Post by Curiosity on Dec 18, 2008 23:38:02 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Storm, female wolf, Lazuli alpha
Haze, male wolf
Larkspur, female wolf (spoofed by Haze)
Shikoba, female wolf
Brushtail, female wolf
Bodhi, male wolf
(IC assumption that others of the Lazuli pack were present as well)
(briefly)
Titan, juve. male dog
Yuma, male cougar
Adoun, male cat
=== Dense Undergrowth ===
As afternoon slowly turns into evening Storm is settled before the den, she had been gone most of the day, travling around the pack lands on her own as this is what she wished. There are many things she had to go, in her mind to get her ready for what she was about to do. The aging alpha is now waiting for a few others to join the group before they get ready to leave. Her ears twitch forward while her gaze drifts towards where she knows the mountains lay. Many strange sounds have gotten her attention, along with the chittering of other small animals in the valley about what might be going on up there. The alpha only hopes the pack can get moving before anything major happens.
Larkspur's pregnancy is no longer a secret to the pack -- at least, when she emerges from the den. The first-time mother has been particularly affected by her condition, no doubt complicated by the death of her father, and Haze has been sure to take care of her as best as he can. He emerges from the underground den now, maw bloody from sharing a small hare with his mate, and his alert eyes are quick to notice Storm's return - and, even in the short time he's been here with Larkspur, he's already come to recognize her as -his- alpha, not just -the- alpha. As such, he too has heard of the pack's intentions to head south, away from where the cougars were last known to be, and he's prepared to do all he can to help guide them back towards his most recent home. "Storm? I think Larkspur's feeling well enough to get moving now, if you're ready to call the pack together." He wants them moved before their pups are born, and he knows the perfect place to keep them -- and the rest of the pack -- safe and sheltered.
Storm ears twitch backwards and she looks towards the movement of her daughter and her mate. A slight smile is offered to the pair while she slowly pushes herself up so she's sitting. "I'm glad to hear that." She leans closer to her daughter and nuzzles at her cheek. Even though she and Lark had not spoken much since Felstride's death, Storm had a feeling her daughter might be expecting pups, and well seems she was right. Her gaze drifts over who all is already here, sleeping and what not. Stretching she lifts her head and lets out a howl to get the rest of the pack back to the densite. Everyone know they would be moving soon and today is the day. "Hopefully the others won't take long to get back."
At the Dense Undergrowth, Storm howls.
Larkspur's a little wobbly on her feet, both from the added weight between her legs and the faint feeling she occasionally gets from her pregnancy, but she still has the strength to return her mother's nuzzle with a tired smile. Haze shares an encouraging glance with his mate, then turns back to Storm, ears pricking at the howl, listening for return calls or the approaches of others. "If you want, I can help direct us the quickest way to the south -- that's where Lark and I were living before we came to visit. There's a big cavern I found down there that'd be perfect for us to take shelter in, too," he offers with a slight wag of his tail, eager to help his mate's family as much as he can.
There's much rustling in the underbrush, not long after Storm beacons. It grows nearer and closer, until a young adult wolf bursts into view. She must have been running prior, because she's just a little out of breath and heaving faintly when she comes to a stop. Is this it? They're leaving tonight? Shikoba's eyes settle on Storm, then at the other wolves that are already here. She knew it would be soon, though, so this should come as no surprise.
Brushtail is sitting down nearby. She still hasn't gotten over her father's death, and still has her more serious personality on. This could be good news for the pack, as she might otherwise slow them down with her antics. She continues to sit silently until the time comes for them to leave for the trip.
Bodhi skids to a halt aswell as he reaches the densite from the direction of the mountains seemingly being quite out of breath having been running for a fair while already, yet pushing himself a bit harder once he heard Storm's howl. His gaze surveying the densite and everybody in it with a furrowed brow trying to figure out what is going on, his coat carrying scents more familiar to the mountains.
Storm nods as she hears Haze. "Alright, this sounds like a good idea." She offers with a few sways of her tail as she takes in a faint breath. Her gaze turns towards the new movement and she offers a slight smile to both Shikoba and Brushtail, at least they have showed up. "Helios and Cyrus might just have to follow after us.." The alpha looks towards Bodhi watching him curiously. "Hello Bodhi.."
"I'm sure they'll be able to find us now that they know where we're headed," Haze answers Storm with a nod before he glances over at the out-of-breath Bodhi, recognizing him as one of the first Lazuli wolves he met when he and Larkspur made their way back to her homelands. His head tilts slightly to the side, paused mid-step as he glances from the male back to the alpha female, wondering if this is something that needs to be addressed now or can be discussed along the way.
Shikoba sits down for a moment, ears perk as she takes note of Bodhi's arrival. She sniffs in his direction, brows quirking. "Where have you been?" She's never been to the mountains, so the scent is entirely alien to her. Then she glances at Storm, a little unsure. "Are we really going to leave now?"
Brushtail looks at Storm, "And are we really going to be safer where we are going? The cougars have scared me since..." She really doesn't like bringing up her father, especially in front of her mother.
Bodhi staying silent for a short while to regain his breath slightly he dips his head respectfully to Storm before turning his attention to Shikoba "I went to make sure a friend of mine was still safe after i heard that she had been forbidden to seek refuge with us" his gaze then turning to Storm "May i ask where we are heading, i do not think the mountains will be safe considering what i saw while there, nor do i think this area will be safe for much longer."
Storm eyes Bodhi faintly a few moments before shaking her head and starts to move off. "We can go now Haze.." Seems she's not happy with Bodhi, but this wouldn't be a first time. She will speak to them when they get too there new home. "Yes.. We have to leave now Shikoba. I know it might seem strange, but everything will be alright." The alpha doesn't want to leave, but after everything she can't take a chance anymore. She looks to her younger daughter and offers a soft smile. "I hope we will.. But I can not promise anything." Her ears perk forward as she hears Bodhi. "We're heading southwards.. You can tell us about what you say as we travel.." The alpha pauses and frowns as she hears Bodhi. "You saw that /wolf/?" She questions while eyeing Bodhi thinly a moment. "The one with the -dogs-?" A snort escapes her before she turns her back to Bodhi. "Everyone, it is time to go.. Now.." She doesn't want to hear anything dealing with Skelaghe, perhaps the alpha blames the other for what has happened seeing how the cougars were after the three.
Haze speaks up at Brushtail's question, and then Bodhi's remark, offering as reassuring as a smile as he can to the other wolves. "There weren't many cougars where we're headed, at least when Larkspur and I were still there." Except for Maulisho and her small entourage, of course -- but even they aren't there anymore, unbeknownst to the pair. "And if you say the mountains aren't safe, then that definitely confirms my thoughts of heading towards the desert instead." For a passing moment, he remembers his former pack and family, living in the valley, and wonders if they are seeking safety as well -- but then his mind returns to the present, and he nods at Storm, starting to lead the gathered pack south along the river.
=== Fallen Log ===
Shikoba has more she wishes to ask, but senses that the alpha probably has better things to worry about than her silly little inquiries. Keeping her mouth shut, she follows, although casts a few sidelong glances at Bodhi. Her expression isn't negative, though, it's one of sheer inquisitiveness. If her walkabout hadn't been put on hold, the mountains would have been the first place she would have gone to.
Brushtail silently follows, unsure of the destination. She senses some possible anger in Storm, and decides it is best not to talk to her, or do anything to make her angry.
Bodhi follows not to far behind Storm "While i was by the mountain i saw chunks of ice split and fall from the mountain tops, that usuall means from what i've seen before joining the Lazuli that a lot of ice will be melting" his gaze turning toward the mountains " in short we can expect unusual high levels of water in the near future" a deep sigh escaping his lips "and yes i did travel to ensure Skelaghe's safety since i consider her one of my best friends and somebody i would trust with my life" his gaze shifting to Storm again "And we will never agree in regards to dogs since i consider a few of them to be very close friends aswell, tho i will agree that some of them are nothing but trouble"
Storm says nothing as she follows Haze and Larkspur, a ear flicking as she listions to Bodhi. Her eyes narrow slightly as Bodhi talks on an on about why he went, and how he feels about dogs. "You should thank your so called friend for bring the cougars right to are lands then.. The cougars was after her and the /dogs/." A simple snort escapes her. She did hear the part about the breaking and melting ice. Seems like they are leaving just in time if this is true.
=== Two-River Fork ===
Titan gazes at the cougar gently nodding to him. "Yes, some animals can and do live with humans, there tends to be mutual benefits in it for the animal and human when such aragments are had, like I kept m humans happy and they fed me and played with me." He says looking down at the rabbit. "Though living with humans will make you soft... it took me forever.. to learn how to hunt." Forever for him was of course two or three days.
Haze leads the pack onward, one ear turned back to absentmindedly listen to the conversation between Bodhi and Storm as he treads south through the forest, not far from the river bordering the packlands to the east. As they reach the fork between where the rivers meet, Haze's paws step into much soggier marsh than he expected to this far back from the banks, watery soil squishing around his toes. He glances over between the two rivers, frowning briefly, though he hasn't lived in the forest enough to recognize that they're much fuller than usual, the spillover explaining the wet ground between them. But then Bodhi's words from earlier ring in his mind, and he glances back at the rest of the pack. "Looks like it's already starting to happen, even down here." He glances between the two rivers, and fights to suppress the flashbacks triggered by the sight, turning to offer his mate a consoling lick, realizing that she, too, is likely remembering the same event. "Let's go ahead and cross while we can. Maybe if we're lucky the cougars will be trapped behind us." He glances up at the sound of other voices in the area, pausing briefly to scan their surroundings.
Being a native of the wilderness, Yuma has never seen the human structures mentioned by Adoun - he has no real concept of the way men live, or how drastically different it is from the lives of wild animals. He sits quietly while he takes in the cat and dog's explanations. He considers this another example of just how vast the world really is, and how much he has yet to learn about it. Situated near the base of the waterfall, the crashing water drowns out the sound of the wolves' approach, and he fails to notice them... for now, too intent on the conversation to pay attention to his surroundings. "So they... take care of you? And what do you do for them?"
Again, Adoun is silent, simply continuing to groom himself. If he is interested in Titan's answer, he gives no indication of it. Like Yuma, the small feline does not notice anyone approaching their position.
Shikoba pays close attention to the things being said, about the ice in the mountain, and how it's going to deepen the waters. Her heart thumps, almost audibly, as she thinks about it. With effort, she tries not to be bothered that much, although it's hard. Her nerves, though, take a turn for the worse when Haze suggests that they actually go across the river. Her eyes flash with panic for a second, and she freezes in place, her eyes glued to the flowing waters lying in their path. She doesn't even notice, at first, that there are others here before them.
Titan smiles gently him too not noticing the wolves as he then trys to gather a explamation. "Well, I didn't really work, i was jsut me I acted happy bounced around and get pettings I made them happy and therefor I got rewarded by getting fed and being kept nice and warm" He says thinking of those fond days back when he got petting and ear scritches and sooo much attention, but he realizes lookign about him at the cat and cougar. Those days are gone.
Brushtail suddenly looks nervous, "C...cross? Are you sure it is safe? It is deeper than it normally is." She is not normally afraid of crossing the river, but the ice has made it deeper.
Bodhi furrows his brows slightly as he looks at the river toughtfully "Its not all that much deeper then it normally is yet, so it would likely be wise of us to cross before the water grows even higher" his head tilting to look at those seeming worried "would it help if i swim alongside you while you cross since i do not mind crossing back and forth a few times" his gaze turning to Storm for a moment as he offers a soft "we can talk about skel once we have arrived at our location, for now we should focus on getting there since that has a higher priority for both of us i think"
Storm nods as she hears Haze and glances after the two as they cross before she looks back to Shikoba and Brushtail. She moves back to them and noses both. "Come now.. it'll be alright, but we must pass through it. You can walk next to me an I'll make sure your both alright." She didn't have a problem with water, though she knows some of the others might. Her ears perk as she hears other voices but her attention is on the two wolves she is next too. A glare is offered to Bodhi as his comment to her. "You disappoint me Bodhi.. An this is all I have to say on the matter." She looks to the girls. "Lets get going girls." The alpha an Bodhi will talk more later on the subject, but right now yes there are other things that need to be done.
As the alpha seems to judge the other voices unimportant for the time being, Haze is quick to follow her lead - they didn't seem to notice their own approach, anyway, and he still can't spot the speakers anyway, the other trio conveniently hidden from view behind a full patch of tall cat-tails. Careful to stay right up against Larkspur's side, he carefully guides her towards the water with a deep breath to steady himself. Leading her into the slow-flowing river, the pair dog-paddle to the other side, heads kept well above water; no longer are they able to wade on their paws as they were on their first trip across.
Curious as he is, Yuma finds himself glancing away from the two smaller animals, gazing up at the waterfall with a faint frown. It took him a moment to notice, but it sounds as though the sound of rushing water has grown somewhat louder than it was before. The cougar fails to connect this with the periodic rumblings he has heard throughout the day, strange, distant thunder that sounded like it was coming from higher up in the mountains. Yuma's tail twitches, and his gaze shifts downward again - and that is when he spots several shapes crossing the river. He can barely hear their voices, but he knows what they are: wolves. That howl must have sounded much closer than he thought. The burly cougar has no particular fear of wolves, but a whole pack of them is somewhat intimidating. Hopefully, they are just passing through.
Shikoba opens her mouth to respond, but the words are hard to force out. It feels like her whole throat has gone dry. "I... but I can't swim." She looks back and forth along the river, her legs trembling slightly. Truth is, she's never actually tried. "What if I can't get out?" Storm and Bodhi's words do little to comfort her. She /wants/ to be brave enough, but for some reason, her paws just won't move a step closer.
Titan looks over at Yuma. There conversation has hit a dead end and it isn't until Yuma seems to be staring at something that he looks down river and sees the forms. He comes to the same thought as yuma, but where the heck they going?" he wondered. Yet He didn't make a peep. He foudn friendly wolves but packs he noticed, were decidedly less friendlier to him.
Brushtail can swim, and decides to cross on her own. If the other wolves did it, then it must be safe for her, right. She manages to swim across without much trouble, but cannot shake the feeling that there are others here besides the pack...
Bodhi pads over alongside Shikoba and offers her a friendly nuzzle "you can get out, i'm sure of it and belive you can do it" a soft smile on his lips "and i will be right by your side"
Storm looks towards Brushtail as she makes it across before looking back to Shikoba. "Its alright.. I'll be at one side and Bodhi will be at the other. Just do what we do alright?" The alpha questions as she starts to moving into the water.
=== Trickling River ===
Haze and Larkspur quickly clamber out on the other side, the mated pair shaking out their soaked fur in unison, leaving them both rather fluffy-looking afterwards. Brushtail is quick to join them, but Haze glances back across the river to see that Shikoba is still reticent to even get closer to the river. "Trust me, I know it's scary," he calls out in an attempt to reassure her. "But the current isn't so bad right now...and like Bodhi said, it'd be better to just get it done now than wait for it to get higher, as it seems to be."
A soft whine emerges from the back of Shikoba's throat. "Okay... okay, I'll do it." She finally acquiesces, taking a step toward the river beside both Storm and Bodhi. The breath catches in her throat as her paws sink into the water, and involuntarily she shivers. Nevertheless, she continues on. She doesn't want to be left behind, more than she's terrified of the water.
Brushtail watches Shikoba cross the water, but she is more worried about Bodhi and Storm. She also knows her place and will try to keep out of the argument when it eventually comes. She also notices Shikoba shivering, and gets worried. "Are you alright?" she calls out, hoping she makes it across.
Bodhi smiles softly as he steps into the water alongside Shikoba and having recalled her earlier look murrs softly as he remains close to her side "Think of all the interesting things we will see once we have crossed the river and gotten to our destination"
Storm makes her way further into the water, still next to Shikoba's side as she paddles through the water to reach the other side. "We're nearly at the other side, your doing fine Shikoba."
Shikoba cringes as her belly submerges into the current, and the water splashes against her side. She can't really watch what Storm and Bodhi are doing, unable to see their paws beneath the water. So she does her best to push herself along, legs flailing in a motion vaguely like that of running, minus the part where she's actually touching solid ground. It feels like forever, but at last she finds footing on the opposite bank, and Shikoba scrambles over to drier ground, gasping in relief and shock.
Brushtail smiles at the sight of Shikoba apparently safe and sound on their side of the river. "See? It isn't so bad once you finish doing it."
Bodhi murrs softly as he nuzzles Shikoba gently after getting ashore "You did great" His gaze then turning to the others for a moment "move ahead without me, i will catch up to you again but i am going to go down the stream a little bit and warn that group to get away from the river incase they haven't figuring out the looming danger"
=== Grassy Plains ===
Haze's tail wags a little as Shikoba successfully makes it across, happy to avoid yet another situation like the ones he's already been in twice, once with Larkspur and once his now-dead brother. He nods at Bodhi, glancing back at Storm afterwards as they continue to pad forward as a pack. Once their paws are back on completely dry land again, the brindle-furred male pauses, turning to face the alpha female as Larkspur settles down to rest on her belly, panting. "Should we rest here for a little while, now that we've crossed? We've still got another bit of a ways to go before we reach the cave I mentioned, and it'd give the others time to catch up," he suggests, tail held low to show that Storm's word still goes.
Shikoba thanks both Storm and Bodhi with a nuzzle to either, then steps away so she can shake off her pelt. She's actually rather surprised with herself for making it. "You're right." She says to Brushtail, with a faint wag of her tail. She glances at Haze when he suggests resting, and is indeed very tempted. "Will it be safe here?" She wonders, sniffing the air and looking about the land she's never seen before.
Storm offers a smile to Shikoba before her gaze turns back the way she came pondering about the others. She gives herself a shake before she pads towards where Haze and Larkspur is. A nod is offered to Haze. "We can rest here a bit. I think for the moment we're be fine Shikoba.." The cougars haven't been spotted for a while after all. Her shoulder aches slightly from it all and she settles down to her haunches, ears perked forward as she glances over the ones here to make sure there alright before letting her gaze turn back towards what was once there home.
Storm, female wolf, Lazuli alpha
Haze, male wolf
Larkspur, female wolf (spoofed by Haze)
Shikoba, female wolf
Brushtail, female wolf
Bodhi, male wolf
(IC assumption that others of the Lazuli pack were present as well)
(briefly)
Titan, juve. male dog
Yuma, male cougar
Adoun, male cat
=== Dense Undergrowth ===
As afternoon slowly turns into evening Storm is settled before the den, she had been gone most of the day, travling around the pack lands on her own as this is what she wished. There are many things she had to go, in her mind to get her ready for what she was about to do. The aging alpha is now waiting for a few others to join the group before they get ready to leave. Her ears twitch forward while her gaze drifts towards where she knows the mountains lay. Many strange sounds have gotten her attention, along with the chittering of other small animals in the valley about what might be going on up there. The alpha only hopes the pack can get moving before anything major happens.
Larkspur's pregnancy is no longer a secret to the pack -- at least, when she emerges from the den. The first-time mother has been particularly affected by her condition, no doubt complicated by the death of her father, and Haze has been sure to take care of her as best as he can. He emerges from the underground den now, maw bloody from sharing a small hare with his mate, and his alert eyes are quick to notice Storm's return - and, even in the short time he's been here with Larkspur, he's already come to recognize her as -his- alpha, not just -the- alpha. As such, he too has heard of the pack's intentions to head south, away from where the cougars were last known to be, and he's prepared to do all he can to help guide them back towards his most recent home. "Storm? I think Larkspur's feeling well enough to get moving now, if you're ready to call the pack together." He wants them moved before their pups are born, and he knows the perfect place to keep them -- and the rest of the pack -- safe and sheltered.
Storm ears twitch backwards and she looks towards the movement of her daughter and her mate. A slight smile is offered to the pair while she slowly pushes herself up so she's sitting. "I'm glad to hear that." She leans closer to her daughter and nuzzles at her cheek. Even though she and Lark had not spoken much since Felstride's death, Storm had a feeling her daughter might be expecting pups, and well seems she was right. Her gaze drifts over who all is already here, sleeping and what not. Stretching she lifts her head and lets out a howl to get the rest of the pack back to the densite. Everyone know they would be moving soon and today is the day. "Hopefully the others won't take long to get back."
At the Dense Undergrowth, Storm howls.
Larkspur's a little wobbly on her feet, both from the added weight between her legs and the faint feeling she occasionally gets from her pregnancy, but she still has the strength to return her mother's nuzzle with a tired smile. Haze shares an encouraging glance with his mate, then turns back to Storm, ears pricking at the howl, listening for return calls or the approaches of others. "If you want, I can help direct us the quickest way to the south -- that's where Lark and I were living before we came to visit. There's a big cavern I found down there that'd be perfect for us to take shelter in, too," he offers with a slight wag of his tail, eager to help his mate's family as much as he can.
There's much rustling in the underbrush, not long after Storm beacons. It grows nearer and closer, until a young adult wolf bursts into view. She must have been running prior, because she's just a little out of breath and heaving faintly when she comes to a stop. Is this it? They're leaving tonight? Shikoba's eyes settle on Storm, then at the other wolves that are already here. She knew it would be soon, though, so this should come as no surprise.
Brushtail is sitting down nearby. She still hasn't gotten over her father's death, and still has her more serious personality on. This could be good news for the pack, as she might otherwise slow them down with her antics. She continues to sit silently until the time comes for them to leave for the trip.
Bodhi skids to a halt aswell as he reaches the densite from the direction of the mountains seemingly being quite out of breath having been running for a fair while already, yet pushing himself a bit harder once he heard Storm's howl. His gaze surveying the densite and everybody in it with a furrowed brow trying to figure out what is going on, his coat carrying scents more familiar to the mountains.
Storm nods as she hears Haze. "Alright, this sounds like a good idea." She offers with a few sways of her tail as she takes in a faint breath. Her gaze turns towards the new movement and she offers a slight smile to both Shikoba and Brushtail, at least they have showed up. "Helios and Cyrus might just have to follow after us.." The alpha looks towards Bodhi watching him curiously. "Hello Bodhi.."
"I'm sure they'll be able to find us now that they know where we're headed," Haze answers Storm with a nod before he glances over at the out-of-breath Bodhi, recognizing him as one of the first Lazuli wolves he met when he and Larkspur made their way back to her homelands. His head tilts slightly to the side, paused mid-step as he glances from the male back to the alpha female, wondering if this is something that needs to be addressed now or can be discussed along the way.
Shikoba sits down for a moment, ears perk as she takes note of Bodhi's arrival. She sniffs in his direction, brows quirking. "Where have you been?" She's never been to the mountains, so the scent is entirely alien to her. Then she glances at Storm, a little unsure. "Are we really going to leave now?"
Brushtail looks at Storm, "And are we really going to be safer where we are going? The cougars have scared me since..." She really doesn't like bringing up her father, especially in front of her mother.
Bodhi staying silent for a short while to regain his breath slightly he dips his head respectfully to Storm before turning his attention to Shikoba "I went to make sure a friend of mine was still safe after i heard that she had been forbidden to seek refuge with us" his gaze then turning to Storm "May i ask where we are heading, i do not think the mountains will be safe considering what i saw while there, nor do i think this area will be safe for much longer."
Storm eyes Bodhi faintly a few moments before shaking her head and starts to move off. "We can go now Haze.." Seems she's not happy with Bodhi, but this wouldn't be a first time. She will speak to them when they get too there new home. "Yes.. We have to leave now Shikoba. I know it might seem strange, but everything will be alright." The alpha doesn't want to leave, but after everything she can't take a chance anymore. She looks to her younger daughter and offers a soft smile. "I hope we will.. But I can not promise anything." Her ears perk forward as she hears Bodhi. "We're heading southwards.. You can tell us about what you say as we travel.." The alpha pauses and frowns as she hears Bodhi. "You saw that /wolf/?" She questions while eyeing Bodhi thinly a moment. "The one with the -dogs-?" A snort escapes her before she turns her back to Bodhi. "Everyone, it is time to go.. Now.." She doesn't want to hear anything dealing with Skelaghe, perhaps the alpha blames the other for what has happened seeing how the cougars were after the three.
Haze speaks up at Brushtail's question, and then Bodhi's remark, offering as reassuring as a smile as he can to the other wolves. "There weren't many cougars where we're headed, at least when Larkspur and I were still there." Except for Maulisho and her small entourage, of course -- but even they aren't there anymore, unbeknownst to the pair. "And if you say the mountains aren't safe, then that definitely confirms my thoughts of heading towards the desert instead." For a passing moment, he remembers his former pack and family, living in the valley, and wonders if they are seeking safety as well -- but then his mind returns to the present, and he nods at Storm, starting to lead the gathered pack south along the river.
=== Fallen Log ===
Shikoba has more she wishes to ask, but senses that the alpha probably has better things to worry about than her silly little inquiries. Keeping her mouth shut, she follows, although casts a few sidelong glances at Bodhi. Her expression isn't negative, though, it's one of sheer inquisitiveness. If her walkabout hadn't been put on hold, the mountains would have been the first place she would have gone to.
Brushtail silently follows, unsure of the destination. She senses some possible anger in Storm, and decides it is best not to talk to her, or do anything to make her angry.
Bodhi follows not to far behind Storm "While i was by the mountain i saw chunks of ice split and fall from the mountain tops, that usuall means from what i've seen before joining the Lazuli that a lot of ice will be melting" his gaze turning toward the mountains " in short we can expect unusual high levels of water in the near future" a deep sigh escaping his lips "and yes i did travel to ensure Skelaghe's safety since i consider her one of my best friends and somebody i would trust with my life" his gaze shifting to Storm again "And we will never agree in regards to dogs since i consider a few of them to be very close friends aswell, tho i will agree that some of them are nothing but trouble"
Storm says nothing as she follows Haze and Larkspur, a ear flicking as she listions to Bodhi. Her eyes narrow slightly as Bodhi talks on an on about why he went, and how he feels about dogs. "You should thank your so called friend for bring the cougars right to are lands then.. The cougars was after her and the /dogs/." A simple snort escapes her. She did hear the part about the breaking and melting ice. Seems like they are leaving just in time if this is true.
=== Two-River Fork ===
Titan gazes at the cougar gently nodding to him. "Yes, some animals can and do live with humans, there tends to be mutual benefits in it for the animal and human when such aragments are had, like I kept m humans happy and they fed me and played with me." He says looking down at the rabbit. "Though living with humans will make you soft... it took me forever.. to learn how to hunt." Forever for him was of course two or three days.
Haze leads the pack onward, one ear turned back to absentmindedly listen to the conversation between Bodhi and Storm as he treads south through the forest, not far from the river bordering the packlands to the east. As they reach the fork between where the rivers meet, Haze's paws step into much soggier marsh than he expected to this far back from the banks, watery soil squishing around his toes. He glances over between the two rivers, frowning briefly, though he hasn't lived in the forest enough to recognize that they're much fuller than usual, the spillover explaining the wet ground between them. But then Bodhi's words from earlier ring in his mind, and he glances back at the rest of the pack. "Looks like it's already starting to happen, even down here." He glances between the two rivers, and fights to suppress the flashbacks triggered by the sight, turning to offer his mate a consoling lick, realizing that she, too, is likely remembering the same event. "Let's go ahead and cross while we can. Maybe if we're lucky the cougars will be trapped behind us." He glances up at the sound of other voices in the area, pausing briefly to scan their surroundings.
Being a native of the wilderness, Yuma has never seen the human structures mentioned by Adoun - he has no real concept of the way men live, or how drastically different it is from the lives of wild animals. He sits quietly while he takes in the cat and dog's explanations. He considers this another example of just how vast the world really is, and how much he has yet to learn about it. Situated near the base of the waterfall, the crashing water drowns out the sound of the wolves' approach, and he fails to notice them... for now, too intent on the conversation to pay attention to his surroundings. "So they... take care of you? And what do you do for them?"
Again, Adoun is silent, simply continuing to groom himself. If he is interested in Titan's answer, he gives no indication of it. Like Yuma, the small feline does not notice anyone approaching their position.
Shikoba pays close attention to the things being said, about the ice in the mountain, and how it's going to deepen the waters. Her heart thumps, almost audibly, as she thinks about it. With effort, she tries not to be bothered that much, although it's hard. Her nerves, though, take a turn for the worse when Haze suggests that they actually go across the river. Her eyes flash with panic for a second, and she freezes in place, her eyes glued to the flowing waters lying in their path. She doesn't even notice, at first, that there are others here before them.
Titan smiles gently him too not noticing the wolves as he then trys to gather a explamation. "Well, I didn't really work, i was jsut me I acted happy bounced around and get pettings I made them happy and therefor I got rewarded by getting fed and being kept nice and warm" He says thinking of those fond days back when he got petting and ear scritches and sooo much attention, but he realizes lookign about him at the cat and cougar. Those days are gone.
Brushtail suddenly looks nervous, "C...cross? Are you sure it is safe? It is deeper than it normally is." She is not normally afraid of crossing the river, but the ice has made it deeper.
Bodhi furrows his brows slightly as he looks at the river toughtfully "Its not all that much deeper then it normally is yet, so it would likely be wise of us to cross before the water grows even higher" his head tilting to look at those seeming worried "would it help if i swim alongside you while you cross since i do not mind crossing back and forth a few times" his gaze turning to Storm for a moment as he offers a soft "we can talk about skel once we have arrived at our location, for now we should focus on getting there since that has a higher priority for both of us i think"
Storm nods as she hears Haze and glances after the two as they cross before she looks back to Shikoba and Brushtail. She moves back to them and noses both. "Come now.. it'll be alright, but we must pass through it. You can walk next to me an I'll make sure your both alright." She didn't have a problem with water, though she knows some of the others might. Her ears perk as she hears other voices but her attention is on the two wolves she is next too. A glare is offered to Bodhi as his comment to her. "You disappoint me Bodhi.. An this is all I have to say on the matter." She looks to the girls. "Lets get going girls." The alpha an Bodhi will talk more later on the subject, but right now yes there are other things that need to be done.
As the alpha seems to judge the other voices unimportant for the time being, Haze is quick to follow her lead - they didn't seem to notice their own approach, anyway, and he still can't spot the speakers anyway, the other trio conveniently hidden from view behind a full patch of tall cat-tails. Careful to stay right up against Larkspur's side, he carefully guides her towards the water with a deep breath to steady himself. Leading her into the slow-flowing river, the pair dog-paddle to the other side, heads kept well above water; no longer are they able to wade on their paws as they were on their first trip across.
Curious as he is, Yuma finds himself glancing away from the two smaller animals, gazing up at the waterfall with a faint frown. It took him a moment to notice, but it sounds as though the sound of rushing water has grown somewhat louder than it was before. The cougar fails to connect this with the periodic rumblings he has heard throughout the day, strange, distant thunder that sounded like it was coming from higher up in the mountains. Yuma's tail twitches, and his gaze shifts downward again - and that is when he spots several shapes crossing the river. He can barely hear their voices, but he knows what they are: wolves. That howl must have sounded much closer than he thought. The burly cougar has no particular fear of wolves, but a whole pack of them is somewhat intimidating. Hopefully, they are just passing through.
Shikoba opens her mouth to respond, but the words are hard to force out. It feels like her whole throat has gone dry. "I... but I can't swim." She looks back and forth along the river, her legs trembling slightly. Truth is, she's never actually tried. "What if I can't get out?" Storm and Bodhi's words do little to comfort her. She /wants/ to be brave enough, but for some reason, her paws just won't move a step closer.
Titan looks over at Yuma. There conversation has hit a dead end and it isn't until Yuma seems to be staring at something that he looks down river and sees the forms. He comes to the same thought as yuma, but where the heck they going?" he wondered. Yet He didn't make a peep. He foudn friendly wolves but packs he noticed, were decidedly less friendlier to him.
Brushtail can swim, and decides to cross on her own. If the other wolves did it, then it must be safe for her, right. She manages to swim across without much trouble, but cannot shake the feeling that there are others here besides the pack...
Bodhi pads over alongside Shikoba and offers her a friendly nuzzle "you can get out, i'm sure of it and belive you can do it" a soft smile on his lips "and i will be right by your side"
Storm looks towards Brushtail as she makes it across before looking back to Shikoba. "Its alright.. I'll be at one side and Bodhi will be at the other. Just do what we do alright?" The alpha questions as she starts to moving into the water.
=== Trickling River ===
Haze and Larkspur quickly clamber out on the other side, the mated pair shaking out their soaked fur in unison, leaving them both rather fluffy-looking afterwards. Brushtail is quick to join them, but Haze glances back across the river to see that Shikoba is still reticent to even get closer to the river. "Trust me, I know it's scary," he calls out in an attempt to reassure her. "But the current isn't so bad right now...and like Bodhi said, it'd be better to just get it done now than wait for it to get higher, as it seems to be."
A soft whine emerges from the back of Shikoba's throat. "Okay... okay, I'll do it." She finally acquiesces, taking a step toward the river beside both Storm and Bodhi. The breath catches in her throat as her paws sink into the water, and involuntarily she shivers. Nevertheless, she continues on. She doesn't want to be left behind, more than she's terrified of the water.
Brushtail watches Shikoba cross the water, but she is more worried about Bodhi and Storm. She also knows her place and will try to keep out of the argument when it eventually comes. She also notices Shikoba shivering, and gets worried. "Are you alright?" she calls out, hoping she makes it across.
Bodhi smiles softly as he steps into the water alongside Shikoba and having recalled her earlier look murrs softly as he remains close to her side "Think of all the interesting things we will see once we have crossed the river and gotten to our destination"
Storm makes her way further into the water, still next to Shikoba's side as she paddles through the water to reach the other side. "We're nearly at the other side, your doing fine Shikoba."
Shikoba cringes as her belly submerges into the current, and the water splashes against her side. She can't really watch what Storm and Bodhi are doing, unable to see their paws beneath the water. So she does her best to push herself along, legs flailing in a motion vaguely like that of running, minus the part where she's actually touching solid ground. It feels like forever, but at last she finds footing on the opposite bank, and Shikoba scrambles over to drier ground, gasping in relief and shock.
Brushtail smiles at the sight of Shikoba apparently safe and sound on their side of the river. "See? It isn't so bad once you finish doing it."
Bodhi murrs softly as he nuzzles Shikoba gently after getting ashore "You did great" His gaze then turning to the others for a moment "move ahead without me, i will catch up to you again but i am going to go down the stream a little bit and warn that group to get away from the river incase they haven't figuring out the looming danger"
=== Grassy Plains ===
Haze's tail wags a little as Shikoba successfully makes it across, happy to avoid yet another situation like the ones he's already been in twice, once with Larkspur and once his now-dead brother. He nods at Bodhi, glancing back at Storm afterwards as they continue to pad forward as a pack. Once their paws are back on completely dry land again, the brindle-furred male pauses, turning to face the alpha female as Larkspur settles down to rest on her belly, panting. "Should we rest here for a little while, now that we've crossed? We've still got another bit of a ways to go before we reach the cave I mentioned, and it'd give the others time to catch up," he suggests, tail held low to show that Storm's word still goes.
Shikoba thanks both Storm and Bodhi with a nuzzle to either, then steps away so she can shake off her pelt. She's actually rather surprised with herself for making it. "You're right." She says to Brushtail, with a faint wag of her tail. She glances at Haze when he suggests resting, and is indeed very tempted. "Will it be safe here?" She wonders, sniffing the air and looking about the land she's never seen before.
Storm offers a smile to Shikoba before her gaze turns back the way she came pondering about the others. She gives herself a shake before she pads towards where Haze and Larkspur is. A nod is offered to Haze. "We can rest here a bit. I think for the moment we're be fine Shikoba.." The cougars haven't been spotted for a while after all. Her shoulder aches slightly from it all and she settles down to her haunches, ears perked forward as she glances over the ones here to make sure there alright before letting her gaze turn back towards what was once there home.