Whitefish River Come Now, Come Here, the Light Disappears [BWP P3]

not going to make private in case anyone wants to cameo seeing this go down from the outside lMAO but otherwise this thread is for @Evergreen permission to PP Eve a bit

They had never found an answer.

Days, then weeks would pass as the earth groaned louder. Whatever the final straw was, it had officially been pulled. The morning started off quiet, but soon the chorus of voices filled their home as the river and trees rebelled and mass panic emerged. Tobias had been one of the first to call a warning as the river crawled inland, and if some did not hear him they would surely hear what came next. Ira was one of the few to stay behind, checking on those who lingered to ensure they took to the plains, and it seemed Evergreen had the same idea.

The two seemed to tag team their efforts, never wandering too far as a safety parameter. It was now that the Constable was grateful Speedy had already moved her kids out of the cave, but she would never forgive herself if one had wandered back in and they failed to check. Not to mention she had not seen Vercingetorix's boy yet. Perhaps Speedy had already escorted her kids out, perhaps Vercingetorix made sure Dragomir had support to make the journey despite his still present injuries. Satisfied with their sweep of the woods she called for the bearish wolf to follow her to the cave, one final sweep. Then they too could move to the plains to rejoin with their pack.

The two traveled quickly, searching for anything important. Outside the roar grew louder as the ground shook with enough force to glue the mountain wolf in place while she tried to remain stable. An echoing boom crashed somewhere nearby, the first tree now falling as more soon followed after. They were out of time, their kingdom was collapsing before their eyes.

The roan woman turned to leave, standing near the entrance as she called back for Evergreen We need to go. The ground is growing too unstable for us to linger any— Ira was interrupted by the sound of another crash, the walls of the cavern shaking as light debris started falling. It had all happened so quickly after that. She was sure she had run or at least attempted to escape the downpour of rocks and boulders. Dust swarmed the Constable's vision, every fiber of her being telling her something was wrong. She wanted to run, why couldn't she run?

Soon not even the dust was visible as their only light source had been sealed by the last of the cavern roof. It was in the dark that the burning pain finally registered. A great weight pressed at her legs, the left especially searing as pain crept through her body. Ira pawed at the ground, desperate to pull herself free and relieve herself from the growing hell, alas she was stuck. As the earth seemed to grow silent once more, the last sound to fill the cavern was the scrabbling of claws on the stone floor and pained whines that echo off the walls.

Whitefish River is crumbling.

Evergreen cannot fathom the pain—the grief he feels settling deep into his core is similar to that of the day Thistle died. But he has to move. He has to keep going.

The ground is shifting, the river is flooding, and he has to make sure every last person makes it out alright. Tobias makes the call, and he’s ever grateful the scout knows the territories around the area. He trusts the cowboy is making a good decision on the plains. It’s close, Eve knows, but whether it’s been affected yet is a mystery.

Alongside Ira—gosh, he’ll always be thankful to her, but she’s just as stubborn and stupid as he is sometimes—he scowers the packlands, calling out to make sure no one is around that needs some extra help. By the time they reach the cave, he has to swallow his pride and goes in without even a second of hesitation. Each time he calls out, he gets more confident that it is abandoned… that everyone is safe. He feels an instance of relief, but that’s his mistake.

Ira turns to leave, and she’s right. They had to go.

They had to then, and he relaxed, just for that second. Suddenly everything is crashing. The walls and the ceiling is tumbling down. Rocks smashing into the ground with enough force that the sound itself makes his ears go ringing—unable to handle the magnitude of it all.

Ira! The bear calls out, rushing forward towards the entrance as it is quickly engulfed, and the duo are left in pitch darkness. The metallic scent that suddenly settles into the air makes him go pale. Ira…? He chokes out—‘please, please be okay. Please be alive.’

At first there was only ringing, so much so the constable failed to notice the bear's rush over or the frantic call of her name. Somehow she felt like she was on fire yet numb at the same time. It wasn't until her name was called out again, this time closer but much weaker, that Evergreen's voice reached her ears.

H-Here— She grunted trying to pull her hind legs free once more only to be stopped by the surge of pain that ripped up her side. A whine ripped from her throat as the roan woman finally gave in panting. My legs are stuck—

His lip trembles, fear quaking the massive wolf until he hears her call back to him. Relief lasts for only a second, however, for the smell of metallic blood seeps into the air and every hair upon Eve stands on end. He rushes forth to her side, attempting to nose gently upon her shoulder. His eye adjusts to the darkness, and the sight has his heart sinking.

He is no medic, not Speedy who would know what to do in his situation. We'll be alright, they'll notice— The bear swallows thickly, nervous despite his desire to off the roan Constable comfort.

Ira had known the bear for too long now. She could tell he was panicking, but of course, he tried to hide that. What was he if not heroic...an act would not do much for them now though. Evergreen tried to comfort her and to some degree, it worked. She appreciated it, but the rocks digging into her really kept her from thinking too much on an 'eventually'. Right...do you think you can dig us out? At least my legs— The searing pain was starting to grow numb, something she should be thankful for, but she knew that was only bad news.

Y-yeah! I’ll,,, I’ll dig from inside here, too— Eve rambles, trying to look anywhere but her leg trapped underneath the rubble. He really doesn’t know what to do right now. If he were to try moving it out, would she bleed out? Would it be better to move it now so the weight doesn’t break bone—if it hasn’t already?

Should… Should I try? He says, swallowing thickly again, and shifting his good eye towards Ira’s face. Round ears flatten.

:^) my slow response time needs to be yeeted out the window

"Should… Should I try?"

It had to be worth the effort, sitting here would do nothing, at least attempting was doing something. The constable grunted as she once more tried pulling herself free with no luck and a spark of pain. What other options do we have? Ira swallowed trying to wet her dry mouth, her eyes now locked on the stone floor as her vision adjusted to the darkness.