Blacktail Deer Plateau We will welcome summer's ghost

Title's from a Henry Rollins quote: "We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage. We will welcome summer's ghost." :)

Tagging: @Blue Willow

One of the season's last storms rolled in from over the distant ocean, making its way inland deeper into the wilds. Peregrine watched it from his perch at the edge of the plateau, though he moved backward into the woods before the rain could start to fall. He retreated into a thicket, where he curled up to wait out the storm. He didn't mean to fall asleep, yet the summer rain hypnotized him.

He woke perhaps thirty minutes later, just in time to catch the last of the storm as it drifted toward distances unknowable. The Alpha male stood, shook out his damp coat and stepped out of the thicket. The air was dim and slightly thick. Despite his nap, he felt foggy and sleepy. Since it would not be long before the light failed completely, Peregrine began to walk deeper into the woods, ready to find Fox or Lasher (or both), maybe get frisky, then bed down for the evening.

Blue stepped from the den as the last storm's cry went out across the land, and the rain settled to a drizzle then nothing. The air was clean and it smelled heavenly. She didn't much like the mud squishing between her paws, but the scent alone was enough to make up for it. She made a path through the large thicket that the plateau wolves called home. Her green eyes alight and bright with a bit of happiness. She had her fair share of sadness lately, but she also tried her hardest to find the good and the happy where she could. It would do Atticus no good to be sick herself on the inside so she worked at it.

As she walked she hummed softly to herself, thinking of her mother and her father, and how her father would be joining the love of his life soon. It was actually not a horrifying thought, it was a painful one, but he deserved this. He had lived long, and he had done her well. He deserved to die softly and happily, without fear that Blue would be crushed.

Although he found neither of his bedfellows, the wolf he stumbled into was no less loved and welcomed company on this stormy eve. "'Ey, Willow," Peregrine drawled a bit sleepily, his words punctuated by a distant and fading grumble of thunder. "What're you doing out here in all this... wet? You should be somewhere dry and toasty. That's where I'm headed." A lopsided smile appeared on his face, then a touch more seriously, he asked, "What's up?"

Blue chuckled at his sleepy drawl. Hello Perry. I am just walking. The fresh scent of all things clean and new, was too much to pass up. She gave him a smile and studied him to make sure all was okay. A habit she had formed, always wanting to check on her family and friends.

She shrugged at his next question, not sure how to answer it. What was she to say that her mind was on Atticus as it always was and her father's impending death? It was only a matter of time. She wanted to tell him all these things, but she always seemed to be complaining to him, and she didn't want to be know as that wolf .The one who complained all the time about her woes. She shifted a little bit, I was merely thinking, and finding happy things to think about. I will do Atticus no good unhappy.

The naked honesty of her answer cleared out the last sleepy cobwebs from Peregrine's brain. He leveled Blue Willow with a thoughtful glance, then moved closer to her, sliding his nose along her cheek. He then swung around so that they stood shoulder to shoulder, though he was several inches taller than her.

"You know what I think we both need? A good run. I'm talking full tilt, hearts and lungs bursting, tongues flailing out of our mouths, everything passing by in a blur. You up for it?"

Blue accepted the gesture, licking the bottom of his chin as he slid his nose across her. She wondered what he was doing that he pulled up beside her, like they were going to race. She tilted her head and waited for an explanation. She was a big wolf, but Perry still stood a few shoulders above her.

Blue smiled largely at his offer, one thing she had not had time to do, but that she loved was run. She hadn't even thought of running, her mind being so twisted and turned around. Yes but i'll beat you Perry. She smiled then and snorted. Bending her legs and shaking her paws she was ready who would go first. On the count of three?

"No," he answered lightly, gently, staying her by arching his head in front of her, then catching her eye. "We're not going to race. We're going to run together. We're going to leave all our worries behind us. We're going to forget about Atticus and Junior and all of our hurts. We're going to fly and be free. Okay?" He smiled, then withdrew to stand parallel with her again, giving her a sidelong glance to make sure she was ready.

Blue listened and blinked quickly to stay the tears that threatened to choke her. At her friends kindness, Okay. She whispered gently and then brushing his shoulder gently with her muzzle Shall we best friend? With a twitch of her tail she began to count, throwing her tail up above her back and leaning forward to dig her paws into the dirt so she didn't slip starting out. 1....2...3... Then with a soft GO She began mud flying up her back legs and hanging heavy on her paws she didn't even think on it. The wind rippled her fur around her chest and ears and her eyes narrowed as she quickened her pace, fighting to gain control of herself. She felt the wings of speed and hurt and sadness nipping at her heels so she increased her speed, breath heaving in quickened gulps as the tears finally did escape and taste salty on her cheeks, leaving permanent tear tracks for the day.

Her large body tore up the ground as she ran in tune with her friend, she did not pay attention to his face, letting him heal his hurt too, but she did keep pace or maybe it was he that kept pace. She wasn't sure, but they were close and they were running and she began to heal just a little bit more this time.

Blue Willow agreed, then began to count. At the right moment, he sprang forward in tandem with her and the pair of black wolves streaked across the plateau. Peregrine did his best to shorten his pace so that they remained together, side by side and stride for stride.

When they found their natural rhythm, he faced forward and let go of his thoughts. He enjoyed all the physical sensations of the run, from the cool, damp breeze on his face to the feeling of mud slinging across his legs and underbelly. He drank in the scent of o-zone left over from the storm and felt the tickling burn as his lungs rapidly expelled his breath. More than anything, he could feel the pounding of his heart, which matched the pounding of not only his paws but his friend's as well.

He could run like this for days. Peregrine glanced sideways and swore he saw tears streaming from his friend's eyes. Yet he didn't slow. He grinned at her, tongue lolling from his black muzzle, then tossed his head back and forth and gave a loud and booming bark.

Blue Willow was pleased at the rate at which they ran, both in tune with each other. It did her heart good. The feel of the ground as her feet would hit it, the cool mud as it slung onto her back legs and underside. She felt alive and free and she counted her blessings, perhaps she just needed a little perspective.

She chuckled at Perry’s bark, but she joined in barking her own bark. She began to slow and her slow jog turned into a walk and she walked to work her breath and calm her lungs down. Thank you Perry I needed that. She gave him a small smile as she walked the kinks out.

Not long after his bark, both of them slowed, their breath spent. Panting, Peregrine braked and transitioned into a brisk walk. He nodded at Blue Willow, smiling, though he didn't have the breath to speak at the moment. For several minutes, he just walked beside her, his tongue lolling from his mouth. Every so often, he licked his jowls to wipe away the frothy foam that gathered at the corners of his mouth and dripped from his dark lips.

"My sister really showed me the joy of running, though I'll never have anything on her in the speed or stamina departments," Peregrine shared when he could finally talk, just making friendly conversation.

Blue's own tongue hung out and she walked slowly, okay with the quiet air around them. She couldn't have spoken much more even if she wanted too, she was due for a large nap as well. She had spent much of her stored energy. She tilted her head and would occasionally lick her lips to keep from spitting everywhere.

Blue chuckled as her breath finally came back. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. I have always run when upset. It has calmed me down. Speaking of your sister I owe her a run and a story. She laughed then and continued walking slowly beside her friend.

"I owe her a visit too. I haven't seen that much of her since she came back," Peregrine said. "I think Osprey prefers to lay low and lead a simple life. I'm not about to hold that against her. I've had so many highs and lows since I came to live on the plateau. It's kind of nuts in hindsight. I know you can relate." He tossed Blue Willow a fond smile. Of course she could. That's why they'd needed this run together.

"Hey, how's your old man doing?" the Alpha wondered, bounding effortlessly over a log in their path.

Blue chuckled yes well she expects a coming home party full with stories and food and a unicorn too. Blue laughed out loud at the sheer absurdity of the words she just uttered. But that was why she loved Osprey, why she counted her a friend. She was unique and it was widely endearing. Blue did not bother answering his statement with a yes, just nodded her head quickly. It was true chaos tended to rein in their little home.

Blue sighed at the next question he is dying any day now. His spirit just doesn’t want to let go, but his body is far over being old. I am trying to not be too sad, this is a death he deserves. He has lived a long time, he deserves a rest. She grew quiet then unsure what else to say. I take it you met him then?

"I know what you mean," Peregrine said when Blue Willow shared her perspective on her father's upcoming death. "Both of my parents lived long lives. It was definitely sad when my dad died — my mother didn't pass until after I was gone — but it wasn't a tragedy, you know? They both lived such meaningful lives."

He nodded in response to her question. "I've spoken with him a few times. He's great. He loves you very much, Willow. And I told him he raised a wonderful daughter."

Blue's lips twitched I think I would have liked to have met your parents. I have heard a bit about them now and they sound like i would have liked them. Though i think your mother would have given me heart palpitations, while being endearing. She had heard a bit from both brothers, even a bit from Osprey herself. Crete she supposed would have told her, had he stuck around to get to know her.

Blue bowed her head I know he does, I love him very much too. Thank you Perry that means a lot to me. She grew quiet and just walked along beside him, happy within the day, learning and healing and running. Who would have thought that a run could be so refreshing.

Peregrine guffawed when Blue Willow said she would've liked to meet them. "You would've liked my dad and he would've liked you," he said, "but my mother would've given you a stroke. If you think I'm bad..." He just shook his head, laughing lightly.

The pair lapsed into a companionable silence as they ambled along. The air was now dark and crickets and cicadas were singing in the woods. Peregrine's ears flicked hither and thither and he eventually paused, taking a deep breath and simply listening to all the sounds of the rain-washed night, motioning for Blue Willow to do the same.

Blue chuckled Perhaps she would have, but if she is anything like the three of you I think I would find it endearing. I allow you, Atticus and Osprey to get away with far more than I would let most language wise and I find it funny and cute. SHe smiled at him, it was true. She couldn't make sense of it, but she allowed them much more leeway around her with their language than she would most. Perhaps it was just so much apart of them that she couldn't see them any other way.

Blue Willow stopped and sat to her haunches and listened, her green eyes glowing in the dark. It was a beautiful symphony of nightland creatures and it soothed her frayed nerves. Tell your secrets to the shadow She grew quiet then a simple whisper of the words.

Peregrine's dusky eyes flicked to his friend, then slowly scanned the forest as he continued to listen for several minutes. The cacophony seemed to ebb and flow, gentle susurrations of sound. He knew that, in just a few weeks, the woods would grow chill and quiet with the onset of autumn. These were summer's last symphonies until the spring thaw.

The Alpha eventually tipped his snout into the air and let out a low howl, which didn't carry far. The insects fell quiet, though only for a few beats, then began singing again. His lips twitched.

"I guess they didn't like my solo," he observed to his companion. "Goodbye summer. Hello autumn." Peregrine sighed, then turned to Blue Willow more fully and said, "Time to head to bed. I'll see you on the flip side." With a gentle parting smile, he slipped past her, in the direction of somewhere warm to sleep.

Blue chuckled though this time she did not add her howl, preferring to listen to her friends ring along the lands. She laughed when he spoke of them not liking his solo. Guess they didn't. Goodnight Perry. She watched as he went the opposite way, and she would sit for a few minutes more and then leave to sleep in her own corner of the plateau.