The dawn inked the sky with a new pastel of colors every sunrise was much the same and yet different. Different in it's quality or light or color or weather or all of the above. This morning brought forth change, a new day in which a song called loudly to the heavens above and the earth below to lay claim to the mountain and all who dwelled upon it, wolf and prey alike; they were his. He had to make sure they did not over hunt the prey animals on the mountain and he had to above all make sure his pack-mates thrived it was a great weight on his shoulders that he was glad to bare.
The second morning of his Alpha-hood though brought his thoughts back to Ame and of the treasure the mountain had not yielded to them that night. He wanted it, badly. So he back tracked and finding the water fall with the fallen tree above it's rapid flowing waters; He grinned the thought of watching a wolf whom didn't know they were being watched was like being part of a private conversation, He hopped up onto the tree moving with all the grace his large form could muster to the center of the log and looked down below the rapid falling water half expecting and hoping to see her there. But his search was in vain, she was not there she had moved on and so should he. He leapt off the log and retraced their steps heading up the mountain and to the east, half the day was gone before he ended back up at that unforgiving sheer face.
He growled his frustration at the wall even though he knew it would do him no good. He paced the length of the wall for as long as he could there was a drop of to the far right there would be no path there so he traveled down the face toward the left side only to be stopped by a well rooted bush tree. He glared at the tree distastefully, peering below it he saw a small animal trail there had to be a away to get around it the ground below the tree was solid, he tried digging to no avail, if he kept going he'd scrape off his claws. with no other recourse he grabbed the tree branch in the maw and began hauling for all he was worth growling viciously at the tree as he did so. It felt good to release his frustration upon it.
It seemed to her as if miles upon miles of mountain terrain had been trekked upon the recent days and still there remained so much unseen. Amekaze was nowhere near entirely familiar with everything there was to see, yet day by day, she was learning more. Now that they were officially a claim, she could not quite devote all of her hours to explorations as they had borders to maintain and neighbors to keep an eye on, but she would always be sure to leave time for plenty of what really soothed her soul.
She had arisen late in the afternoon, as was usually in her nature as a late-night sort of creature recently, and casually hunted for herself before scaling towards the upper reaches. On her way, she picked out Ferdie's trail and began following. It didn't take long before she realized where it was heading, so she picked up speed.
The lithe wolf wove through the paths and soon, the steep face of rock rose to greet her, which spurred mixed feelings. She was still impressed by the imposing wall, but frustrated that it rendered the paths impossible while she knew it blocked the way to something great.
Landscape aside, she soon spied Ferdie.. in a curious act from what she could tell. She tilted her head and watched this, unsure as she strode closer. Her tail was kept low and her head mindfully dipped far more than she did in the presence of others now. While she did not yet know what sort of alpha he would be in times to come, she had accepted his rule without issue. What did that tree do to you?
she chuffed, with a smirk curving her expression ever so subtly as her tail switched, happy to have found him.
![[Image: 5ifpFkc.png?1]](http://i.imgur.com/5ifpFkc.png?1)
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
So involved in the task of uprooting the tree he failed to hear another get close to him. A rather stupid thing on his part, he needed to be patrolling boarders not playing house. Swiftcurrent creek wolves were rather dumb and would likely be making an appearance now that the claim had been made vocally.
Part of him really wanted to find a way to the hot springs in order to please Ame' he wanted to see her smile alight upon him. Ferdie opened his jaws and released the branch, the tree snapping back wildly and then out again making contact with his muzzle once as it continued to swing wildly before it settled. It was if the tree wanted to add it's insult to his predicament.
In Ame's presence he did not fling his tail high or hold himself upright, but almost seemed to deffer to her like a pup caught doing something wrong, though this behavior would not last long, for it was just not in his nature. Ferdie crouched a little and smiled abashedly. He moved toward her and nudged her chin almost submissively then immediately rested his chin on her shoulders in an affectionate yet dominate manner, he seemed confused and at war with himself over where she stood in his presence. Were there others around he'd know how to act but here alone he just couldn't figure out his heart desires.
Ferdie then plopped his rump upon the ground and leaned back using a rear paw to scratch behind his ear in an attempt to distract and also regain control of himself.
You caught me, I was trying to remove the tree, I think if I can break it down and move it, There may be a way to the hot springs; albeit steep I think it may yield an entry point
Ferdie sat back up and looked to her eyes, enjoying the color of her iris's the softened look in his face showed her he was seeking the eye contact not using it as a show of dominance. If that doesn't work, then I realized while talking to our newest pack sister Viatrix Demonte that eventually we might have to travel higher and then back track to the hot spring. Stop fighting the mountain and just go with it. Ferdie had been thinking of Ame when the idea occurred to him he had just happened to be talking to Viatrix.
Which route do you think we should try Ame? Here he was truly interested in her answer; she seemed to know more about mountains then he, Even though he had also live on one for over a year. He respected that about her and wished to share in her knowledge of nature. he wondered if she ever though about becoming the pack naturalist but for the moment had asked enough questions.
It seemed that she distracted him from his tree-task and she watched with a keenly curious look. He greeted her in an unexpected way and then moved to her, and she had prepared to sink herself lower in deference should his signals dictate it, but instead she was left stilled.
He acted in a mixed way, like he could not decide what to make of her.. which she reasoned was not surprising. Ferdie was a curious wolf and while she was coming to suspect that she lured out an extra element of it in him, she knew there was something to be said without words here. In his company she was at ease and in smoothly good spirits.
In his nearness, with his muzzle at her shoulder blades, she snaked her neck against his and pressed her dark fur against his agouti shades. She nipped at his chest mischievously -- fondly, in her way, that he was probably coming to realize. She was not always particularly gentle in her contact, however brief, although did not mean it in an aggressive way. Tenderness was not a strong quality of hers.
Amekaze settled back with her weight mostly on her hind paws to listen. Hm, well if you could not budge it,
she looked around him to the tree. It looked pretty set in its ways despite his efforts. It is probably not yielding. I was going to suggest trying to swing wide then looping back, to see if a path further around was better if I could not spot one here with daylight's help. It is similar to what you say, and I do agree, going with the mountain will always be easier.
They were notoriously unshakable and she took the moment to look at the wall and then its edges; no paths were obvious from here despite how furiously she narrowed her eyes at it.
Eventually she huffed and settled her focus back onto Ferdie. We should try traveling higher then back down, as you say. It should work the best, and the mountain may.. be a bit more hospitable if we go with its flow,
she concluded as she had taken to the idea from the first mention of it. If it comes to it, we can try approaching from the other side and up a ways, too. We will not know until we trek though,
Ame added, which was in the event of the paths up further being blocked somehow. With more daylight on their side this time and a tactic in mind, she had more confidence that they would make progress. Last time had been wholly on a whim and dark to boot. This time she felt much more prepared.
She shifted forward and nudged her muzzle against the underside of his, then stepped aside to get turn her focus towards trailblazing.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Their dog was hit by a school bus, The dog's ok now they happened to be in PEI and she was taken to the vet college over there and got the best of care. I don't know what to say for the school bus full of traumatized children.
Ugh they can't make this crap up. Life is just crazy
Ferdie shifted and regretfully stood, he didn't really want to break trail right now but there was really no better time for that. Quickly he glanced down at his chest vainly making sure there was no missing chunk of pelt and a quick smile flitted across his lips.
He drew himself up and turned back to the rather abused tree, sniffed at it's base. Moving forward his tilted his hips cocked a leg and pissed upon the tree. If it wouldn't yield to him then it would bare his scent. He didn't care if that might drive off the small game that might use this path he was rather ticked at the tree and he deserved at the very least some retaliation.
Taking a few steps away and turning his back to the tree to face the direction they had come past the water fall; Ferdie kicked his back feet twice and if to say, if I don't see you you are not there. Petty? maybe...
Ignoring his own hissy fit he glanced sidelong at Ame's stunning form, it took him a moment to speak then, uh...He stumbled over his words momentarily did you want the head back to the water fall and start from there going straight up from there instead of to the right like we have been traveling. Having a good starting point so we could tell the others about how to make it there might be a good idea? Or should we venture forth now and when we find it back track to find a good starting point?
He looked directly at her then and grinned having a second reason for his next suggestion You take the lead and I will follow you where ever you go
He fully intended to follow behind her until he somehow found a way to incite a game of tag, they were owed time to play and he wanted to collect of that promise.
[b]
She watched him abuse the tree further over her shoulder, insulting the injury all he wanted, with a vaguely interested smirk. His frustration was evident and Ame said nothing, more than content to let him get it out. Peeing on the tree was a nice extra touch and she laughed softly. It was important his scent be prevalent here upon the mountain, and its features as well. As reigning alpha, it was practically part of his job description.
Her tail waved slowly against her heels. Mm, suppose that would be wisest. It would make a good landmark to tell others to start from, and I do not mind passing the waterfall again. I like it,
she exhaled, but such was true for much of this mountain. Amekaze was only peeved she had not come to explore it sooner. Instead she had always stayed near Gryfalcon's Keep and Silvertip, before its claim. This more inland range had hardly been touched by her before they had moved in.
So with that in mind and a quick nod, she adjusted her path accordingly and headed for the waterfall. Before long she could smell it, then hear the waters and she sped up to reach it before taking time to go a little slower when it was in sight. On the hot summer days, she had a feeling this would be a place to find her.. especially with the soft mist off the waterfall to consider.
This time, after a tail-waving look in Ferdie's direction, she took to a path leading up from there. The foliage was fairly thick in places, making it difficult for her to gain much speed, and then in another stretch of mountain the terrain underfoot was frustratingly uneven and dotted with rocks. She navigated it carefully until it straightened and she found what was probably a deer trail through the brush. Amekaze then kicked up her heels to a bouncy loping gait that invited Ferdie to overtake her, or press her to go faster, or whatever else he could come up with. He probably couldn't see the look of quiet mischief in her eyes, although she tried not to be obvious. Ferdie made her less stoic than usual, after all..
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie Von Pelt enjoyed taking the follower position he kept close enough to Ame that she would not have to keep looking back to see if he was following but he was not so close as to invade her personal space, no he would save that for later. As they wordlessly reached the waterfall and doubled back he found though they were traveling quietly he was savoring the time he was getting to spend with her.
He was learning her gait and watching the graceful and fluid stride, she held naturally. Even when they had to move slower and more careful. Finally they received the chance, he thought might not happen, to open their stride and enjoy a moment of respite from the rocky terrain. Ferdie did not squander the opportunity.
His stride lengthening, his tail waved happily as he passed by her delivering a nip to her flank, lighter then the nips she usually placed upon him, but it was sure going to be felt. He offered her a grin as he bounded up ahead spun around to face her, his front end dropping lowering then his back end just slightly before he spun back around after she had made two more strides and he paced away. He'd continue to follow the deer trail so at least she'd know where he was going but his longer legs would afford him a further stretch to get ahead of her, she'd have to work harder to catch him. as he darted under a bush and kept going.
He considered hiding for a moment then thought the better of it, they were on task right now, just having a little fun while doing it. He glanced over his shoulder looking for her as he continued his forward stride.
She hoped to see these paths take them to where they wanted to go. All the while, she was listening to the mountain itself -- or trying, anyway, on the fly like this, in hopes that it would reveal its secrets. Somehow, these paths eventually had to give way to one that would go to the springs; she wanted to see their efforts find success.
Then, Ferdie took her focus and she growled playfully at him as his strides lengthened. She wondered what he intended as he overtook her with relative ease and watched sharply, even yipping at him when he sunk down to make her think she would have a good chance to pounce him, but just as quickly as he had assumed that position, he sprung away into the brush. Ame followed.
She may not have understood why, but it was easy for her to do. In times like these, alone and romping (with the underlying tone of purpose, eventually) with Ferdie across the mountain -- his mountain, with a little of her help, too, she felt.. well, good. Amekaze liked her home here and wanted to see them able to keep it this way, for many more days like these to come.
But she was not gaining ground on him easily. He pulled away and for a moment, she could no longer see him. But with the rest of her senses keened in and her body flattened out to a full sprint, she fixed this.
When she could spot him, her determination lent her a new surge of speed and she worked hard to close in. He may have had the longer legs to give him a better stride, but she would not let him have the easy victory over her -- not without exhausting all of her speed in the process.
She drew steadily nearer and when the time was right, pounced forward towards Ferdie's hips and aimed to nip at his rump. Or, if it was all she could get, perhaps his tail. Either way she was just looking to proclaim that she had caught him -- even if just barely, and then the second contact was made, she darted away abruptly. The paths were changing again and this time it was more subtle. Her burst of fleeing speed downgraded to a bouncing canter with her ears quivering, standing as tall as she could make them.
While outrunning Ferdie was still a priority, and why she threw a few extra zig-zags into her run to keep it unpredictable, she did not want to find a wrong path too. She was looking for the sulfuric tint of the hot springs to reveal itself to her soon, and growing impatience to finally meet their destination was difficult to reign in. Ame breathed deep and kept speeding down the trails that curved across the mountainside.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie Von Pelt felt her touch him at his speed and the fact he was not expecting her to catch him; her little bump on his hip sent him off balance. He moved to grasp at her with maw, gently of course, probably more gently then she would have afforded him but he was getting used to her rough edge, he liked that about her surprisingly. But even as he tried to gasp for her, she was gone leaving him to stumble before recovering.
Ferdie watched her move; lithe and graceful, she moved with the mountain like she was part of the mountain, his heart ached with the sight of her. He knew he'd never match her in beauty or intelligence, she was as mysterious to him as she was black. It wasn't until her path began to zig zag that he realized he had slowed to a stop to watch her, Noticing the pattern as she moved down hill it gave him the opportunity to carefully pick his way through the middle and catch up to her. The path he used was less traveled and the rock moved and rolled underfoot making his fastest patch toward her also the slowest for traversing. He yipped at her foolishly, like a young juvenile trying to distract her and gain ground
Quickly though the path turned upward and became steep, though not unpassable, the cooling of the afternoon let a fine mist fill the air, they were getting close to their ultimate goal, He stopped on the rock uphill and glanced toward Ame excited to be so close he could almost taste victory, If only they knew the hot spring would be down in a pit and caves, he might not be this excited.
His lower tail waved happily, showed her, without him making a conscious effort he considered her equal to him in rank, He didn't want to assert his will or role over her he wanted her approval and peace. He didn't realize what he was saying with his body he was not even thinking think clearly he just look upward trying to discern with way the wind was blowing the breeze from where was the HotSprings there were less them a kilometer from them now, the smell was not nasty but pungent nonetheless.
Ame we are so close, lead the way I want you to be the first to see it His eyes were vibrant he almost buzzed with electric energy, if it was from his nearness to her or from the closeness of the hot springs and to finishing a goal, he wasn't sure. he wanted to bolt up the incline but waited as patiently as he could his chest continuing to feel tight with pent up emotion. Emotion he had no idea what to do with, if he figured out what this emotion with his head he'd likely try to sqaush it, he was very very unlucky with it so far in his life, very unlucky... So far though his heart was good at keeping secrets from him or maybe he was just a dumb brute male that just had no clue like most other males.
She romped with her nose up, wild fur in the breeze, and lungs full of mountain air in good company -- after all, Ferdie had become.. something to her. She may not have known what, exactly, their bond may be but she didn't need to know right now anyway. It just.. was.
She had followed him without much thought, fell into step beneath his claim yet did not feel pressured by the weight of his rank. In fact, she was realizing he was curiously lax on the rules of rank when it was just the two of them. Ame had yet to decipher why exactly but this was not to say she was complaining. All the more reason to enjoy time with him.
As per usual, she just went with the flow and it was ideal, if she were one to judge. But the only issue was that their destination remained out of reach for the time. Ame could feel them getting closer, and the anticipation was just about to boil over. At least she was thankful for the cool mist to quell it, if only just some.
When the paths changed as they did, she paused to observe and hopefully hunt out the right way to go. Ferdie caught her eye when he glanced her way, too. She wiggled her tail anxiously and chuffed at him, then hopped over closer with a subtle shift in her expression; she appreciated his sentiment, and purled lowly. Ah, but I do want to share it with you,
she poked his shoulder with her muzzle before moving on to trek the incline. So you better keep up,
she smirked. These paths were odd underfoot, and she was careful when she looked over her shoulder to ensure he'd be coming alongside her.
But with every step further, the humidity in the air deepened and the mist hung heavier. She hiked on and on still, even while not fully understanding this landscape under her paws. It was bizarre, and soon, ahead she could plainly see steam rising up from somewhere very nearby. She quickened her steps until the drop off was reached -- a.. pit? Her eyes narrowed in question although her breath was sharp as realization had sprung. Was the spring far more hidden than she had anticipated? So it seemed...
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
(Ferdie's luck with water - 5) below 6 bad...
nope... poor guy
To see this photo bigger Click Here
Here's some info on Mountian hotsprings
Ferdie Von Pelt kept in good pace beside her, his head either at her shoulder of at times with her flank.
The cooling of the evening made the mist from the hot springs that they were now so tantalizing close to, thicker, almost like playing in an a heavy Fog just before a rain. When he got to far to the left of her he could hardly see her but when he was close in proximity to her he was distracted by her. It was this distraction which cost him.
As she slowed; he craned his head to see her stepping just past her, the mist having played tricks with the corner of his eye making him think there was ground where there was none.
He yelped as he plunged 10 feet to the water below. His belly contacted the water surface first slowing his descent abruptly; Sinking below the surface for a few feet before resurfacing he splashed frantically looking for something he could call shore gasping for air in his sore chest.
He found a rock at the edge and climbed up onto it, It was now he could look around and appreciate his circumstances, it appeared the water was almost coming from the rocks directly below Ame. which had helped push him below the surface just that much further a few moments ago. His paws slipped a little on the mossy rock he was perched upon as he called up to her.
Do you see anyway for me to get out? He peered around the hot spring it was fairly oblong kindof the same shape as the oasis further down the mountain. He was unable to devise a plan of escape from where he was, though to his right though the water seemed slightly calmer and looked like there may be a cave; though if it lead to anywhere else he couldn't see.
I'll be right back, he called up to her as he plunged back into the warm water with little else he could do and swam toward the cave disappearing within.
Startled, she sharpened and whipped her head towards Ferdie's yelp. What she saw was him having slipped, and what she didn't know was the case cause of it all.. She yipped back, looking anxiously down to see the outcome of this and fidgeting accordingly until his head came above the water -- a relief, sure, but she was still not able to relax.
There had to be a way down besides a descent like his. Ame tore her eyes from his sodden form, having breathed another sigh of relief when he pulled himself onto a rock. His unbelievably bad luck with water never ceased to amaze her. Are you alright?
she called to him first and foremost so that she could ease that worry, assuming all was fine.
Gesturing with her muzzle, she pointed towards one edge. The rocks look maybe passable over there from here? But they are probably slick..
she said as she trotted over to where they reached the top. Up here, they were passable and covered in grassy weeds even. Down there? Perhaps not...
He mentioned a cave and Ame's head tilted. I want to see,
she yipped, eager to hear back. If he was fine, and something interesting was on the other side, she'd make sure to find a way there. Perhaps if she found a decent path down, it could make for a passageway out.. assuming the route worked both ways. Ame didn't want to have to fall her way in and possibly get stuck, too.. She tested the top rocks with careful paws, and then paused on a sizable slab. Her furs were already wet from the mists and she was looking for spots where she could use plants to help make the path more navigable. However, a lot of it would be trial and error.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie swam into the cave but there was no end to the cave that he could see, it got darker and darker as he got away from the entrance. Though the water was warm and the humidity hung in the air, making it almost hard to breathe. He bumped a wall then paddled himself to turn around and found he couldn't see the entrance he began to panic then, in total darkness. Ame!! He called out but the words only reverberated around him, his heart pounding he starting swimming again and found the outer edge wall and when he found to wall he realized he could stand knee deep in the water where he had to swim when he was in the middle of the cave. Standing helped ease his fears just a little but he still could not see anything, blindness was not fun.
He decided to walk keeping the wall to this right maybe he'd come out to the hot spring, he headed further in. to there was a glimmer of hope he saw a little bit of light shine through the ceiling.
Whelp that sucks for him.... :D
He ran toward it only to splash into a deep pool directly below he cold not get to it from here. With only a little light to work with he climbed back to the nearest shallow ledge and whined up at the crack he could not reach.
Well be found the back he could retrace to the front if there were no other off shooting caves.... but if there were he'd be lost his heart began to pound again. Ame He howled hoping she could hear him from outside the cave if she could dig from the surface she might be able to dislodge dirt or rock to help him escape. if she could not find his little crack from the outside he'd have to brave the black tunnel again. He hoped miserably he'd not have to do that.
Ame tried to wait patiently to hear back. There was little she could do from up here besides look around and attempt to pick out a path. It was not being able to see him any longer that was really inspiring a deep worry. She paced, not that she had much room on the rock she was situated on presently, and whined quietly.
She wanted to follow. Desperately. But, it did not seem wise. She was more useful here on the other side. She hopped from rock to rock and jogged across the edge, all while her ears were keened to hear back from Ferdie.
When she could barely hear her name, she stopped dead in her tracks where she was. Ferdie! Heyy!
she called back, with a question lilting the simple words. Are you okay?
She trotted carefully towards what she thought was closer to where he was, her paws slipping on occasion but thankfully, she was skilled at navigating slippery situations. What is down there? Do you see a way out?
if he could hear her, that was. She tried to aim her voice in what she thought was his direction, wanting him to answer back so that she may track him better without sight or smell here. All she could smell was water and all she could see was.. more water, and the rocks and roots comprising the edges.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie was underground to the far right of the spring, he stood on his hind leg and reached upward like a meerkat of some sort and called again hoping that if he was closer to the hole his voice would carry outward
Ame' can you find a hole in the ground I might be able to get out it you can make it bigger
He hoped when or if she dug rock would cave in and give him a way to jump out, as it got darker outside maybe the steam would escape from the hole and she could see it better, but dark outside meant darker inside too and it was already dark enough. If he wasn't afraid of the dark before it was fast becoming a thing that made him hugely uncomfortable.
He looked behind him, he'd have to go back out if soon, least he drown trying to swim in the pitch blackness. Ame!!! He whined his voice going up three more octaves then it should be.
Anxiousness and worry began to give one another strength, which in her, was swift to turn towards a shade of frustration. Ferdie couldn't just.. get lost and stuck here! This mountain wouldn't do that.. so she liked to believe. Everything had a way and if she just.. listened, and found the rhythm, something should work itself out.
Nodding to herself, she strained to listen to him and followed his voice with a few springing steps towards where she thought the best place to start was. He sounded close to here. Closer than it had been.. over there, she thought, looking over her shoulder then back to the spot in the earth where she thought some rocks might part to make a hole.
Alright, tell me if you see anything happening from your end,
she whuffed before she began to pull the rocks aside with scrabbling paws. She hoped he would watch out.. because she didn't know what she was going to cause to fall in doing this. Hopefully nothing too major. But she had no idea what was just underneath here and what was on the other side.
Then she put her paws to digging as viciously as she could, trying and willing the earth to bend for her and open a passageway. Hopefully soon he would be able to tell exactly where she was coming from, either by light breaking through the dirt and stone or just by sound alone. Out here, this seemed like the best part to start at, so she went by what she could.
So she dug and dug and dug a little more, approaching a larger rocky part from a different side now and again to loosen it up best. I am working on it!
she called back as he whined her name, and even she was annoyed with how this was going so far. The effort poured into it was not equaling the result just yet. Eventually, she felt them shifting and dug with new fervor. A hole opened up more and more, and as she dug, she peered in, hoping to see Ferdie on the other side. She kept working despite tiring, dirty paws and feeling quite steamed from all the warm mist sticking to her fur as she continued.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
As Ame dug, the ceiling of the cave began to give way; years of steam and water had softened the earth above the crevasse. Ame's paws peeked through every now then; Her glorious paws... her soothing voice calmed Ferdie down. He leaned upward standing awkwardly on his two back paws. Digging at the earth below, with his front ones, with less purchase and tenacity lest he fall in again.
Ferdie yelped in surprise as a large boulder splashed down, more rocks followed almost a mini landslide.
Ame, Careful
Ferdie cried as he backed up, within moments the rock slide stopped and the cave was now mutely lit, Unable to wait Ferdie scrambled up the rocks and leapt out of the cave, landing with a less then graceful thud upon the solid ground. Ferdie dropped his head down and gave the ground one large lick then spit dirt out. Dirt, glorious dirt!!
Looking for Ame he began to panic again; though there was now an easy way out of the hotsprings. (He had already found the easiest way in) The light of the day was fading and if she fell into the waters if she was trapped under the landslide a rescue in the dark would be hard. not that would stop him for ripping apart every rock to get to her.
He couldn't bare the thought of losing Ame she meant so much... ... she was his pack mate, his friend, His savior. He owed her his life now, and he did not want want her claiming that debt so soon.
He panted softy stress filling every fiber of his being, making him feel weak
Ame....
Ferdie called tentatively stepping toward the new entrance to the hot springs. please jump out, please give me a heart attack he pleaded with her silently, He could not comprehend his feelings toward Ame and right now he doused them with panic ignoring the growing connection he felt.
well.... big dumb lumbering cavemen brute syndrome going on over here.
When the earth gave way, there was a mixed reaction. First was the satisfaction in progress, then a quickly-following dread as too much earth shifted and her paws couldn't back her up fast enough. She had nowhere else to go except right where this little rockslide was heading, and not for lack of trying.
The seconds to follow were a rush. She tried to keep herself guarded, but from what exactly, it was hard to say. Rocks crumbled below, her paws had nothing to hold onto and while she fell with them, they came from her new overhead. She braced accordingly and before it could even settle entirely, she pulled her legs underneath herself to press up in escape -- instinctively scared of being trapped.
She strained her legs and pulled herself free with every ounce of might she would muster. Thankfully, the rocks gave way and many of the largest pieces ended up underneath her instead of above, but she knew she would feel it tomorrow..
Frustrated, now-sore, covered in dust and debris and all soggy from the mist, she looked half a disaster and arose from the mess (or rather, the brand new entrance, but she was faster to call it a mess right now) to head towards Ferdie. Seeing him safe was some great relief that soothed the ache of all else some. She rumbled fondly to him but her ears stayed pinned, indicative of how massively unimpressed she was with this turn of events. All had been great until this and she was left feeling blindsided by bad luck. At least there's a path now..
she groaned. It had only taken both of them to find their own unfavorable situations.. but here in the end, all was okay.
She set her nose against his shoulder, sighed heavily, and stayed there -- she was worn out from the worrying, digging, trek here, and all else. At least the hot spring was found, but that didn't mean she was very happy with all that had come with it. Ame was ready to be done with it for now..
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie Von Pelt placed his chin over her neck and pulled her close to him, tucking her into his chest. Minutes passed with only the sound of trickling water, the occasional rock settling and the twin echo of their breath. After a few more moments of respite Ferdie spoke using his own voice to calm himself down further That there is... Did I ever warn you Ame, that when Water and I become involved it always seems to end badly. I'm surprised that I didn't fall in when I was perched atop the tree above the waterfall the other day. Ferdie chuckled softly but his heart was not in the chuckle, right now he was counting the blessings of just having Ame close enough to touch.
Let us mark the path some other day, right now I would love to find somewhere warm and dry! to sleep Regretfully Ferdie released Ame and stepped back. Don't supposed you already have a den dug? I've been putting that off. It wasn't' that he didn't like den's, he loved them, however he hated getting dirty while digging them. This vain fool was going to freeze to death if he didn't get something sorted, little did he know in about a months time he'd be forced to dig a den for a pregnant female and himself.
We can fade here if you like or go a post or two more and put them to bed :)
Time and its passing was of little concern to her, and she eventually refocused when he spoke. Her ears finally shifted from their flattened-out position, although remained splayed in her vague dismay. You are the unluckiest wolf I know when it comes to water,
she replied softly and poked his side with her snout. Amazingly unlucky,
and she shook her head, offering a small laugh of her own.
She nodded and once he had stepped away from her, she shook her fur. Dirty, damp and uncomfortable, she was done. Dry would be a good feeling right now, and this was coming from a wolf who liked being wet usually. She'd had enough though. I do not have one,
she replied. Formally denning did not occur to her often. She curled up wherever it appealed or wherever it was she happened to get tired. But I do know some good trees... with big roots, all mossy, well-hidden.. they are my beds,
she smirked tiredly as she offered this alternative. Ame would show him if it seemed to appeal any. However, the dark Rikudou would not fault him if not. They weren't quite a den, after all, but were certainly better than nothing. She too was looking forward to curling up and resting up.
It was where she was headed, and without another look back towards the small rockslide and the new entrance to the spring, she picked up a slow trot towards much more familiar paths.
i want to bleed in the 「r a i n」
Ferdie Von Pelt resisted the urge to nip at her hip when she turned to lead him away but he had wanted to with every fiber of his being. She moved quickly from his grasp, to quick, it made his heart sink a little. Then he wrinkled his nose. No he could not let his heart get the better of him, quickly he dashed these thoughts and fell into step behind her following her every move. The darkening night making it harder for him to track her forcing him to stay close.
Only when they came upon a thicket which smelled heavily of her did he allow space between them. it was most definitely more comfortable then where he had been sleeping. when she went curled into the mossy bed he'd follow but he'd spend a while grooming himself before he could sleep,
over an hour later he had himself mostly groomed, Ame seemed to be sleeping then... and he couldn't help himself he reached over and groomed the debris from her pelt incapable of reining himself in when it came to grooming he began to delicately pull out stray hairs as he went until every bit of her pelt exposed to him was groomed and he fell asleep in the task.