Droplets of water rained down upon his thick brown pelt; a light cascade from the dropping waters of Bramble Falls. The rumble was loud but not bothersome to the male, and as grey clouds toiled in the sky above, Ruiko sought solace from the peace of the River and his siblings. As much as he was devoted to them, the large second needed seclusion from time to time, and that was the very reason his creamy paws had lead him here.


So he reclined to a graceful sit – his pelt bladed in places where moisture had gathered, and his gleaming yellow eyes were cast in to the drifting waters. Every so often a glimmer of silver would appear to the surface, revealing that there was at least one opportunity for a meal swimming innocently about before him. He made no move to strike however, and as late morning drifted to late afternoon the grey clouds above finally broke open, sprinkling him and the ground with promised misery.

ooc. I don't think you realize how excited I am that you hopped in to this. <3


Ruiko, his eyes intent upon the small flashes of silver that taunted him from the waters depths, was attempting to push the thought from his mind that this water could potentially evaporate to nothing but a distant memory. The rushing sound of the Falls had always been soothing to him – Indru and he and explored these lands inside and out as whelps, with the rebellious intentions that his youngest sister Borlla now seemed to hold. Many a day Rihael would find them playing near the dangerous waters, and each time they would receive a well-deserved swat to their hind.


One creamy paw lifted, his gleaming amber eyes still intent upon the shifting waters. A hunter’s precision held him there with utmost patience, poised and ready for the opportune moment. Fishing was a task he was not as knowledgeable with, but it did not mean Ruiko did not take opportunity when it knocked upon his door. The stillness of his large figure could compete with a statue, and as the seconds ticked past, it was only then did a flash of ivory cream streak down as the Tainn wolf plunged his paw forward, an agile flick of his limb shooting the prize of a fish that landed upon the solid ground. His jaws were quick and mighty as he leant down to snap at the meal, quickly ending its surprised suffering. With the wind trailing from him, he remained completely oblivious to his companion in the shadows, and instead stole his gaze upon his well-earned prize.

The large male pulled his muzzle back up, his eyes still fixated upon the still fish that was torn from its environment only seconds ago, it’s life silenced by the fury and precision of his jaws. It was a fulfilling moment – no matter how tiny the kill or insignificant, Ruiko still felt the dominance swell in his chest. Just like any of his captured prey, the creature would fill his or one of his siblings belly, and the tawny giant briefly wondered if the youngest litter had even tasted fish before. Well, he was determined to find out now.


Just as he bent his muzzle to scoop the prize in his jowls and head home, a stirring in the bushes captured his attention. Silence enveloped the area – but there was no mistaking that another creature lurked, and a frown began to darkened his stoical features no sooner than the dark wolf slid from his hiding hole. The male seemed neutral enough, his stance implying he meant no harm to either Ruiko or his capture, and after a silent pause, the River wolf lifted his muzzle back up to a level height. “I see I have an audience,” he murmured, his tone unreadable and his features indescribable.

The wolf before him was a submissive creature – whether because he simply wanted to keep from trouble, or if it was his nature, Ruiko could not tell. The dark stranger imposed no threat to him yet, and the River wolf’s muscles relaxed visibly, though he did not fully relinquish his guard. The lone wolf’s story certainly seemed reasonable – water was becoming a depleted source suddenly in Relic Lore, and the Falls was one of the only sources.. and even it was far from the grand state it had been in just a month ago.


It would seem his newfound companion was a stranger to the land – one of many, and the large tawny wolf gave a shrug of his golden shoulders. “Ruiko,” he introduced in turn as his bright eyes studied the male before him. “A bit of advice then, Quest, seeing as your new. Stick close to the big water sources if you intend to stay. The water is starting to disappear in Relic Lore.”

The dark wolf seemed disbelieving to this news – the lack of confidence he inspired in the other did very little to sway his mood, for it mattered very little to him what this stranger took from his warning. What did irk him was the light fact that Quest ushered out. The beginning of autumn usually held little water, and Ruiko gave a derisive snort before shrugging. “It’s hard to say how serious it is just yet, but yes, the water is disappearing this year. It’s never been this way before.”


It was a simple friendly gesture to give the male a heads up, aside from that, whether the dark male took heed to his warning or not did not affect Ruiko any farther, and it was with this that the golden male fell silent, one paw still held protectively before the fish while his bright eyes studied the rogue.