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+---- Thread: Shroud of the Lost What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do (/showthread.php?tid=21218)
What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Loach - Jan 12, 2023
Subterritory Name: Fisher's Split
Lat/Lng: -26.74561, -10.72266
Picture: https://unsplash.com/photos/FoxjfVmZZZQ
Description: Where the river begins to split in the southern Shroud, fog and mist is not an uncommon sight. Often times collecting over the water and giving a silhouetted view of the nearby sights. Such as the looming Daybreak Peaks further south. Without the fog, it's often times a drab place. Although it can be a lively intersection when the prey seasons are right. Offering ample fishing that predators may compete for along the occasionally exposed islets in the river.
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At some point @Llinnea, as he had come to learn, had caught up with him. Together they had made their way westward, where the land seemed bountiful but empty. Which had he been a more concerned man, might have worried him. As it stood now, it meant they could continue their hunting and roaming in peace.
Now the land seemed to reward the sea dweller in the form of a wide river split. Here he could actually teach her best. So he loosened out a barking sound for her to come catch up from wherever she was.
The time had come for her to do the dirty work and feed herself.
RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Llinnea - Jan 12, 2023
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Llinnea was unaccustomed to travelling so far in so short a time. Her paws hurt and she was cold and hungry and tired. She didn't complain, though; she'd brought herself out here to get strong, to scream in the face of the world. Besides, she got the impression that if she did complain, Loach might leave her behind and she didn't want that. Not right now. She liked not being alone. It made the hole where @Asmund was supposed to be so much more bearable.
Finally the man stopped and let out a bark to call her. Llinnea perked up and quickened her pace to catch up, wondering if they were finally taking a break, or if he'd found food. She would be happy with either, and maybe she'd be lucky enough that it would be both. A nap after a meal would be welcome right now.
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RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Loach - Jan 12, 2023
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By the time she arrived, he had already waded softly into the freezing river. Allowed the cold water to numb the worst of his paws aches. Seemed the smartest thing to do, even if he wondered if they should set up camp here. Temporarily. He doubted they could stay here forever. If the banks might flood over come spring melt, or if other predators might rouse for fishing too.
You ever seen a river before, cubbin'? Not asked to patronize, for once. He had no clue just how much the little thing had learned or where she had been before their paths crossed. Hell, maybe she had been abandoned in that forest from a young age.
All this water is probably connected up the mountains. He jutted his chin off towards the distant cloud shrouded figures. Stone walls to be avoided when the world was still this cold. Which means the best kinds of things are gonna be comin' through this stream.
He swung his muzzle, inviting her into the shallow ripples of the river with him.
RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Llinnea - Jan 12, 2023
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To Llinnea's surprise, Loach was wading into the cold water. She stared at him. Had he lost his mind? It was cold! He asked her a question, and she shrugged. "A little," she said. The river through the Backwater territory had been dry most of her life, only regaining a trickle of water when winter set it - and by then it had started to gently ice over. She'd never seen a river like this before. She followed Roach's gaze to the distant... what had he called them? Mountains? They were so far away. How could this water be from there?
"What kinds of things?" she asked, carefully enunciating each word as she always did when speaking this strange tongue. She was slowly learning more now that she was with Loach, but still she rarely spoke unless spoken to first.
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RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Loach - Jan 12, 2023
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C'mon, cubbin', water's good for you.
Maybe she had been in those dried up woods for some time, afraid of a little (it was not little) river. He may regret the cold water later, but for now it was as close to heaven as Loach would ever come.
Fish! He beamed with a look that was genuinely happy. A rare thing that was as gone as quick as it had come. They're good and fatty. Which means we can eat less and be good for longer. As long as we're not running like bats out of hell. He snorted, mildly amused.
We could maybe stay here for a while. Fish up the river if it proves as good as it looks. He tossed her a thoughtful look. You like that, cubbin'? Or you got plans you not telling me?
RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Llinnea - Jan 12, 2023
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Llinnea's face scrunched up as he beckoned for her to join him in the water. She was already cold and wet from the snow, but at least her fur mostly protected her. Still, she saw no reason to upset him and hesitantly stepped into the water. The cold was immediate, cutting through her fur and numbing her toes. She wasn't sure if it was a good numb or not. A small squeak of displeasure managed to escape, but she forced herself to wade deeper into the running water. It tugged at her, so she dug her aching-numb toes into the rocky bed and looked up at Loach.
The mention of fish perked her up. She knew what fish were, though she'd never had one. Archer liked fish. Eros did not. The Backwater wolves had missed them when their water was dried up.
His question about plans was likely meant to be lighthearted, but a stab of worry went through her. She had no specific plans per se, but it did make her glance behind her as though she might see him looming through the trees, leering at her and lurching toward them with bloodied teeth. She shook her head. She wanted to stay, for a while at least. She was tired of walking.
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RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Loach - Jan 12, 2023
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She did not speak. So he snorted, a punctuation to their conversation. He had no interest, again, in opening any doors with her. He was just as content to let things lie between them. It would make it easier when she eventually got bored of his grumpiness one day.
Ouch.
Alright. He mumbled. We'll stay here. Call it...I dunno. Shoulders shrugged. Fisher's Split? That way if you ever need to tell somebody for some godforsaken reason, you got a name to use. His tail flicked, somehow bittered by the thought of their little duo expanding.
He figured she'd probably stay silent still, so he forged on in conversation.
But if we're gonna call it that, we gotta get to fishing. Watch out for the shiny ripples of scales beneath the water.
RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Llinnea - Jan 12, 2023
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Fisher's Split. A name. A sense of home, something she hadn't expected ever to have again - especially not so soon. But she hadn't had any set plans, any ideas on how she might achieve her goals of growing stronger. So this was okay. And it meant they were staying. She didn't think she'd need to tell anyone where she was anyway. She didn't want to. She didn't want him to be able to find her. She knew he was out there, searching for her.
No, she was content to keep it to just her and Loach.
She nodded as he spoke, turning her eyes to the water. "When I see?" she asked. She hoped there were fish soon; she was starting to lose all feeling in her feet.
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RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Loach - Jan 12, 2023
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He wondered if she'd lose interest when he dropped the news that killing would be up to her now. He had no desire to continue to do the work of two wolves.
When you see, you dive hard and fast. Bite it real good. If that isn't enough to kill it, you drag it back onto dry land. Away from the water. He instructed in a firm tone. Now would be the part where it came up to her to put it into motion. The good news was that they would likely be in this area long enough for her to learn.
He inhaled sharply, orange eyes raised for a moment to peer around them. As if another beast may be here to hunt. He supposed that was a risk they might run. Just the two of them on the river. What was to stop a cougar or bear?
He grumbled softly, returned his focus to the cold stream.
RE: What'cha gotta do, what'cha gotta do - Llinnea - Jan 12, 2023
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She did not like the idea of diving into the water. She did not like that at all. But she was also hungry, and Loach was taking the time to teach her. She remembered the thrill of chasing the hare and how badly she'd wanted to catch it - how much she wished she'd been the one to sink her teeth into it first. Besides, she would have to do this for herself some day when Loach decided he was done dragging her around.
The girl dutifully turned her eyes back to the water, searching for the glittering of scales beneath the already reflective water. She squinted against the light, searching for motion, holding as still as she could so she could in her focus.
Finally, something flickered past her. She wanted to move, but it was gone so fast she didn't dare. And then there was another one. On the third she shot forward, tiny frame, piercing the water. The cold slammed into her like she'd jumped head first into a rock, but she was rewarded by the satisfying crunch of something in her jaws. She jerked back, hauling the massive fish with her as she scrambled back to shore. Her paws slipped on the riverbed, but she managed to catch herself and make it onto dry land, dragging the fish with her until she was satisfied it wouldn't be able to get back into the river.
Her heart pounded in excitement as she looked at her prize; so much food! She turned to Loach, tail wagging and eyes shining, mouth falling open into a proud grin. Jeg gjorde det! (I did it!)
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