Willow Ridge This old maid

Open to anyone willing to come keep an old bat company

She was old. As much as her inner child wished to deny this simple fact of life, the recent drop in weather served as a constant reminder just how 'up there' Enoki had gotten. It was steadily growing harder to rise and greet the chilly moments of dawn's first light, her internal clock refusing to allow the magpie to sleep in past the sun itself. Alas, the stiffening of her joints in the wake of such cold temperatures, though, made it hard for her to actually leave the confines of her den to enjoy the first warm rays of the sun upon her heavily silvered pelt. Once memorizing series of patches that contrasted each other so starkly now seemed faded to a gradient monochrome tone, her scarred muzzle holding the most prominent signs of her advanced age.


Smoldering amber irises seemed equally weary today as the Consul finally managed to emerge from the communal den after one could only assume to be quite the struggle. Her body unceremoniously leaned against the cold rocky surface of the den's outer walls like a crutch to gradually guide her frame down toward the ground and its light dusting of snow that must have fell overnight, where she most likely wouldn't move from for awhile. Which was fine. Walking too far was too exhausting and this allowed her to keep a closer eye on the recovery process of Sven should he need anything.

Getting old sucked. 

Sven had tired quickly of the invalid role that had suddenly found him, but as much as he'd wanted to push his recovery, this was something that will power couldn't see him through. It was a first in his life, and it had him profoundly shaken. If this was noticeable to the others, it would not be a in way expected. There were no doleful glances and morose lapses of silence. Sven was more aggressive, less trusting, assertive in ways he hadn't previously felt the need to be.

This change, however, was nothing like an overhaul of his personality; it was relatively rare that this general mistrust would rear its head, and otherwise, he was the same Sven they all had known. In regards to Enoki, especially, little to nothing had changed. Even as she had taken part in caring for him, he never ceased to look out for her. In fact, they had more time together than ever, as her old bones kept her close to the same den his damaged eyesight also tethered him to.

Before, he would have needed to follow the wall of the organic structure as well, but within the last week his left eye had regained its strength and capabilities. His vision of the world was still fuzzy, and it was difficult to adjust to the lack of depth, but he was managing. Following after the consul's graying form, he made his way into the sun with relative ease considering his state before.

"Nice out, isn't it?" he commented after he'd at last found his way to her side. While they were clearly heading into winter, the clouds were at least gone and the wind wasn't too sharp. His shoulder and side connected with hers, sharing body heat.

There was no need for the Consul to turn about at the sound of shuffling paws behind her to know who had decided to join her in basking in the warm rays of sunlight. Each of them had their own reason for being tethered to the same den, but in it they both earned quality bonding time that only brought the duo closer and in all honesty who know how much time any of them had left with the magpie. Winter was fast approaching and all of them knew how harsh it was on the Ridge. Each year it seemed to take something or someone from them and Enoki would be a liar if she didn't admit she feared this year would be her last.


"When the wind isn't blowing perhaps." the elderly woman spoke softly as the man pressed his bulkier frame alongside her smaller one to share what body heat they had to offer, adjusting her head to shift away from her outstretched paws and rest it upon the crest of his shoulders where she made a soft growl purely affectionate in tone. With the sudden plummet in temperature lately there was insufficient time for their summer coats to properly thicken for protection against such extremes and with her advanced age, it seemed her coat was further behind than usual. The wind chill felt extra chilly no matter what and the light dusting of snow would work its own wonders too. So any chance to steal some warmth she took. Be it by sun or Sven or both. One benefit to their joint imprisonment.

"How are you feeling today?" Like any doting mother worried about their child her words were spoken tenderly while her head tilted enough to allow her salmon tongue to clean the back of his ears, removing what filth may have collected in the area overnight.