Ouroboros Spine a place in the clouds

for @Arrluk!

She was bright-eyed as she wandered the territory, taking in all the sights that felt simultaneously familiar and like new after her long trip. Things had changed so much, but there were still comforts to be had. The spine still cradled them faithfully as ever.

Eventually, she found herself standing at the lake, looking out across the shimmering waters. The scent of fish made her homesick for a different place, and despite it all, she felt a stirring of melancholy in her chest.

Things had changed. So much.

"I hope you're safe out there, Papa," she murmured to the water.

Arrluk had found place at the lake, as often he so did. There were a number of good fishing spots and this particular one was where a collection of large rocks were scattered along the shallow sides, forming little trap areas where fish would need to slow to navigate their way through. He had been fishing. Had caught one thus far when he spotted Angel Oak making way along the lake bed. 

She was a tawny young woman, molted in shades of browns and creams. Arrluk knew of her, mostly so from information gathered from his wife, though he did not particularly know her personally. He would remedy that today. Hello there. The Waterman barked out in greeting.

After a quiet moment of contemplation, Angel continued along the lake's edge. It was not long before she came across the pack leader, who was fishing from clear waters.

"Hello," she replied, quickening her pace but stepping quietly as she approached him. She didn't want to scare the fish!

Her eyes were on the water, bright and speculative. She couldn't see any darting figures just yet, but the man had already caught one. Clearly, this could be a fruitful endeavor.

"Mind if I watch?" she asked him, tail waving. "Maybe it'll help me improve my form."

Bright blue eyes danced in Angel Oak's features. Arrluk offered his usual soft smile and nodded to her. Of course you can. I'm guessing you enjoy to fish then? His words are soft, quieter, given what he was in the middle of doing. His head lowered, being still as to try and have the fish not take much note of him as a threat. Yet his ears remained forth, listening for the other wolf's words. 

Arrluk had every intention to try and maintain the trader lifestyle which his parents had created. Ajei had practiced many times with his mother on making pelts. Arrluk did not as much, for his interest lied in fishing and herd hunting. Yet Ajei did not enjoy to hunt red meat. He would make the kills, she would skin and prepare them. 

His thoughts lingered to their annual hunt which they often left their lands to do among others packs. Arrluk felt himself a bit more reluctant when it came to this.

sorry for the long absence! Happy to close or continue this thread as desired!

"I like any food," Angel admitted, quieting her voice further. She crouched, not wanting the fish to see her silhouette, and gave Arrluk time to make his move. Whether he pounced or whether the fish scattered, she found a moment to speak again — as she always did!

"I've been thinking," she began. A dangerous phrase, to those who knew her well. This time, however, her thoughts had borne rather tame fruit. "I don't really know what my role is. I'm happy to hunt and fish, but I don't know if there's something more I should do, or something else I should study. I guess you guys don't really need me out scouting and trading and gallivanting with Rodyn taking care of those things?"

Truly, she wasn't sure. She admired the older male very much, though it had been entirely from afar, thus far.

perfectly fine, we can continue! Can even use this thread as a piece for Valiant and Angel's traveling they did.

This is good. A whispered response and smile glinting there in his eyes. Eyes which would then turn away toward the water. He slowly would inch his muzzle close toward the water, so that it lingered very close to the surface in wait. 

Stilled, he was a statue over the water. As he had seen his father time and time again. As he would see the water birds among the reeds do. Eventually, he struck downward with agape jaws, just barely clutching onto the back end of one silvered fish. Lifting his head with his prize, he hops back quick to the lake bed and tosses the still flopping fish onto the ground in front of the yearling. 

Its important to run back to land, or even toss the fish onto land as quick as possible. Our jaws are strong, but their bodies are incredibly strong too, especially large fish like salmon. Some also have sharper tails and fins. Many fish escape your grip before the job is done. 

He explained this, then as he killed the fish and gathered his breath, she took the opportunity to speak her own about her placement here. It is important to not only consider what your good at, but what you want to do. But you dont need to be a master of one thing, if this isnt your want. @Raindrop often uses her time there needed, helping mark the borders, helping Ajei with making pelts, and joining in on the hunt.

Arrluk hunted, fished and guarded. Ajei fished, made pelts and knew a bit of herbs. Rodyn and Valiant were hunters. He knew the pack needed a good medicine woman with his mother gone, but was reluctant to send Angel out for training to places Arrluk did not know well. All the other moon villages had fallen. 

Do you have interest in learning from Rodyn and Valiant of hunting the herds? Arrluk hated to think it, but Valiant, and then Rodyn, they would need to pass this expertise onto someone.

Angel nodded seriously as a lesson was imparted, though it was one she had learned before. She was older now, and memories of the sea were far away. She appreciated this with new eyes, logging away the action for her turn to try.

But they conversed in the mean time, still in quiet voices. Angel studied the water, searching for shadows, instead of facing the leader directly.

"Of course," she agreed, easily. She wanted to learn everything! "I haven't hunted a lot of large game, but I'm fast and strong. I could help."

She flashed a quick smile at him. It wasn't exactly an exciting prospect, but she longed to enfold herself in pack life. To be useful like her mother was, and to learn all the many ways of the sunshine wolves. Moonglow was different from Moontide — and she hadn't learned all that much as a child, anyway.

Her eyes went back to the water. Angel saw her chance and took it, lunging for a fish herself. She caught it by the head and got slapped silly for her efforts. She threw the fish in a hurry, sending it on a wide arc through the air.

It landed in the dirt, flopping madly.

"Not too bad!" she praised herself, tail wagging.

She beamed at Arrluk, this time.

"I fished a little on the coast," she told him. "My sisters and I used to chase fish to each other in the waves. We never did get them to shore, though..."

Now she knew the trick.

I am sure that you can. Arrluk spoke with a certainty to the younger wolf. Come autumn, we are to have ourselves a great hunt once more in the Glen, Although he didn't quite think it would be as great, at least not in size, with so many departed now. Moonglow will need to show its strengths. Well known for their great hunters, be it at sea or in the field and forest, Arrluk did not want to show that Moonglow had lessened in this without its Moonwoman and Sunman, even if it had. 

Laughter then spills from a black and white face as the yearling gets tail slapped about with a fish, yet she is successful all the same! That's it! Tail waving in approval and he did a happy stepping in place. A hunt was never without its risks, she would learn. 

I imagine fishing in the long salt is not an easy thing. So much openness to escape to. We had stuck to the tide pools on my visits there. It was a beautiful thing, the sea. It was of no wonder both his parents had loved it. Both having lived a life on an island a time or two as well. Arrluk's heritage on both sides began with the sea. 

You are free to fish with me any time you'd like, but I would also like for you to speak with Rodyn and Valiant. Join them on their tracking and hunts.

Angel was no so connected to the sea, except for having been born there. She agreed that fishing in the waves was hard — something she'd certainly not yet mastered. She could remember every single fish she'd caught from the ocean, in fact, and none of them had come to her as easily as this one!

Which was not, actually, easy at all. She had to admire Arrluk for his dedication, and she was thankful all over again for his contribution to the caches. It'd always made her feel at home, to have a little fish every now and then.

"I'll take you up on that!" she enthused, but quietly, so that they would not scare the fish. Her blue eyes were bright with laugher of her own, even at her own expense.

"I'm excited for the next big hunt," she told him. "I know it'll be different this time around, but still! It'll be the first time I'll be old enough to actually help. I'm sure that's true for plenty of wolves. And maybe we'll find some of our people there. Maybe they'll hear, and maybe they'll come."

She had to hold out hope.

"I'll talk to Rodyn and Valiant in the meantime," she assured the pack leader.

Arrluk would listen as Angel Oak spoke of her excitement for the great hunt. It would be the first time she would be able to take part in the actual hunting, as it would be for all those who had still been too young last year. For her, it would be special because of this, even if for Arrluk, it would be a far less satisfying event without his parents. It was good to know though that others were still excited for what was to come. It brought a warmth to his darkened spirit. 

Maybe they will... The sentence lingered there on his tongue, but his words were spoken and his expression hinted positivity despite the fact that he spoke no more on it. The coming event had a way with spreading wide and far. Maybe others would come indeed, but he couldnt quite allow himself to get his hopes up. 

They will have much to teach you I'm sure. Both @Rodyn and @Valiant are far better deer hunters then I. He admits openly and honestly, but if it came to fishing, surely he would outmatch! Or, well, maybe not even Rodyn because he had lived on the coast for years after all. Both men which Arrluk came to watch as a child growing up. Both men being his brother in laws. Arrluk held much a respect for each.

AHHH! I was no scrolling down far enough in my threadlog to find this. I'll close up with a reply?

Angel nodded to herself — of course the eldest members of their village were the best hunters. She was eager to learn from them, and would apply herself at once.

"I have much to learn from you as well, I am sure," she replied, though perhaps fishing and hunting were not the main things. He was not much older than her, though, and that spoke to her of his wisdom. To be leading a pack so young surely required dedication and patience she did not yet possess.

For now, she was content to help him with his fishing — and she did learn a little about this freshwater hunting, and about how she might apply it to the ocean as well.