Cedarwood Forest hey, don't write yourself off yet

@Jaysyek Hope this is okay! Lemme know if I should change anything!

For the first time, Pip's breath didn't fog out in front of her upon stepping out of the medical den in the morning. She smiled and gave a long stretch complete with her tail flagging over her back since she'd sensed no one around. Following that, she gave a quick shake and started to trot off towards the familiar falls where she had grown used to fishing without being interrupted by angry beavers who wanted a piece of her.

The yearling had grown used to the routine. Each morning was filled with "soaking her leg in cold water to help with healing" or, as Pip liked to call it, fishing. Though her left hind leg wasn't completely up to one hundred percent just yet, she felt markedly better under Veho's gentle care.

She wondered if the water would be quite as cold as it should be considering the almost warm breeze that blew through the trees. The sunny spots where light filtered through the cedar trees were warm on the fur of her back. In no time at all, the snow which still hid in the darkest parts of the forest would be melted and gone, giving way to spring flowers. Pip was looking forward to seeing the difference the season made for the forest. Back in Bella Coola, she'd always admired the forest edge and all its pretty flowering trees.

Her quiet, pleasant morning was interrupted by an awfully strange sound. It reminded her of the click her nails made across stone or the constant buzzing of cicadas without the telltale pitching and yawing of different tones. Russett ears swiveled towards the sound and spotted movement in one of the sunny spots along the forest floor. Though she'd never seen a rattlesnake in her life, preservation instincts had the young wolf taking a firm step backwards, orange eyes locked on the flicking black tongue and dark beady eyes which watched her with just as much caution.

Run, don't run? Too nervous for motion, Pip found herself locked in place while the snake stared her down.

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Her dirty paws and furry coat

Though surely she did nothing as quickly as she use to, she was attempting to get back into a better rhythm. First things first, she made an effort to spend more of her time around he main pack den. She still didn't sleep there often, but interacting with others even if it wasn't anything more than small talk helped her improve emotionally. Physically why her weight wasn't the greatest, her ribs at least weren't on show any more. Spring was a lot closer than it had felt.

Humming a melody, she had in mind to get a drink to start her day. With the warmth that had persisted over the lands she had in mind to go stretch her legs beyond the borders for a change. Almost there, she noticed she was following the steps of a yearling of the pack. She could picture the young female, sorta. She might have glimpsed her once in the Hollow. It was with a smile she figured maybe they would be better acquainted.

It changed as strange, menacing sound tickled her ears. Immediately, her smile fell, and hair raised above her shoulders. There was only one thing that made that sound. Afraid now, she moved forward quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Pip was taking a step away from the snake."That's it, just keep taking one step at a time," she softly called to her, hoping to encourage her to safety. Praying that the snake would take its chance to leave as well. "No quick movements, no loud noise, and you'll be all right." Voice was calm, yet confident as her mismatched eyes remained glued to the tawny wolf rather than the snake.

(This post was last modified: Apr 06, 2016, 06:26 PM by Jaysyek.)

Pip flinched visibly at the sound of the older wolf's voice behind her. The ears that had been pressed flat against her head flicked anxiously as she followed the directions given. Carefully, the yearling moved with agonizing slowness away from the coiled creature that rattled at her. By the time Pip's black and tan flank bumped against her packmate, the snake had uncoiled and started slithering safely away. Orange eyes remained pinned on the animal until it was out of sight beneath the cover of dense, fast growing foliage.

The young female let out a soft breath of relief and turned to wag her tail with embarrassment. It lay low and tucked against the back of her legs. In her usual greeting fashion for any who smelled of Grizzly Hollow, Pip approached in a hunched stance to lick at the muzzle of the heterochromatic female. Constant conditioning in her birth pack had taught the little wolf to quickly show her submission in order to avoid a sharp reprimand from others. However, the action was quickly becoming a way for her to express affection as well. As yet, Pip hadn't met a wolf in her new pack that she didn't care for. She doubted this pretty white she-wolf would be any different.

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Her dirty paws and furry coat

"Almost there," she murmured, glimpsing the snake from the corner of her eye. It started to move, but the yearling was now beside her, and her anxiety dissipated. Still Jayse held her ground, watching it disappear into the forest to warm itself else where. Hopefully, it would not be back. There were no pups now, there would be, and she hated to think of what could happen. Either way she was going to warn everyone else who came this way to be on the look out. She rather disliked snakes.

White ears tipped in the direction of the black and tawny yearling curious. She was a little surprised how she greeted her.  Her submissive her nature was more than most, and yet considering their age and rank difference, the whole snake issue she let it pass. It seemed a respectful, thankful gesture, and her white banner beat the air behind her in turn. "Glad you're all right." Poison was something no one came back from, she sadly knew from experience. But, the elder lady would have surely got between snake and yearling if it had come down to.  It would have been an easy choice, not just because of her age, but that's just who she was. "I'm Jaysyek, Rook and Hocus' mother," she politely introduced herself, a smile upon her muzle. "So what were you trying to do before you were rudely interrupted?"

Sorry for the wait!

As the female introduced herself, Pip's ears flicked forward in recognition of one of the names. While she had yet to meet @Rook, she had spent some time with @Hocus; the one who called her Squawk and Pip-Squeak. Their coloring was similar - she realized she should have noticed sooner. Of course, she was still trembling a bit from the recent close call with the snake. Her packmate's reaction had only affirmed the instinct that it was not a creature to mess with unless one wanted to face dire consequences.

@Jaysyek's question earned a considering look as Pip thought on how best to communicate her previous intentions. While @Veho's orders were to soak her leg, she really had intended on fishing as well as seek out some solitude. However, since spotting the snake, the sea wolf would much rather prefer for the more experienced wolf to accompany her. Without an effective way to say what she wanted, Pip nudged the she-wolf's muzzle gently before trotting in the direction she intended in the first place while giving the spot where the snake had been a wide berth. Pausing, she waited for the older wolf to begin following before continuing on to the small pool she preferred for smaller fish that didn't cause excess strain of her healing injury.

Wasting little time, the little female plodded right into the cool water. As quick as she was, Pip was able to snag a small fry immediately from the pool. Pleased with herself - and showing off just a tad - the yearling returned to her packmate and set the small sunfish at her paws in offering.

Her dirty paws and furry coat

Call it what it was, but when Pip made now swift attempt to vocalize the silver lady felt she likely never would. She had only met one other wolf on such occasion, their meeting brief, but it was obvious when someone was more than shy.  Whatever kept her rather mute would not prevent her from trying to explain.

Curiosity and warmth to her mismatched eyes they held intently upon the young lady. It seemed only take her a thoughtful moment, and once more she pressed her nose against her. Without question Jayse did follow, happy to see what it was she wanted to show her. If it helped keep her mind off the incident moments before the better.

The pool,Jayse knew rather well, caught in her sight, and she halted not quite by the edge. Just like that Pip entered the water, eyes searching. It was then she understood when her pale muzzle shout down. The elder's brows lifted in amazement how quickly the yearling nabbed one. Even more so she would place it before her. "Thank you." Voice was sincere, because a single act of kindness was no small thing in her book. Why she had every intention to eat the gift, she did not yet.

 "So, you come from the coast I would guess?" Briefly she blinked, regarding her companion with the same look as before. Jayse had always been rather friendly wolf, taking the time to get to know someone.  She was rather over-motherly in general having raised eleven pups.

"I use to born by the ocean, it's hard not to miss." She would never forget the way it tasted on her tongue, the pull of the waves, and sand in her toes. Why Jayse wasn't a half bad fisher, it had been a long time, and she had a feeling this lass had technique. "Will you show me how you do that?" She requested, clearly interested.

The young wolf practically glowed with praise, her smile lighting up her orange eyes. In the bright light that lit upon them at the pool, her eyes almost appeared to be a pale yellow rather than dark orange. Pip's tail wagged in a full circle, absolutely delighted that her gift was taken well. To keep herself from annoying @Jaysyek with more muzzle-licking—as Pip tended to do whenever she was relieved or happy or grateful—the yearling lay down, her tail now swishing across the ground. Her still wet tail gathered dirt and leaves aplenty in her fur, but she paid no mind.

Russet ears flicked forward at the mention of the coast. She nodded enthusiastically, pleased that the elder wolf had noticed. None of the other Grizzly Hollow wolves seemed quite as familiar with the ocean; it was nice to know it wasn't a complete mystery to all of them. To hear she was born by the ocean as well had the yearling yearning for stories from Jaysyek's time there, but with no way to request it, she was satisfied with hearing all that she would offer on her own.

Pip quickly stood again at the elder female's request for learning how to fish. The little wolf chirped excitedly and trotted back into the water, dancing excitedly in place as she waited for Jayse to join her.

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There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

<33 I am sorry time has not been on my side nor my Jayse muse.

Her dirty paws and furry coat

For one so young and far from her home she communicated quite well. Better in fact than others with words. Though thank God, Kiche had eventually come around. The thought of him made her homesick. Home surely wasn't a place, but a feeling these days.

Pip's bright smile and colorful stare somehow kept her from falling in sadness. Surely this girl could have lit up a great space with her smile. She seemed like someone who would hold the lowest rank just to pick others up. But, Jayse wasn't fully certain she was right in that assumption. 

The old queen felt herself grinning as Pip confirmed they had grown in similar settings."It's been a long time. I'm sure I left when I was about your age actually. I remember falling asleep to the crash of the waves. Hating and loving, the taste the water left on my tongue. If I was younger I might venture there, just to see it one more time." Lightly she chuckled. She was done wandering, and if it was the one regret she died with it didn't seem so bad. "Here we don't have the ocean, but the lagoon isn't bad. Best place for swimming at least. I imagine you probably love that too." She was probably damn good at it. The silvered lady was more curious now why the yearling had left. If Fraust hadn't died Jayse wasn't sure what kind of life she would have lead.

At Pip's encouragement she cautiously padded to her, finding place beside her, watching her so closely. Would this be harder or an easier way to learn? She briefly mused how much Tomen would probably like to take up the skill as well.

(This post was last modified: May 20, 2016, 03:27 AM by Jaysyek.)

The youngling found her heart aching for Bella Coola as @Jaysyek recounted her own life by the ocean. But as much as Pip missed the sea - the sights, the sounds, the scents, the gulls - she found she was adapting well to forest life. The pack made it easier to adjust. All of them had been so welcoming thus far. @Veho felt as much like a big brother as he did her Alpha, a fact she was certain would upset @Blitz had he known. @Oula was as much the protective mother her own had not been and @Hocus was that sweet, strange uncle she'd always wanted. Of course, @Yvly and @Amaryllis were the best friends she'd yearned for as a pup, and now with @Niq'x and @Tyne and @Nauja here as well, she'd never felt more at home than now.

Jaysyek was right, the lagoon wasn't bad. Quickly, she'd come to enjoy the freshwater along her fur. It certainly required less grooming than with the sand and salt of the beach. As she had shown @Kjell - the kind wanderer who saved her from getting eaten by that beaver - Pip lowered her russet and cream muzzle towards the water's surface and waited for small fish in the pool to grow accustomed to her presence. Only when she could see the minute details of scales along the fish's body did she strike. Her bite was excited and fierce enough that it didn't even flop in her jaws this time, instead just hanging limply.

Pip frowned for a moment in contemplation. Kjell was in his prime and well able to follow her direction. But would Jaysyek's age make it harder for her to follow suit? An idea was forming as to how to make it easier for the elder wolf, but she would watch for now to see how capable Jayse was on her own without the extra help. She nodded encouragingly for the older woman to try the same, smiling around her catch.