Turtleback Lake seeing everything in slo-mo

open for 1-2 more | early morning, light snow
however, tags for @Hawthorne (b/c wherever Plant Boy goes she's probably not too far behind) & @Risaela (because she wanted to meet Plant Boy)

It was a weird feeling, being a part of something. Not a bad weird, like how he had felt back home, in the Vale. Surrounded by wolves who never noticed when he slipped away, unnoticed, for most of the day. Where he had felt out of place. Where his parents never really acted like they actually enjoyed each other’s company, and merely stuck around because of the tawny boy. No—this was a good weird. A very good weird. He felt included, despite only knowing half of his new packmates prior to showing up at the small meeting. He felt wanted. Plus, now he had someone his own age to hang out with, so all his solo adventures could be done with an accomplice.

Except for today.

Plant Boy had ventured up north, weaving through the snow dusted trees. He had smelt the girl nearby but wasn’t really sure where she had slipped out to, but it didn’t matter. They didn’t have to be attached at the hip. Even though he wouldn’t have minded. But a little independence was nice.

Grass turned to sand as the trees grew sparse, a sheet of water only a couple metres away from where he stood. It wasn’t cold enough for the edges to freeze over just yet, but he could see snow on the three islands in the middle of the lake. His tail wagged behind him, excitement fuelling his steps forward, his toes crunching through the soft layer of snow. He had never seen anything so magnificent. Sure, the lake at the Shallows was pretty, but this was bigger; a richer cerulean with just a dash of emerald. Sachiel was glad this place was so close to where Askan (and his man-friend-thing) decided to settle down.

(This post was last modified: Nov 27, 2017, 11:05 PM by Sachiel.)

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

She wasn't glued right to Sachiel's hip but she wasn't very far off either. The salt and pepper girl was getting ready to turn back when the scent of Plant Boy flooded her nose. He was moving further away from the direction of the falls. Her face crinkled for a moment before she began to trot the path of his scent. It wouldn't hurt to check on him before she left.

The girl lingered back for a moment, examining the scene. There was an island off in the distance that was surrounded by this strangely large body of water. A soft woof left her as she moved closer. "Whatcha lookin' at?" Didn't seem like anything special. Was certainly no screaming monster or hill of bones.

Then it hit her.

Maybe all their adventures didn't need to be so spooky. An easy morning by the lake could be just as fine. Perhaps not as exciting or thrilling but those weren't the most important things about a trip.

It was all green-blue, like the shallows. It was warm, inviting, and filled his head with all his favourite colours. Truthfully, the boy could spend most (if not all) of his day lakeside. There was so much to see, so much to explore… maybe, if he was lucky, he could even find something to bring back for the pack. Just so they didn’t think he was completely useless. His knowledge of plants only went so far, as he didn’t have his father around to teach him anything new, so providing for the pack via food was his best option.

A voice pulled him away from his thoughts, his mismatched gaze seeking out the familiar shape behind him. Everything, he hummed in response, his tail wagging slowly behind him. Sachiel kept his colours to himself, aside from his obvious disdain toward the colour orange. He knew he saw things differently—it was why his memory was so good—and that others wouldn’t understand. Plus, he didn’t want Pumpkin Eyes to think he was some kind of freak. It’s so big!

that's what she said.

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

Her tail mimicked his own as she stopped by his side. Lucky for him her orange gaze was focused on the island in the distance. How he was looking at everything was unknown to her but a smile still tugged on her features.

She gave a small chuckle with harmless intentions. "Yeah. Wonder how far 'round it goes." Not that she was about to figure it out. The lake seemed like it would take all day to circle and that was really not how she wanted to spend her day. Hawthorne plopped down onto her rear, a huff leaving her. It really wasn't exciting but at least she had Plant Boy here.

"Ya think we could make it to the island?" A brow raised as she glanced at her tawny friend for a moment. Not today certainly for the snow was coming down but maybe when the white stuff went away again. Whenever that would be.

She didn’t seem as enthralled by the lake as he was, but Sachiel didn’t mind. It was no pile of bones or spooky forest, that was for sure. But, for now, it would do. It made his head feel less jumbled. There were a few bodies of water in the south, mostly rivers and ponds, so he was utterly fascinated by the lake. Not even Pumpkin Eyes’ lacklustre response could dampen his spirits. Won’t know unless we take a walk, he mused in response, flashing her a cheeky grin and a sharp wink as he poked at her shoulder with his nose. He was content just staring at the water and all the surrounding trees, but he did not know if his companion felt the same way. However, he was glad she had been snooping around the lake. Plant Boy had grown used to her company.

Me? Definitely, he started, his mismatched gaze falling onto the islands once more, You? I dono.  Like his greyscale friend, he wasn’t interested in jumping into the icy water—not today. I might let’cha win, he added with a shrug, his own hindquarters slumping down onto the sand. If you're lucky.

(This post was last modified: Nov 28, 2017, 12:49 AM by Sachiel.)

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

"Another day." She chimed with a soft smile. Maybe when they had permission for an extended adventure. Hawthorne had never been scolded for trips before but she certainly didn't want to find out if a trip around the lake would cause one. The thought of Askan being seriously mad at her - because his usual teasing grumpiness was normal by now - caused her to fight back a shiver. Terrifying.

She leaned over to shove her shoulder into his with a hard snort. "Like ya need to let me win!" A fit of laughter rolled forward as she paid her attention back to the island. "You'll be the lucky one if I let you win." Hawthorne would have made a bet and settle things now had the weather been better. Some smack talk would do for now, though.

The salt and pepper girl let out a yawn, the day was still young but regardless a nap sounded good right now. Which prompted a question to spring forth from her. "Whatcha wanna do today?"

Another day. He could live with that, even though his paws were vibrating at the thought of exploring the entirety of the shoreline. But, that could wait. It looked like a long way around, which meant the pair could be gone much longer than they planned for. Sachiel had been graciously accepted into the new pack and he wasn’t about to test his limits just yet. Not when he was still a stranger in these parts, and among half of his packmates.

Pffff! He stuck his tongue out at her, a crooked grin tugging at his dark lips as he dismissed her comment with a dramatic roll of his eyes. In your dreams, he taunted with another playful shove to her shoulder, his tail thumping against the ground. His legs were rather long, which meant he had a bit of an advantage, but he did not doubt that Pumpkin Eyes would be a formidable foe. She was tricksy, which meant she wasn’t afraid of playing dirty.

Her yawn snapped him back to reality and he wrinkled his brows in disbelief. It was morning! How was she tired?! Sachiel shrugged at her response, his expression soft. Personally, he was more than content just sitting at the water’s edge, observing, but he knew his peppered friend wouldn’t be interested in watching water. Not sure, he hummed, his ears twitching, you got anything in mind?

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

Little did her partner know that Hawthorne would never play him dirty. She was loyal to him and saw no reason to not let him win when it was deserved. Even if she thought sometimes she should have won.

Should we find something to bring home to the Edge? Don't think coming home with nothing will look too good for either of us. Hawthorne was also working to keep her place with the misfit crew. She liked to think that she was one of Askan's favorite but she knew that doing nothing but sucking up resources would make her lose that spot real quick.

She stood up and began to slowly walk around the shore. Maybe we could find fish. Or just something nice for the den. It was a shot in the dark but it was better than nothing.

There had to be something to keep the dynamic duo occupied, as the idea of exploring the shoreline only grew more appealing with every second that passed. However, he did not want to anger (or upset) his grumpy leaders, as they had graciously taken him in without asking him to prove his worth. And Sachiel wasn’t about to take that kindness for granted. No—he needed to show them that they hadn’t made a mistake in allowing him to join their group of misfits. Patrolling with Pumpkin Eyes couldn’t be his only skill, even if he thoroughly enjoyed it. He had to bring more to the pack, otherwise what good was he?

He nodded in agreement as he stepped away from the shore, finally dragging his mismatched gaze away from the serene sapphire water. Probably a good idea. Due to their age Sachiel felt as though they had to do a little bit more to prove their worth, especially since they had stumbled upon the grumpy couple without parents. Returning without a meal, or two, wouldn’t fair well for the cubs.

Wanna try fishin’ first? He suggested, his head tipping to the side as he started after the girl, his paws brushing against the edge of the lake. Maybe we can find something for the den on the way home, he added as he nipped at her hindquarters, an impish grin unfolding across his dark features as he padded toward the water, allowing the cool liquid to pool around his ankles. He had not had much experience with fishing but he would certainly try his best. Even if it was a small fish, it was still better than nothing…

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others