Haven't finished my thread with Indru, so I'm not 100% sure where Marsh stands with Swift River yet, but I've got a rough idea. Will just have to be careful in what I say 'til the other is done, as I'm placing that one first :3 Also assuming that Borlla has wandered outside packlands? ... doesn't really work otherwise, Marsh wouldn't trespass.
<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>AND NOW WHAT DO WE DO WHAT DO WE WANT</i></b></font>
This pond, this pool, it had become a crude kind of home. His time at the frozen lake had caused Marsh to associate large bodies of water with safety, and whilst this wasn't quite a lake, it was certainly grand. Waterfalls were fascination, and Marsh contemplated trying to reach their source, but that was a trek for the future. For now, it was enough to stop, to rest. How long he planned to stay here, it was impossible to tell, but he didn't really plan these things. For now, it had everything he needed, and he would stay until something pushed him out.
It was another pretty summer's day, a warm summer's day, and Marsh was enjoying the pseudo-quiet by the shallow waters. He was sat almost as the furthest point from the falls, so whilst their crashes were ever-present, they were not overwhelming - instead, they were comforting in their reliable continuation. A reminder of his present, of the now. For the most part, Marsh was content. Resting here, he was certainly never thirsty, and the length and warmth of the days meant that he wasted less body heat and didn't need to eat as much. Hunting had always been a problem, particularly for a beast who was made to coordinate with packmates, but he survived. If anything, it was easier next to these shallows; the fresh water invited many creatures to the table, and minimal roaming meant even less energy spent.
All in all, it was a good place to rest.
So it was, the coppery beast was laid out next to the waters, his eyes fixated on the glittering surface even as his ears remained constantly aware. It had taken a while, but he had grown used to inaction once more. He was calmed, at peace, but always alert. As such, he heard the sudden, small splashes, splashes which did not come from the falls. At first, he dismissed it as a nearby animal taking a drink (but it was not so nearby to cause alarm) but then... it continued. Curiosity slowly overrode his peace, and in the end, he had dragged himself to his feet. Whatever it was, it wasn't stopping, and Marsh could hardly sit nearby while something also sat nearby; he would be on edge. Thus, he had to discover it.
He followed the sounds, and suddenly realised that the noise wasn't small because it was distant, but because the creator was also small. Marsh approached cautiously, and, upon realising that it was a very young <i>puppy</i>, his wariness increased tenfold. His mind immediately went to his nose, and now he could taste her, but... there was nobody else? Her smells, she smelt of - of Indru. His pack was the only pack Marsh was aware of in the area, so it made sense that she came from that family, but why was she so far? Indru had made it clear that his family didn't claim these waters - it was why Marsh felt content to stay here - so why would a puppy venture away?
These concerns all moved through him before he realised the more immediate concern of the puppy's safety. She had foolishly fallen into the waters, which were shallow by an adult's standards but her legs were still stunted. Comfortable that none of her family were in the immediate vicinity, Marsh straightened, allowing himself to be easily seen by the puppy if he hadn't already, stood a good number of yards from her splish sploshing position. Was it wise to aide her? Was it a trap? Was it simply an example of nature playing her tune? A young puppy silly enough to fall into water without her family nearby to help her was a puppy who deserved to drown, afterall.
Still. There was something sweet and pathetic in the way she never gave up.
Marsh offered a low, questioning whine, tilting his head at her, taking a wary step forwards. He didn't want to risk... whatever could happen from manhandling a puppy. He was far too afraid of protective mothers to act rashly.
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>DO WE ACT AS WE FEEL OR WAIT FOR COMMAND</i></b></font></blockquote>
(This post was last modified: Jul 31, 2010, 10:16 PM by Marsh.)