sibling a skeptical look — are we here to swim, or to eat?

Moon Runner did not halt at the shore. She slipped into the shallow stream until the water touched her belly.

Sweet Relief!

Moon Runner lapped at the water as she regarded Pebble.

Had he already learned to swim? the spirit wondered.

Little brother looked at her quizzically. Just then, the splash of a jumping brook trout caught Moon Runner’s attention.

Why not both?

Then, the siblings spent the rest of the day escaping the heat by fishing and swimming.