Whisper Marsh Sound of a dinner bell

Bracken, you hear the bizarre croak of a blue heron.

The situation was getting more desperate now.

Bracken continued to chew the lump of twigs and leaves in her mouth, dutifully swallowing down the grassy saliva. It had smelled much better than it tasted, but it gave her stomach something to do besides painfully digest itself. The young wolf jostled forward suddenly, letting her "meal" fall ungracefully with a shake from her head. She'd seen grizzlies eat blueberries before; curling their tongues skillfully around the clusters of berries. Bracken bite at the ends of the branches, snorting as stems went up her noise in the effort. They weren't the salmonberries she'd grown up around, but they did tinge her new mouthful with a not-unbearable taste.

Her encounter in the Ghastly Forest hadn't been particularly helpful, serving only to let her know that a thicket (perhaps THE thicket) was nearby. She'd gone the other way, swerving away from the direction with her mother's vague warning in her ears. If only Iopah could have guessed the way life was going to unfold for her daughter.

Bracken ventured toward the marsh, gray smudged pelt darkening even more with the moisture. She followed her nose, both tempted and concerned by the stray scent of wolves. An unexpected noise made her head fling up, burnt-orange eyes wide with alarm. She tread carefully into the marsh, pausing momentarily as violent splashing accompanied the odd sound. A pair of blue herons were fighting, croaking at each other and trying to drive the other away from the prized fishing spot. The hungry wolf watched the argument with bright interest. Perhaps one injured the other? Perhaps, she'd be able to catch (and eat!) an injured blue heron?

How lucky am I to get a Emma thread?! @Bracken 

i don't even know if i believe

Aurora Thane

She wandered with a destination in mind, her nose close to the ground with thick paws pummeling anything within its path. It didn't take long before the scenery changed from a dense forest to an open marsh with the serene sound of chirping bugs welcoming her entrance, all around her stood thick mud with trapped logs; it was the illusion of a scary scene.

She paused in stride long enough to glance around her, listening to the distant sound of a shrieking call and flapping wings that were no doubt the owner of some kind of bird. The thick muck clung to her pelt, covering her coat in a color the resemblance of something much darker than it was naturally, though she hardly mind, her thoughts were more focused on finding the budding mushrooms she'd conversed to @Rosalind with. It would seem that she needed their medicinal advantages much sooner than expected.

Careful treading brought her closer to the clashing sound of fighting birds, and from the distance shes stood she could tell that these blue herons were clashing over hunting space. It would seem that the watering hole was a prime sight for fishing; her stomach rumbled loudly. In the midst of the clashing rival birds stood a female wolf, another stranger she hoped to grow better acquainted with if circumstances were different. She said nothing, wondering if the woman had noticed her as well or had become too absorbed in the fighting.  

Graphics by Arya and Becuffin!

sorry for the wait, love!


Her nostrils flared in the damp breeze, following the squabble with both scent and sight. The young wolf was unsure of her next move. Should she rush at them now and hope to take one unawares? Bracken shifted in place, lifting a sopping, dripping front paw. No, surely the birds would hear her crashing through the water long before she got close. Bracken set her front paw back down and frowned out at the birds.

There were stands of reed in the marsh, dotting the landscape irregularly. Vivid orange eyes flitted from patch to patch; measuring the open, exposed spaces between. Her eyes darted back to the still-squabbling herons, would they see her? Maybe, but they wouldn't get into her mouth without trying something. Bracken shifted her weight forward, gingerly moving for the nearest stand of reeds. The girl young woman ducked low. Marsh water soaked her lower half, tail trailing on the surface behind her.

Bracken reached the first stand and stood higher, the reeds waving softly around her. Water dripped freely from her coat, tail a dark rope hanging from her rump. She didn't dare shake any off, she was going back into the water in another moment anyways. The Reinier looked out at the marsh, planning her next move. From her new vantage point, she was able to see Rory now. Bracken stared for a moment, head coming to a slow tilt in curiosity. Silence was of the essence, the hunt was not cancelled quite yet. Bracken craned her head to stare pointedly at the herons, then looked back directly at Rory. Her head tilted the other way in silent question.

I seriously missed rping with you! @Bracken

i don't even know if i believe

Aurora Thanne

The sound of the herons bickering were drowned out in the background as she watched the wolf at the other end of the lake, anxious to take advantage of her situation. Bracken was smart to attempt a hunt when they were distracted, it could go horribly and yet it could go completely to her without much work done then being more strategic; she watched in silence, head cocking to the side. What was this wolf going to do now?

She couldn't quite understand what the other wolf was doing until she was behind the wall of reeds and she realized that they had made an excellent camouflage given the distraction that absorbed the attention of her prey and she felt herself duck to the ground, hoping to conceal herself as well. She'd kick herself if she were the reason the herons had got wise to her plan, and hoped that if the woman was successful she could snag a bite of two in the process. Water soaked into her pale fur but she remained still, the only movement came from her yellow eyes which had begun to scan the area with anticipation.

Bracken stood above the reeds, possibly checking to see how much ground she had gained and whether the herons were watching her but what met Rory's eyes were that of the hunting wolf and she stood as still as possible, wondering if the young woman would perceive her as a threat or competition. She couldn't quite voice anything, not wanting to scare off the prey, and the way she attempted to lower herself even more nearly resembling a shag rug against the marsh should be enough to let her company know that she was no harm. For now she was simply a hungry bystander, rooting the other hungry wolf on.

Graphics by Arya and Becuffin!