Grizzly Hollow Utopia

For @Pip <3 Note to self: set sometime before this thread, not sure exactly when though so being very vague about everything

With all the recent events that had happened Yvly sought out the quiet places away from all the new scents she kept coming across. Luckily she had yet to meet any of them face to face; she was good at hiding in the shadows. One new wolf she could handle, but three or more as the myriad of scents suggested was a little much. She knew she was acting like a namby-pamby, but she just was not good with strangers, especially when they outnumbered her. But just because she was hiding like a little child during Christmas from the annoying cousins, it did not mean she gave up on doing her duties. She still pursued hunting trails and did a border patrol every now and then, just... in a more discreet manner.

Today the tawny female had decided to do a border patrol seeing as it was a pretty nice day out. Not too cold and not too hot, though it was a little windy for her tastes. But a little bit of wind did not hurt anyone. In fact it was actually pretty useful for tracking down prey. But that was not her task for the day. Sniffing at the base of one of the cedarwood trees Yvly remarked the spot, making sure it was strong enough to repel any intruders from unknowingly stepping a paw onto Grizzly Hollow territory. New recruits were bad enough, she did not want complete strangers knocking at their door from inside the house.

250 words

Overwhelmed by all the recent events, Pip, too, had sought escape from activity at the heart of pack territory. Without a doubt, she had been happy to know her old pack had joined Grizzly Hollow, but their worried, overbearing presence felt suffocating at times. She knew they meant well and couldn't fault them for falling into old patterns.

Following her nose—she was getting much better at that—Pip found herself on @Yvly's trail. Having spent much of the past month with @Veho in his den while she healed, the yearling felt far too cut off from the first friend she'd ever made that wasn't formed from obligation or necessity to survive as in Bella Coola. Feeling as if she was drawing closer, Pip gave a chirp to alert the tawny female to her presence and picked up her pace a little into an ambling lope that didn't require too much from her mostly healed leg. Spotting Yvly's tell-tale fur in the dappled light of the forest, Pip's tail wagged happily. She trotted up and immediately bumped her muzzle against Yvly's own in easy greeting and then buried her muzzle at the thick fur of Yvly's ruff. Hoping to be helpful, the yearling tugged at a clump of fur that was in need of shedding.

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

@Pip <3 Funny thing the SoW drop gave us some fish ;) We could turn this into a thread where Pip teaches Yvly the basics of fishing if you want?

Hearing the all too familiar chirp from behind her, the tawny female stopped and looked over her shoulder to see the smaller and darker-hued form of her dear friend coming closer at a sauntering pace that did not look to be too taxing on her injured leg. It had been a long while since Yvly had seen her friend, and so she grinned widely, a chuckle escaping from her parted jaws at Squeak's antics, gently shaking her head and shoulders in response. "I know, I know. It's just a hard to reach place, is all," she said jokingly, though there were truth undertones in her voice. For the most part her pelt had gone ahead and shed itself nicely, and in some parts it needed a bit of help, but in places such as her ruff and throat it was a little difficult to get in there and do it herself.

And so she sat nice and still for her friend as she got cleaned up, her dark amber eyes lowering to look over Squeak's injured leg which seemed to be healing quite well. Though she could still see several gashes below her friend's hock and two puncture marks from the creature that had attacked her. "Your leg seems to be healing nicely," Yvly commented warmly as her gaze raised back up to the Squeak's face. It must have been quite terrifying for her, under attack and unable to cry out for help. Next time she wanted to be closer, so that there would not be a next time. "Been in the water... since then?" The tawny female queried, pausing slightly as she spoke. She did not want to bring back bad memories for her friend, but at the same time she had an itching urge to try and catch one of those slippery fish that swam in the water. There had been a couple of times where she discreetly attempted it by herself, and all she did was end up soaking wet and with a slightly diminished pride.

339 words

 Sorry for the wait! And absolutely, it is long overdue! Also, since this thread with Kjell was forward dated to around this time, gonna say this thread happens a few days after.

Pleased with @Yvly's friendly greeting, Pip was reassured that their bond remained intact despite not spending as much time together. She beamed as the tawny wolf shrugged off her shedding difficulties. Pip would have had them as well had she not been so carefully attended by others. The little wolf, hoping to pay forward the favor, contented herself with pulling free any straggling clumps her friend couldn't quite reach herself.

Once finished, Pip sat beside Yvly, though continued the impromptu grooming session for her own benefit. She missed being able to be helpful. When the she-wolf commented on her healing, Pip dipped her head distractedly. Yes, @Veho had done a wonderful job with his salves and poultices. Without his help, she had no doubt infection would have set in and she would have been in a poor place. Now, she was almost good as new.

She didn't expect Yvly's careful question and paused in her attentive grooming to blink at the tawny female. Despite their limited time together, she still remained as perceptive as ever. Pip nodded, smiling sweetly. She had, in fact, though not back to that part of the river for certain. Instead, she'd chosen to frequent Jasper Rocks rather than Cut Rock River.

In fact, not too long ago, Pip had taught the very same male who had saved her from the beaver how to fish in the shallows. While she longed to share it with her friend - of how @Kjell had come to her rescue and how kind he was in manner, how she hoped he would one day decide to join a pack and choose Grizzly Hollow as a home - it would simply have to be one of the countless kept secrets through unfortunate circumstance that Pip would keep to herself.

Speaking of fishing...she had promised to teach Yvly how to do so as well! The telltale splashing in a nearby pond was sign enough that today was that day. Wagging her tail, Pip stood and nipped playfully at the tawny wolf's shoulder before trotting towards the sound. Upon finding the pond, she stood before it with a grin, quite proud of her improving ability to navigate the forest. She'd be a tree-wolf yet!