Emberflame Ridge science bros

When they parted it was with a gentle kiss pressed behind Octavia's ear. She returned to the Keep and to Tambourine, and he returned to his scouting. If he could find a herd to follow he could get a little band together and maybe catch something. Stark yawned, there hadn't been much sleeping to be done between the two of them. He stretched, shaking out his coat. He couldn't think of much other than Octavia, trekking along the Ridge and down into the small valley there. Life was blooming. They'd have real meals soon.

It concerned him though to think of the fact he hadn't seen @Captain recently. Maybe she had rounded back to try and find @Banner, but then, why wouldn't she tell him? He wasn't so wrapped up in Tam and Tavi that he didn't miss her absence and it was worrying. He licked his lips, giving a quiet sigh as he tried to shift his focus. It kept straying though. He needed to focus on the hunt, on trekking through things and trying to find something for him to take back.

It was early morning, the sun above him and Stark would be glad that he was out before the heat could catch up to him. He might be able to rest and then find something to fill his afternoon. 

The early morning sunshine did quite a lot to lift her spirits.  Banner caught up with a familiar face yesterday - were they friends now? - and at least felt comfortable in this random territory.  For now.  It clearly wasn't claimed , so she had no fear of stepping on any toes or being attacked and losing her cool.  Well, that was always on her mind.  Effects of the famine, she supposed, though the female found herself frequently wondering if there was simply something wrong with her.

Her head shook suddenly.  Now wasn't the time to sink back into her own head.  Today was a new day!  A little optimism wouldn't kill her (though there wasn't any concrete proof of that yet).  Maybe she'd get a few leads on her siblings.  Or maybe she would clean herself up a bit.  The two year old felt ragged, but luckily her thick coat masked how skinny she'd gotten.  It didn't quite have its old shine and the sides were sticking out in random spots, but that wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed!  See?  Optimism.

The dark brown female stepped up beside one of those strange-looking charred trees and rubbed her side against it.  With no sizeable body of water in her immediate area to rinse our her coat, this would have to do to flatten her wayward pelt.  Banner let out a satisfied sigh as she switched sides and continued her rubbing, green eyes closed peacefully.  The thought that this previously-burned tree was probably leaving dark marks on her sides crossed her mind, but her coat was dark anyway.  And no one was around.

Optimism!

This was a land he had not visited. As such he wasn't prepared for the sooty marred trees, the varied grounds, the rocky slopes that gave way to a softer terrain. Stark was torn between trying to watch for something to eat and just enjoying the lands because it was something new, something enjoyable. He loved learning, exploring, it was something he was passionate about and so he didn't mind ranging from land to land. A scent caught his attention and his brow furrowed for a moment.

That was familiar. It had been a long time, but it was a familiar scent, one that he was fixated on tracking down. 

Stark made his way down a little embankment, his blue eyes cast across the loam until he saw a dark figure brushing against a charred tree. With a little grin he approached, making his steps as quiet as possible to just watch for a moment. After a moment the wolf swapped sides, rubbing along the remains of the tree. Stark chuckled, sitting down as he looked at the female. 

Being closer it was more clear and he couldn't help the thrumming of his tail or the bright, stupid, happy grin on his face. "If you aren't careful, you'll end up as dark as me." He teased.

God he'd missed her.

Captain wasn't sure whether it was the subtle air of newfound security she felt, or the pleasurable after-effects of a promotion, that set her paws to a slow trot. It was probably not the correct time for a hunt, not when she could be staying in camp and resting, but she carried herself forward with no sense of hesitation. Her long legs swept her along in happy, bouncy strides. She would never behave like this if not for the lack of witnesses and real concern. The ecosystem was slowly growing back to its normal state, licking its own wounds and coping with the new ailments all the while. In a similar way, Captain could quite easily relate. 

     She confidently lifted her chin and parted her lips, probing the scents of the surrounding terrain as they succumbed to her senses. Nothing. It was disappointing, no doubt, but not discouraging. She perked her ears as yet another rush of scents filled her nostrils, immediately jerking her head toward the detected source. Her tail began to wag slowly. It was familiar, they both were. Stark. And... She quickened her pace to a steady jog, her blonde coat a blur in the dark foliage. Her claws ripped through thick earthy soil, smoothly gliding slits into the ground and slowing her descent to an abrupt halt. Sure enough, there sat Stark. And beside him, a sight she never thought plausible. "Banner!" 

That voice.

The dark brown female paused her odd chore while simultaneously snapping her eyes open.  That voice!  She looked to the side, her bright green gaze falling on a very familiar face.  Before she could further react, another familiar voice in the form of a blonde blur came at her before stopping suddenly.  That voice!  Those faces!  Here, in front of her very eyes!  Joy rushed through her then, reflecting easily on her face.  "You..!"

Banner couldn't form words.  Any actual verbal response was tossed aside as she launched her small body forward to affectionately greet her siblings.  Her brown and black head rubbed against Stark's chest before she moved to bump sides with her sister.  It was then that she recalled the char that had likely transferred from that tree she'd been awkwardly rubbing against.  "Sorry!" she murmured happily in her quiet voice, moving her head down to rub against the same spot on Cap's golden fur.  Hopefully that would get any dark spots off!  The spot check cleaning wouldn't be very thorough right now, of course.  There were questions and answers to be discussed!  "I can't.. believe you're both here," she said with awe coloring her voice.  What were the odds?  Her eyes fluttered for a moment while she allowed an affectionate growl to escape her throat.

Optimism worked, apparently.

Stark didn't even get a moment before she turned to look at him, those green eyes flashing and lighting up. He made a little crooning sound as he tugged her close, not caring around the soot on his pelt - it wouldn't change the color and it might mask a bit of the scent Octavia. He grinned as Banner went to wind heralded against Cap, watching his sisters for a minute. It was good - filled his heart properly. "Found a pack nearby, we're just starting to see plants again." Stark explained.

His blue eyes trailed Banner closely, inspecting her - trying to see how she was doing and how she had fared. "When did you eat last?" He asked, taking an almost paternal mode - but especially with Banner. He made a quiet little sound, tail thumping behind him. He was hopeful - not wanting to just immediately drag her off to the Keep but he wanted to. He really did.