The grass was golden-brown, crunching under his paws with every step. Above his head, the treetops rustled in the breeze, even the coniferous trees looked dry, their needles brown at the tips and dropping at the slightest touch. A few days of rain had barely soaked the topsoil, doing little to properly heal the land – especially when more dry weeks followed.

Despite its name, Dead Empress Backwater too was dry as a dessert, hardly any trace left of the shored that had driven the young Valle’s to settle there. The packs members were once again forced to trek along the creek-bed, all the way to the mountainside, to simply still their thirst. At this point they might as well move there permanently.

Thus were the thoughts of Vasco Halex as he made the journey this afternoon, his joints aching from the walk. Despite having regained his full strength and weight after his ordeal a year ago, the pale man found that the drought was starting to affect him more than his younger pack mates, harkening back to those horrible days of wandering alone; But this time, at least I have my family…

He sighed, clearing the last trees to look upon the falls – more of a trickle now, but still a welcome sight. Much as everyone else, he longed for the drought to be over and no longer need to make these trips, but for now he would attempt to enjoy the experience, tail swaying softly as he walked to the water’s edge, lowering his head.

Thoughts ”Speech”

The sweet relief of water filled his throat, drowning the fire that was thirst and bringing fresh energy with every drop. Those who’d never gone thirsty might dismiss the power of hydration, but not Vasco, even before the draught he’d known the draining power of thirst.

Lifting his head, he was surprised to spot movement amongst the trees, having been too consumed by the water to notice any noise.  There was something tentative in the shadow’s movements, uncertain, making the pale wolf stay still, waiting for the stranger to reveal himself. And when he did, Vasco’s brows lifted, eyes narrowing as he watched his son approach the water silently. There was no way he couldn’t have seen his father there already, and yet he made no move to greet or address him; What’s up…?

Frowning, Vasco let his son drink his fill before speaking, his voice soft; “I’m sure we’ll get rain soon.” Even if he wasn’t sure what exactly was on Viorel’s mind at that moment, it was a safe bet that the draught had a part in his worries. And while there was no real reason for optimism, his father thought it the best option, at least for an icebreaker.

Thoughts ”Speech”