Whitebark Stream mulberry

@Ridgeback or @Anselm :o?

the caribou grazed in uneasy peace, their breath clouding the cold air, ever wary of threats unseen. she matched their stillness, her body low to the ground, blending with the frost-touched earth.

the season’s turn was near—she could feel it, sharp and restless in her bones. staying close to the herd was wise; to wander further would risk crossing paths with males from outside. their attention, unwelcome, was a danger she would not invite.

her ears swiveled at every sound, her focus unbroken. her purpose here was twofold: survival and vigilance. she could not afford distraction, not now, not with so much at stake.

Ridgeback had to wonder if the caribou had simply accepted their relationship with the wolves. At first, he'd thought it more parasitic than anything- the wolves followed the caribou, preying on they weak, old, and wounded, picking away at their numbers and following them without respite. He realized as time went on that they were helping to keep a balance; the strong would survive. The wolves killed the weak, those who might be more susceptible to disease, those that might spread illness among the herd. 

But to live in fear, constantly hunted? No. Even if the relationship was mutually beneficial, he'd still choose to be on the predatory side, every time. 

If he watched them for too long, he became anxious. Restraint was difficult- and while he knew that he should rest, and that he could not simply chase the damn animals around all the time, his instincts were strong, and urged him to chase chase chase! all the time. His jaws chattered as he watched the animals, calm as they were. 

For being the predatory creature, he was vastly more visibly anxious. 

He'd been staring for- well, he wasn't sure for how long- when he decided he should move. His joints crackled as he lifted himself from his crouch, an indication that he'd been prone for too long, though he became supple easily, as he snaked his way along the outskirts of the herd. 

He thought to track down Ice Diver, pester her for a bit of attention, when he spotted one of their newest members, diligently watching the herd. She was Sun Eater's wife, brought home from Swiftcurrent Creek- and while he had been a part of her liberation, he had spent little time with her. Something about her being Sun Eater's wife made him think he should not seek her attention, lest the chieftan entertain suspicions. Still- he was a social creature, and a curious one to boot. He approached quietly, a wave in his tail asking if she might tolerate his company for the time being.

k'edghildza’s ear flicked toward the soft crunch of snow, her gaze shifting from the caribou to the wolfdog approaching with cautious intent. ridgeback, she recalled, though his name still sat unfamiliar on her tongue. his posture was wary, tail signaling curiosity but tempered by restraint.

she offered him a measured smile, her tail swaying once in a gesture of calm reassurance.

you’ve no reason to be frightened, she murmured, her voice low and steady, though her eyes remained sharp, watchful of his movements. i do not bite.

she turned her gaze back to the herd, their movements slow and unbothered, a stark contrast to the tension radiating from the wolfdog.

they are at peace. she continued, gesturing lightly with her muzzle toward the caribou. you could be, too.

her tone carried no judgment, only quiet observation, an invitation for him to settle and share in the stillness of the moment if he wished.

Frightened? His lips pulled together and he tilted his head so sharply at the suggestion that one of the caribou flinched, and turned to look in his direction. I'm not frightened, he blurted, though the rush of his words wouldn't make him very convincing. His sentience was slightly latent, and only a moment later he realized, ashamedly, that he still had his shepherd-stare on. His ears flitted back in an apology, and he chuckled softly.

He tilted his head back to where it should be and padded toward her at a smoothe, collie-walk, his eyes just as bright as they had been before, though his tail waved more freely. He glanced toward the caribou, who seemed aware they were now being watch by two, but content to go on with life regardless. I am at peace, mostly, He said with a faint smile. My face just...Looks the way it looks, He said, and shrugged one tight shoulder. He, of course, did not realize that it wasn't just his face that was tense. Such things did not occur to the dog part of him which had no off switch. 

One of the caribou snorted. With a glance, he knew which one it was. That one, he said with a brief jut of his chin, About knocked the wind out of me a couple weeks ago. He said as he sank to the ground beside the chieftan's wife. I think he's got it out for me, Not the words of a peaceful wolf at all, but he smiled hungrily nevertheless. His days are numbered.

tag for mention

the lanzadoii wife's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile, softening the edges of her usually sharp demeanor. ridgeback’s bluntness was oddly endearing, and she found herself enjoying the ease of his company.

no wonder @Ice Diver chose you, she said, her tone laced with amusement. you’re funny. she tipped her head, hazel eyes gleaming as she regarded him.

her gaze flicked toward the caribou he mentioned, and she chuckled lightly. that one has good instincts then, she teased, settling herself more comfortably beside him. you and my husband can make quick work of him, i'm sure.

pausing for a moment, her smile softened into something more genuine. how have you been doing, ridgeback, is it? her voice carried genuine curiosity, a rare warmth slipping through. the herd, the work, all of it—it doesn’t tire you?

No wonder Ice Diver chose you.
He blinked. It took less than a fraction of a second for him to think back and recall how their relationship had been forged at least partially as an attempt to keep Sun Eater from taking her for a wife. At the time, it had seemed like he'd been saving her from a fate that she might endure with a great deal of suffering- now that his opinion of the chieftan had improved, he caught himself wondering from time to time if Ice Diver might have been better off...But she seemed happy enough with their situation and as for him, and it was a decision he would never regret. 

Suliya had commented on Ice Diver's fortune as well. He seemed to be capable of making a good impression. Either that, or they actually thought he was punching above his weight, and were just being nice.

That's meeee, the funny guy, He said, though he wasn't sure if she meant he was amusing or odd. Maybe she meant odd...She probably did. It would have been an insult to Ice Diver's intelligence to think she'd agreed to marry him if he was a complete dolt, though, so he tried to play it cool, and roll with the compliments. 

Nevertheless, he was relieved when the topic switched back to the caribou. He looked back to the surly bull, whose pace remained slightly hindered from their attack. He narrowed his eyes. All in good time, He half-whispered, like a creepy cartoon character.

He snapped out of his villain-era when she asked how he was doing. Oh, yeah, nah, this is great for me, He admitted. I'd go stupid mad if I didn't have something to be at all the time, He recalled his early days, and the numerous sheep he had slaughtered because he hadn't had anywhere productive to focus his energy and because it had been so damn easy. His mind topic-jumped to the sheep, a blanket of a herd of them in mossy green pastures, a memory so vivid it nearly made him drool. I miss eating sheep, though. Caribou's great, don't get me wrong- but I kinda prefer mutton. he admitted. What about you? You tired of caribou meat yet? He asked jokingly.

she tilted her head, her smile lingering as ridgeback spoke. his honesty, paired with the humor that seemed so natural to him, was something she found refreshing. he didn’t shy away from sharing, even if it veered into unexpected territory.

ah, yes, she said, her tone light, a touch of amusement coloring her voice. he is proud to be funny! she gestured toward the distant caribou herd with a subtle flick of her muzzle. it is what we have, and it keeps us strong. her gaze returned to him, thoughtful. mutton, though? i have not tried it. perhaps one day, i will.

she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly in mock seriousness. not yet. i suppose it is different when you’ve hunted it yourself. a soft chuckle escaped her, and she returned her focus to the task at hand, but her curiosity about the wolfdog lingered in her expression. ridgeback had a way of making even the mundane feel animated.