Otter Creek After the Storm

Pre estrus thread. Dated for Jan 14th, 2024. Daytime.

After a fleeting absence, Aliki remerged in the wilds. This time, from the south. As always, she gravitated towards any water source she could find. Winter had set in, with a frigid layer of deep snow coating the ground. That was not a problem for her. Her fur had already thickened for the season, keeping her well insulated. Even if she should get wet, chilly paws were something she had become used to in her youth.

Along the bank of a narrowly flowing stream, alone, she was aware of the subtle shifts in her scent. Skimming the cold waters, she doubted there would be much in the way of fish at this time of year. But the resident otter still hung around. One of those would make for quite the prize, but they were no push overs.

Contemplating her options, she did what was natural. Left a trail as she scouted the area. A calling card, announcing her status. For the moment, she was alone in the wilds.

Untamed. Free.

Easy roamed the flatlands with a tiny smile on her face, glowing with the hope of new life stirring within her. She would not know for a while yet if the adventurer's seed had taken, but she felt they'd both given it their best try. Now, her estrus was fading, and she smelled instead of their coupling — something she ought to remedy, before she returned to her boys!

She came to the creek and waded in without hesitation, and dripped her dark head to drink. When she lifted it again, it was to see an unfamiliar figure sparkling in the sunlight. Easy sloshed in that direction, and then pulled herself back onto the embankment to shake water from her dark fur.

"It's a beautiful day," she said, a knowing smile on her face. "Are you hoping for company other than me? Or might I join you for a little while?"