Log-fall Foss Trying to Find the Best of It

For @Anastasia :D

Fall was coming.

That was the excuse he was going along with if anyone questioned him about the atmosphere of Wild Rye Fields. Because he was pretty sure there was some kind of weird tension going on. The kind that had Askan and Reyes hanging around the puppies and main den a whole lot more than usual. Which in itself was pretty strange. There was also the abrupt appearance of Riseala and the fact that he could smell Hearthwood River whenever he went around the borders.

Things were weird. He didn't know if he should have been relieved or upset at the fact that he wasn't involved. Maybe a mixture of both or maybe even neither.

He settled for being content.

It seemed like the smart choice. Especially when it meant he could wander and explore the area as he pleased without having to worry. Which was what he usually did but he didn't need to acknowledge that. Instead he focused on the dull thud of his own footfalls as he pressed deeper into the woods. The air smelled cold and wet. There were leaves littering the forest floor. And he was pretty sure if he cocked his head and strained his ears just right he could hear the distant trickle of rushing water.

His pace picked up and he was rewarded with the view of a river and what seemed like a waterfall of sorts. The river curved upwards into foothills. He didn't know where it lead. And probably never would because his attention was drawn to the fallen tree that hung like a makeshift bridge over the rushing water. Instinct said to cross it because who knew if it would still be standing next time he found the place. The rest of him screamed don't because who knew what the structural integrity was.

He settled for waddling forward and placing a single paw on the tree-bridge. It didn't creak or immediately shatter when he put weight down on his paw. Somewhere behind him his tail wagged and the gears of his mind slowly came to life.

(This post was last modified: Aug 23, 2017, 02:17 AM by Cottongrass.)

Finding the best in any situation was difficult and already Anastasia was having a hard time coping. This particular return of hers seemed far more drastic a change than the last but time had certainly been a factor. Before she had only been away a few months but this time it had been a year or two at best. It was unfair to think that time wouldn't ravage all that she loved; Anastasia knew she should be happy yet all she felt was dismal at best.

So the pale cherub carried on and allow herself to wander far into the hillside ravine where she could reflect dangerously upon the things that she had once dreamed of having but had been dashed away miserably. Heartwood River was nice but she had a lot of growth to do if she wanted to actually make it home.

Upon the hour she spies a wolf similar to her own pale friend and her hearts aches to call to him but she can't. Not now, she needs this time -- instead she watches  him put a paw on the farther reaches of the log as though testing its sturdiness. Unaware that it wasn't even XIX to begin with.

by Sarah

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The natural bridge was stable beneath his paw. There was no horrible groaning or creaking coming from the fallen tree and he decided he liked it. Because he climbed plenty of trees in his day. But crossing one? It was a unique experience. One that he was going to take even when he had no business in crossing the river. His tail only picked up its wagging pace and he placed another one of his front paws on the bridge. And just to be safe—

He stamped both of his front paws against the trunk. Like he was just making sure the bridge would actually hold his fully body weight when he decided to start crossing. There was no such thing as being too safe. He was starting to learn that the hard way. His ears even twisted forward and his head cocked to the side as he strained. He could only hear the dull roar of rushing water that came from below and he decided it was good enough.

With a happy wiggle of his rear end he glanced around the immediate area. Because if someone was around he was going to share his discovery whether or not they cared. He would talk about the integrity of the tree bridge to a rock for all he cared. It was just that exciting to him. But when his yellow eyes fell on the form of a she-wolf that was pale in coloration and slight in frame just staring—

He startled and almost jumped into the river right then and there. Because how long had she been there? And why? His mind scrambled and he wondered if she saw him do anything weird. But he suddenly couldn't remember what he just did and his mouth parted as if to explain. Except all that came out was a few stuttered attempts and it only added to his panic.

"Uh—" What the heck would a normal person say in this situation? He really didn't know. "Hey! Hi." He offered her what he hoped was a friendly smile while his tail started to wag in a frenzied haze. "What are you doing?" And it wasn't the most eloquent of first impressions but he supposed it was better than nothing.

It would probably be better than the stranger's idea to just stare for who knows how long...

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

As soon as his eyes met hers, she could tell that it wasn't her friend. Anastasia had been around Lachesis enough in the past to know the eyes that looked at her and while being startled was a fan favorite back in the day, it simply wasn't the same view. Nor was the stuttering voice that beckoned. "I thought you were someone else," she answered as to explain why she was looking at him so strangely and not taking her eyes off of him. She understood that given he was a stranger, having another look at him with estranged fondness was probably quite odd and she did not wish to give him any doubt that she was creepy or strange. "I'm sorry, that was probably very weird to see someone you don't know staring at you." Anastasia wasn't quite used to apologizing for these types of things but it had been easy as of late for her mind to space out when she was away from the River. "I'm Anastasia."

by Sarah

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!

He couldn't understand a single word she was saying. Something about someone else? Did she think he was someone else? It would make sense and explain her staring. But he wasn't sure and his guess was as good as useless with the incessant roar of water filling his ears. He probably should have gotten off the natural bridge sooner. Maybe that way he could have understood her first few words instead of just giving her a blank stare.

Oh well.

There was no use in him obsessing over it. If it really came down to it he could probably just make up some lame excuse before running back to the safety of Wild Rye Fields. His tail wagged and he gave her what he hoped was a bright smile.

"Nah, it's okay." He chirped all while awkwardly waddling backwards off the wooden bridge. Her voice was slowly coming into focus and he felt himself growing more confident with each passing second. "It happens a lot." He explained with a happy flourish of his tail. And he didn't know what he was trying to convince her of but he supposed it was better than nothing. She was apologizing. There was no need for her to apologize. That was the end of the conversation.

He looked away to shake the spray of water off his fur. Somewhere atop his head one of his ears twitched as her soft voice filled the air again. Her name was @Anastasia and he responded without thinking.

"I'm Cottongrass!" He chirped without needing to be told. His head cocked to the side and he gave her a curious stare. "D'you need help looking for someone?" If she had mistaken him for someone else there was probably a reason behind it. Maybe he could help her look for his mysterious doppelganger. It would probably be a better way to spend the day when he thought about it.

With some luck it would seem that the pale man before her was content to let it slide. It didn't completely wash away Anastasia's embarrassment or rude antics, but she was glad that he seemed to awkwardly accept that she hadn't meant to make negative of her staring. "It's quite nice to meet you, Cottongrass." Truly, for she needed to embrace that the wolves of her past were not present and that changes had happened that she would have to deal with one way or another. Making new friends or even trying to bridge relationships was enough to lead her on the right path. "Oh no, I... I don't need help looking for anyone. You just look like my friend, Lachesis." Or, in the very least, he looked like him in terms of the white fur and the pale eyes and the way his hair turned up in the right light. That or Anastasia truly was seeing every last detail in another when it wasn't actually apparent.

by Sarah

i'd love more threads, so message me if you'd like one!
looking for friends, potential love interests and role-inspired threads!

He couldn't help it.

His voice was faster than his brain and it would probably be the end of him sooner or later but today wasn't the day. Because when @Anastasia mentioned Lachesis everything about him changed. His tail wagged and his yellow eyes brightened in excitement.

"You know Lachesis?" He barked while his paws gave an excited little stamp of a dance. It was all he could do to stop himself from asking her a million questions. He even swayed on his feet from the happy energy thrumming through his veins. But he couldn't help it! Not when he thought that Lachesis was adorable with his seemingly perpetual frown and his need to always be so polite even when Cottongrass thought the situation didn't really call for it.

Which reminded him of the fact that Lorcan was missing. He should have probably put a little more effort into finding the man since he told Lachesis he would help with the search... But that was a thought for later. Like when he was done poking Anastasia for information about the talented leader of Hearthwood River.