Duck Lake where are the birds

ooc; for anyone

back to the Rising Sun Valley once more. Heloise felt weary at last after her constant travels. though she desired to go back to the Emberwood, she would stop at this lake; unable to go further without some rest. it seemed the infamous ducks of this area were somewhere else as she dipped her head to the waters and drank. a few feathers were a testament to their presence. she suspected the avians had taken off and would return eventually. she was not one to know the mind of a duck, however.

limbs felt eager, however, tired as they were. she was grateful for the vast expanse of the Teekons. it meant lots of different landscapes to explore. she could be here for a full year and still not see all that it offered. stifling an unlady-like yawn, Heloise would slump to the earth. fire burned in her muscles. she needed to rest. it was still the middle of the day, and therefore she saw no danger in being in the open. she could easily see from all sides. no one could sneak up on her. or so she assumed.

Restless legs carried the budding warrior on the move. Away from the mountains, which were his first stop in this ripe new wilderness. Yanna knew there was so much more to see. So much more hidden potential to discover. The agouti brute was like a lost piece of a jigsaw puzzle; all he had to do was find the right fit.

The wide open expanse surrounding the lake was a far cry from the stony peaks he had left behind. As a lone figure, he sifted through the openness unhindered. At his feet, a few dozen feathers littered the ground. By sight alone, he knew they belonged to ducks. They were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps something had spooked them. He gave a gruff snort through his nose. Just as well. He would not rather waste his energy on something that wasn't guaranteed, which would only sate his hunger for a day at least.

Stone faced as always, he circled to the far side of the lake, showing no sign whatsoever that he had seen the lounging white female. Yanna was far from inattentive. Thanks to his rigorous training and strict moral code, he always had one ear and eye open. He knew she was there. Taking a position at the waters edge so she could perfectly view him, he knelt down silently to drink. When he was finished, he drew his muzzle away, cold water droplets clinging to dark lips. With a low grumble and a slight narrowing of pale yellow eyes, he stared across the water. Perhaps contemplating a cold swim to keep in top form.

there was a movement that caught her eye easily. Heloise's face would turn to look at the man, though she said nothing to him. her pale gaze watched his frame and wondered if he would leave soon. he said nothing to her, perhaps never did see her, and she saw no reason to announce herself. at least not yet. his focus seemed to be on the water, contemplating something.

she would shift to look at it too, wondering yet again where the ducks where. maybe startled by the presence of so many wolves. maybe someone had eaten them. she did not know, could only guess. "hm" she uttered, closing her eyes briefly. Heloise had no inkling of what to say to the stranger, so she kept her mouth shut.

her gaze returned to him, however, and if he should look up and around, he would surely see him looking right at him.

Without the ducks to get in the way or to cause a scene, Yanna decided to take the plunge. Had it still been winter, the icy water would have been deadly. Any wolf who went for a polar dip would succumb to hypothermia if they couldn't warm themselves up or dry off quickly. 

But it was springtime. The water was still frigid, but not lethal. It was just cold enough to send a shock through the muscles of ones body. Exactly what the budding warrior wanted. He needed that burn to feel alive, to test his body. Staring straight ahead yet not directly at the white female in front of him, the behemoth bravely plunged into the depths. Not with a grand splash, but with a calculated and powerful stride. The icy fingers of the water slid over his back and rolling powerful shoulders. The jolt from the cold went straight to his core. His lips tightened, a low growl of concentration (or was it indulgence?) that vibrated from his throat. With deliberate, powerful strokes, he swam to the opposite bank, but did not emerge. He wanted to stay in as long as possible, until his muscles were on the verge of locking up. "Extreme conditions only strengthen the body." Was all he said in his low, usual monotone voice. Yanna was no wimp. A little pain and ice bath wouldn't put him off.

the other would plunge into the lake. Heloise did not even step back should he have sprayed her with the water. no, she remained where she was. a bit amused he had done that instead of addressing her presence. he'd come back around, muttering low enough though she caught the gist of his words. a nod was given. "I agree" without pause, she'd march into the lake with him. the cold tingled her body yet due to her thicker coat she was not entirely bothered by it. she stood, half-way submerged and half not. "a good bout is usually how I entertain my muscles" she'd muse with a small chuckle "though swimming has its merits too."

His eyes locked with hers, not in challenge, but in quiet interest. Then down her face and over her muzzle, with the scar marking it. Huh. A second wolf with a scar as well. He showed no surprise when she got up and entered the lake with him. "Ah, I see you aren't afraid of more than a little effort in your workout. That's good." 

Yanna slowly drifted closer but kept plenty of space between them, emerging only halfway out of the water when his paws touched solid ground. His agouti coat was water logged, the thick muscles under his skin only twitching faintly. "My family...my parents specifically, had me take just such a swim each and every morning." He turned his head to share a look with the lady whose name he had yet to learn. "Care to join me for a round?"