Windsong Fjord flows like a river

For Luca!
Backdated for 2/20/23   late morning, partially cloudy following heavy snows
Potential territory discovery thread for Devil's Staircase?

The land here rolled in a series of foothills, drainage and rises toward mount dire on one side behind them and the lake far off somewhere in the distance in the other. What lay ahead of them, she did not know. The snows were thick in the foothills, so deep as to be disorienting, but her explorations had not been without some luck. Descending into the next vale, she could hear the faint song of free flowing water.

Isomne swept her tail in the snows as she wove through the laden underbrush. The area was thickly vegetated with no trail to speak of, and she snapped at the twigs with her jaws as she went to mark her way back later in case another snowfall erased the signs of her passage. A drink would certainly be welcome respite after the rather hard hike she had been making, even more so if it did not involve breaking through ice in the middle of a lake at the tail end of winter, though it had gone well enough before she wasn't sure she wished to risk it again anytime soon.

As she emerged through the snowed-over ferns and underbrush, the sight that revealed itself was surreal. Veils of water shrouded in fragile formations of ice here and there like jewels flowed from one tier of the waterfall to the next in gentle succession. A fine silvery mist rose and caught the rays of light, turning gold as it dissipated into the winter air. She stopped and held her breath for a moment, listening to their gentle music and soaking the place in. Scanning around for other signs of life, just to be sure. Then she made her way to the water's edge and bent to drink.

The familiar scent made its way to the sleepy male, stirring him furthermore from his slumber. His eyelashes fluttered, front paws stretching out as his jaws parted into a whiny yawn. His tongue curled and then with an audible click his mouth shut. He grumbled to himself, moving his body back into a tight ball. Luca was comfortable in the small den he'd found for the night; however, the scent piqued  his curiosity. At last, the male begrudgingly rose to slip out the entrance. He shook his grey pelt free of any dirt from the earthy haven he'd been stowed away in before casually strolling off.

He was in no hurry, lazily making his way across snow covered ground. His tail swayed back and forth, becoming more eager as his tired brain began to recognize the scent. It was the storyteller, Isomne. A pleasing woman with bright sunflower-colored eyes. Although they'd only met once he found himself fond of her. He picked up the pace a little, happy to be crossing paths once more with a friendly face. The small wolf pushed through the brush, brown eyes squinting as twigs scraped across his face.

He broke through the foliage to see the waterfalls and froze dead still in awe. Luca took it all in with his maw slightly agape, his head slowly turning until...there she was. His head cocked to the side. Painted amongst the scenery, she was drinking water, her pale fur illuminated by the light that reflected off the rising mist. His heart thudded. In this place, Isomne...looked...mesmerizing. He hadn't had a thought like this before about someone. Luca awkwardly tried to shove the foreign feeling down. Sure, her eyes had caught him in their prior meeting, but this, was new.

He woofed out to her, wagging his tail and approaching in neutral posture. He came close but remained a respectful distance, "We meet again." He spoke with a cheeky smile.

He speaks He thinks He walks

A sound caught her attention, and her head snapped up, gaze scanning the area again. She had not wished to be caught unawares down in this draw. But in the next moment she recognized the voice and features of not just another wolf, but Luca.

She relaxed, her tail sweeping gently behind her as she smiled in his direction,and breathed a sigh of relief. On their previous meeting she had found his company enjoyable.

"So we do," she mused. Isomne was not sure if he seemed a bit different from before, but she did not think to be cautious toward the amiable man she'd shared tales with before. If anything she was pleased to see the other traveler once more. It was often rare for wanderers like themselves to encounter a friendly face twice, and she was glad to know he had not fared badly since their last meeting. Gesturing toward the stream with a tilt of her head, she went on "no need to break through the ice this time."

The woman jolted, the man's face quickly becoming apologetic. He hadn't intended to startle her, "Apologies for catching you off guard." He dipped his head in a respectful gesture. His smile was soft and genuine.

The corner of his lips tugged back into a wider grin, the male chuckling softly at her response. What she said next had him laughing. "Ah, suppose there's no fun in that though?" He looked at her with a playful expression dancing on his face. They'd tempted fate and were here to tell the tale. Not that Luca had found their short trek to be all that daring or dangerous. He'd traveled frozen water many a time in his young life.

Stepping away he bent down to take a drink, water dribbling off his chin when he pulled back. "At least it means less work." He spoke light-heartedly, excited for the warmer seasons. His eyes shut briefly as he imagined the summer sun warming his back. He refocused his attention on her, gentle pools of brown meeting her golden orbs, "I hope you've been well? I see you've found another adventure." He gestured towards the waterfalls, pausing to take in the scenery again, watching the water cascade down the step-like rock formation.

"Thank you, you're fine though," Isomne gave a shrug and a light laugh at his first words, while she certainly appreciated his concern and apology, there was no harm done. She was simply a bit on-guard, down in this overgrown hollow, standing on unknown ground. The place had a beautiful, but strange feeling to it, nothing that would dissuade her here but she had not wished to be caught off guard. She was glad his was a friendly face. Perhaps they could explore this place together, she'd feel a little better with him to back her up.

And yet it seemed he was perhaps a little different than before, his next words more cheeky than she'd expected. She raised an eyebrow, watching as he drank from the stream anyway. "No fun, hmm? I suppose that may be true," she let her tail sway thoughtfully.

"but in order to travel the Lore, its good to know of places like this," she mused, strolling to the edge of the pool and glancing over the ledge's edge.

The flow of the stream over the rocks was rimed with ice here and there, but the flow had kept it from freezing entirely. She bent to inspect it with feigned fascination, before directing her gaze back over her shoulder toward Luca. Hoping he'd join her. No fun, really, we shall see.

(This post was last modified: Mar 09, 2023, 03:31 AM by Isomne. Edit Reason: formatting )

He smiled, nodding, listening to her laugh. His tail continued to wag behind him. He was glad to hear he hadn't upset the woman further than perhaps a brief startle.

Luca chuckled; he was merely jesting with his words. The place needn't be exciting or frozen over for him, it was easy on the eyes...like Isomne. "Indeed." He agreed with the woman, following behind her to take a gander. Ever so considerate of not stepping into her personal space.

As she bent towards the water, he crept a little closer copying the she-wolf's actions. He failed to notice her looking at him, the male standing there relaxed He felt no need to be tense around the other and was clueless about anything she might've had planned.

"I will admit it's gorgeous scenery, even if it's not a frozen lake." He added the last part jokingly. In truth, it was nice to see something aside from his homeland's vast emptiness.

(This post was last modified: Mar 10, 2023, 02:58 AM by Luca.)

"It is, isn't it? I hadn't expected such a place existed here," She mused thoughtfully. He seemed to take her words at face value, approaching to a respectful distance before testing the waters, so to speak and moving a little closer. A rather devilish thought had entered her mind. In truth, she did not know why it had occurred to her but now that it had, she felt impulsive enough in the moment to act on it.

Her gaze remained innocently trained on the scenery before them in apparent admiration, even while her paw swept out toward the flowing water below.

Striking the surface with her paw, she set a splash toward Luca, whom she hoped was still unsuspecting or at least not prepared to react to her ploy. Hopefully she'd manage to surprise him with the splash. And he thinks frozen lakes are entertaining? The impish thought raced through her mind.

"Yes" He replied nonchalantly to Isomne's question, completely missing the possibility of it being rhetorical. Luca's soft brown eyes remained watching the water trickle on over the ledge. Enchanted by the peaceful paradise his friend had stumbled upon. He remained clueless up until the point his face was soaked. He stood there in disbelief, blinking, cold water dribbling off his fur.

At first he was quiet, then a few soft chuffs escaped before he was bellowing out a deep hearty laughter. He gazed up at his lady friend with a mischievous smirk and winked. Not thinking twice about getting wet he lifted up onto his back paws and came down with a splash! The water sprayed up around them, the sunlight reflecting off of the droplets, then cascading back down potentially soaking the pair. The man was still laughing, his tail wagging back and forth, "Maybe...just maybe, this is better."

For a moment there was only silence, as she anticipated a reaction. Had she misjudged her new acquaintance, and done something he would not react well to? Such behavior was certainly not her usual way. But maybe it was the thrill of finding this new place, together with her happiness to see him that had brought out a mischievous side of the bardic woman.

Then he was laughing, though, and a merry sound bubbled up from her to meet with his. Their laughter echoed around the hollow, mingling with the mirthful noises of the water. Catching his wink, she was not sure what to make of it, until Luca reared up and brought his paws splashing down in the water.

She should have expected retribution, really! Yelping with laughter she jumped back, shaking her coat instinctively as she tried to minimize the soaking with only mild success.

"Glad I could convince you!" she remarked as if her victory had been unquestionable, letting her own tail sway. "Though I must admit, the other way was not without a certain excitement." They had lived to tell the tale after, had they not?

Their laughter filled the air, and Luca snuck a glance at the woman from the corner of his eye. Her happy voice warmed his heart. She was a beautiful woman...but his friend and that was where he'd leave it. No reason to ruin a good thing for some budding emotions that were foreign and complicated. Not to mention the pack law @Jethro had made more than clear.

Luca stood tall in the water as it rained back down around them. His chest was puffed out, head lifted proud of his little stunt. He chuckled at her response, "Here let me help you." Winking he pranced up to her side and shook his pelt out. Consquenlcy poofing himself out like a grey marshmallow. His reflection stared back up at him from the water. The wolf bellowed out a hearty laugh.

He wagged his tail at her words, I'm glad too. Luca enjoyed the sentiment of her words. Gentle brown eyes danced with amusement. Living life on the edge." He joked and took a few steps forward so that his toes hung off of the staircase like rock formation.

"FADE"