smoke led them west through thinning pines and hard winter ground, their breaths rising pale in the cold air. @Adela walked close, the quiet between them easy now, shaped by miles rather than words. the sun dipped low behind the ridge by the time the trees broke open.
the lake waited there — wide, steel-blue, crusted at the edges where the frost clung thick. smoke slowed first, nose lifting to the chill coming off the water. good place to stop. quiet. nothing hunting them but the wind.
he padded to the shoreline and stood there, broad shoulders still, watching the ripples move under the dim light. didn’t say anything at first. just let the calm settle.
then he glanced her way, tail giving one slow flick. rest, drink, breathe.
December 20, 2025, 09:33 PM
The past few days of traveling had been quiet, and Adela was fine with that. Smoke respected her boundaries, and he was only there for company and for her own safety. She remembered it was always safer to travel in groups than alone. Even though it was just the two of them, she felt a lot safer than she had while traveling alone.
Her eyes gazed upon the wide, blue lake that lay in front of them. Finally, actual water. Adela had resorted to eating snow to remain hydrated. There had been bodies of water previously, but they froze over due to the cold weather. She was relieved the lake hadn't frozen yet.
She noticed Smoke's tail flick and ventured closer to the shore, it looked like the water wasn't tainted or anything. Adela realized she couldn't be picky, it was water and she should be thankful for that. She lowered her ruddy head and lapped up as much as she could and let refreshment quell any thirst that remained.
Her eyes gazed upon the wide, blue lake that lay in front of them. Finally, actual water. Adela had resorted to eating snow to remain hydrated. There had been bodies of water previously, but they froze over due to the cold weather. She was relieved the lake hadn't frozen yet.
She noticed Smoke's tail flick and ventured closer to the shore, it looked like the water wasn't tainted or anything. Adela realized she couldn't be picky, it was water and she should be thankful for that. She lowered her ruddy head and lapped up as much as she could and let refreshment quell any thirst that remained.
apologies for the wait!
Yesterday, 05:24 PM
he paused at the edge, satisfied, then stepped aside to give her room. when adela drank, he followed, lowering his head to the water and taking a few deep pulls himself.
he lifted his muzzle, droplets sliding from his jaw. a low hum rolled out of him — approval.
water’s good,he said simply.
after a beat, he stepped back from the shore, already scanning the treeline and the tracks pressed into the snow.
i’ll find us somethin’ to eat,smoke added, voice calm, certain.
then he turned and moved off, unhurried, like it was already done.
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