Hot Springs the air begins to feel a little thin

@Kajika | morning (cloudy 56 ° F, 13 ° C)

There was a pack north of them that the shadow knew very little about. He was unsure if they had been present when he resided in the willows to the west, for he had never ventured this far north in the mountains until he left the monadnock. Even though he was not interested in making friends the Archer-Lyall knew that Aurora Heights could benefit from learning more about the other pack in the mountains. Were they friendly or hostile? He was also curious as to how much Kyna knew about them, for her birthpack had been close to where they were now.

Greer had always stretched his paws as a child—exploring the territories that surrounded the Ridge—but aside from climbing the Heights to visit Kyna, he had not explored much of the mountains until he left the southern eden. During their travels south he and his scarlet mate had not made many stops for they had wanted to return to the place they decided to call home. Now that little Revon was older the shadow was more willing to travel further, searching for both food and loners as he distanced himself from Aurora.

The smell of the springs hit him before he spotted them. His nose wrinkled immediately as his pace slowed. Despite his age Greer’s curiosity got the best of him as he padded, cautiously, up to one of the pools of water. He could feel the warmth radiating off the liquid as he approached, causing his brows to pinch together. As much as he wanted to plunge into the pool Greer resisted. He knew he was close to the other pack and worried that if he let his guard down he might not receive a warm welcome. So, instead, he meandered around the springs, his ears perched high atop his skull to listen for approaching wolves.

(This post was last modified: Jul 10, 2017, 11:24 PM by Greer.)

There were days that the dark beta needed to get away from the pack but a trip like the one he'd taking at the beginning of spring was out of the question. So many bad things had taken place that he did not feel comfortable leaving for longer than a few hours. He had learned that it was necessary for him to get away and clear his head with so many things on his mind lately. To take a break from his all, his duties, and everything to just do nothing was what helped to keep him from the darkness and from being consumed by the anger that burned inside him.

It wasn't often he visited the hot springs anymore. The warm water even in the summer was a comfort that Kajika sought that day. Even if he only stuck his paws in the warm would run up his legs. It was something he knew from past experience and it was what he usually came for. Something about the springs helped to ease his mind just a little even if it was for just a short time it was enough.

What he wasn't expecting was to run into another wolf when he arrived but the scent of another male was in the air. It mingled with the scent of the springs and it was faintly familiar, one he'd come across before. His mind went to when he'd skirted the border of one of the other packs on the mountain. This man was from the other pack which presented a pleasant surprise as it would give him the chance to meet one of the wolves and find out what they were like. He found the dark man soon enough, “You might enjoy the feeling of the warm water washing across your paws,” he suggested to the man as he approached.

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The heat radiating off the springs was almost too much for the dark-furred wolf but he was intrigued by their existence. He had not stumbled upon such a peculiar phenomenon in his three years and he was absolutely flabbergasted that it had taken so long to find them. During his time in the willows he had only ventured to the Heights, as he never wanted to stray from home too long, for his mother had been rather lenient with his excursions. As far as he knew the lowlands did not possess anything similar.

Despite his increasing curiosity he was still wary of the billows of steam that protruded from the liquid. It seemed unnatural and he was not sure it was safe as the pools were accompanied by an unusual smell.

However the voice suggested dipping his paws into the water. Immediately a frown sprawled across his dark features as he turned to the speaker, his brows pinched together in disbelief. The ebony stranger’s scent was similar to the land he had travelled to, which meant that he was either a member of the nearby pack or a dedicated loner. Greer hoped for the former only because he was curious about their northern neighbours, although the latter would also be warmly received. His pack was small but they were slowly acquiring new members. Living in the mountains made it difficult to recruit as most wolves preferred the comfort of trees or meadows. Not all wolves were capable of living atop a mountain.

The shadow shrugged in response with an amused grin stretched across his dark lips. His tongue remained still, words hanging in the back of his throat as his movements ceased. He did not know if he wanted to dip his toes into the liquid—perhaps this was an elaborate trap. There was no way to tell if the dark wolf was a friend or foe, as the soft-spoken words would be laced with hidden intention. 

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

They never came looking for him there which gave him the perfect place to get away and try to escape some of the things that were constantly in his mind. He had a lot of worries these days as beta especially as he tried to ease his alphas load. He'd always believe that was the most important part of his job, to make Vespertio's life just a little easier. After all the agouti man needed some time to himself as well especially all he'd been through since Kajika had joined the pack.

The dark man wondered if any of his pack mates came to the spring and waded in just as he usually did. If they did he didn't know about it and hoped that one of the times he was there he wouldn't run into them as it was time for himself.

Who he'd found at the springs certainly wasn't a pack mate, he didn't have the right scent. He did smell of the new pack that Kajika had yet to investigate. Like himself the man had a dark coat only it was fully black while his own wasn't it. He shouldn't have really been that surprised to find someone at the springs, it certainly wasn't the first time.

The suggestion was made and the man didn't say anything but the expression that the dark face held caused the beta to think the man was unsure about it. He could understand that after all the springs were a little strange on a first encounter. Water was supposed to be cold but the springs was a special place in his own opinion. He'd come hoping a little time in the warmth of the water would help to ease his mind.

A shrug was given in response so he decided to show the man. Kajika didn't really understand the aversion to at least dipping a paw in and feeling the temperature of the weather. The beta stepped up to the pool and without hesitation walked into the water so that his paws would be covered. It took mere seconds for the warmth of the water to start traveling up his tired legs. He let out a sigh before looking at the stranger, see nothing to worry about. "You really will enjoy it I'm sure,” he said looking over his shoulder at the darker man.

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It was much easier to hide in a forest. The canopy of branches overhead casted down shadows, allowing Greer to shield himself from the summer sun. There was also an array of foliage that provided shelter if he needed to duck out of sight and conceal himself. Most of his childhood had been spent hiding and perfecting his stalking abilities. He moved with the same eerie silence that the moon possessed; his paws treading so lightly that they seldom disturbed the forest floor.

The mountain, however, did not offer the same protection. He was vulnerable here, like he had been on the monadnock and the tundra. There were no trees to hide him here. But the Archer-Lyall was adapting. The mountain was unpredictable, which meant his steps had to be precise and cautious, causing him to be even lighter on his toes. He often stuck to abandoned goat trails, for they weaved through the rock with expert precision. Greer was learning to use boulders and cliffs to his advantage, often using their shadows to blend into his greyscale surroundings.

The monadnock had done well in preparing him for life on the mountains.

His silver gaze narrowed as the dark stranger approached the steaming pool of liquid, a frown cut deep into his dark features. The wolf did not hesitate as he stepped into the warm water, allowing it to cover his paws. His ears twitched as he returned his gaze to the pool at his side, youthful curiosity bubbling inside his chest. You really will enjoy it I’m sure. He dismissed the words with a flick of his tail as he stepped forward, allowing his forepaws to embrace the warmth. The shadow felt foolish for being apprehensive about the hot springs, but he had never seen them before. He made a mental note to bring Kyna and Revon here, even though he was positive his scarlet mate was aware of their presence.

“Local?” He asked suddenly as he stepped deeper into the spring, allowing his back paws to enter. His silver gaze had returned to the dark stranger with his maw canted to the side as he waited for a response. Greer was positive that the older male was part of the nearby pack but he wanted to be sure. 

While finding someone at the springs already hadn't been ideal for the beta it was sometimes good to see new faces. Especially if he knew they meant no harm to those he cared about. Being so far from Fallen Tree Cove he wasn't so on edge about newcomers, he could actually relax and have a conversation with them. As he studied the man he'd run into he realized he didn't seem much a conversationalist but that was fine with the beta.

Kajika wasn't sure why the man had ce to the hot springs when he seemed hesitant to at least dipping his paws into the warm water. A little reassurance he thought could help so he'd told him he would like it before stepping in himself. The familiar warmth made its way up his legs and beckoned him to walk further into the water. He resisted for the time since he didn't know the man or what he might do. It was best to not put himself in a vulnerable position since they still had no idea about Moonshadow's attacker.

A slight smile tugged at the beta:s lips as it seemed his example and reassurance was exactly what was needed. The dark male finally moved to put his paws into the water which allowed Kajika to relax just a little. He even stepped a little further in allowing his hindpaws to be covered in the warmth of the springs.

His ear went to the man as he asked about the Kajika's origins. The beta nodded, “Local enough, my pack isn't far from here, Fallen Tree Cove,” he replied. Now that it seemed they were down to the important questions he felt it okay to settle his curiosities about this man. “You local as well?” He wasn't sure of the distance from the new pack as he'd only come across their borders once while hunting and quickly gave it a wide berth. He was certain that they were fairly close to the springs, close enough anyway.

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He did not wade any further into the warm water. Instead he allowed it to pool around his ankles and warm his toes. He would have to return to the springs in the future—perhaps under the cover of darkness, to avoid running into another. For now, however, he was enjoying himself. Even if his solitude had been disturbed.

His mercury gaze remained focused on his dark companion, brows narrowed softly as he responded to Greer’s question. Local enough. His ears twitched in amusement, a corner of his mouth curling upward. Fallen Tree Cove. It was a name he had heard before but he was unfamiliar with their members. Until now. He nodded silently, digesting the information he had been fed. The question, as expected, had been turned to him, dripping off the stranger’s tongue with the same curiosity that had driven Greer to speak. “South,” he responded absently as he motioned over his shoulder in the direction he had come from. “Aurora Heights.” The shadow did not know if the locals were aware of their existence, for the small group had kept to themselves mostly. They scoured the rock for food to share with his scarlet mate and their daughter, as well as establishing their scent borders. There were not many wolves that frequented the mountain, so Greer would not be surprised if their neighbours had been unaware of their arrival. 

The beta was pleased the man had taken his advice about the spring, no one should miss out on the experience of it. One day Kajika would have to bring Chan to this place so that he too could enjoy the warmth of the water. It would have to wait until the pup was bigger and could travel the distance. Kajika could wait, he was a patient man after all.

The next topic of conversation was where he was from to which Kajika answered a bit humorously but gave the man the information he sought. The dark beta was just as curious as to where the stranger hailed from so returned the question. The pack that he believed the man to be from was close but not so close that Fallen Tree Cove should feel threatened by their presence. Only close enough that it might be a smart idea to forge an alliance. This of course was something he would have to talk to Vespertio about but it was important that this impromptu meeting go well. The man spoke of the direction as well as the name of his pack which brought another question to mind, “Have you been there long?” While he'd come across their scent he couldn't be sure how long the pack had actually called the area home.

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His toes curled against the warm stone as he remained ankle-deep in the water, enjoying the warmth that radiated up his legs. He realized now how foolish he had been to be cautious of the strange pools, but it was better to be wary than stupid. Greer did not know how his scarlet mate would feel if he had returned to Aurora with his toes burnt off by the scalding liquid… The thought almost caused a smile to crack his stoic features but he remained composed, his mercury gaze fixated on the older male.

Have you been there long? The shadow quickly shook his head. It felt much longer than it had been, but that was because Greer had been busy with his daughter and his duties. “Spring,” he added to elaborate on his nonverbal response, his features softening. “Cove long?” The shadow was getting good at repeating the male’s questions back to him, but they also buzzed around his own head. Greer just wasn’t as talkative and the questions would have hung on the tip of his tongue if the Cove wolf had not been steering the conversation. “First Cove wolf Greer see,’ he added as a lacklustre attempt to add substance to his question. To show that he was interested in what the dark male had to say, even though he wasn't.

But he knew that Kyna would be...