Secret Falls Take The Plunge

For pretty @Pietro
Territory Discovery: Drake's Plunge
(61.43877, 52.03125)
Near the base of Mount Dire, where stubborn shrubs and shrunken trees start to grip at the rocky ground, meltwater all the way from the mountain summit has gathered to form a mighty cataract. In late spring, the rapids here become so massive that their force tears into the bedrock, digging a continuously steeper path towards the woods below. On the banks, jagged rocks bear witness of this colossal strength, even when the waters subside, poking out like teeth in a mighty jaw. But visitors must beware, for even the lowest waters here hold a deadly undercurrent, ready to drag any careless animal with it into the mountain depths.
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You would think he had gotten enough of the mountains after the escapades in his puppy year, but the bluffs still had their allure to the young Aegina. Once he’d finished reminiscing in Kingsfall, the boy had started moving south, taking his time to explore old haunts. The lake especially was a welcome sight, a truly beautiful place; He understood his father’s decision to relocate here. But, despite his affinity for the water, the Captain was once more drawn to the mountain. His previous experiences in the heights had been less than pleasant, and yet, climbing the rocky slopes beyond the Surge’s borders, filled his heart with a strange elation. It was reliving his childhood adventures, getting back into that sense of daring that he’d always chased so feverishly. It seemed so silly now, and yet, a broad grin adorned his face at the reenactment. He followed the waterways beyond the Driftwood waterfall - hardly more than trickles this time of year - but still cutting a clear path further up into the pass. The snow lay heavy here, making the ascent even more challenging; But that’s the point, innit? He’d conquered the mountain already as a pup, so what was the fun in simply retracing those steps? No, he was here for new adventures, even more daring than the last. So when he reached a fork in the river, the broader arm continuing up the open mountain side as it leveled out, he chose to turn and follow the smaller one down the much steeper eastern slope. Here, the light stream of water rushed quickly, dipping and skipping in deep crevices between jagged rocks. To follow it, the young wolf had to jump these large gaps and ballance on the sharp edges, just one miss-step threatening a deadly plunge; Now this is a course worthy of a dragon! Word Count: 309 Thoughts "Speech"

Skudde-Textures @DA

He had been part of the Edge for a mere three days now, but already he felt more at home than he had with anyone from the Vale or the Scowle... though those two were essentialy just the same wolves. The shade had wandered from the borders that day in the hope that he would find some herbs at the base of the mountain. They would be different than the herbs around the Falls, and since Shallow’s Edge had basically given him nothing to work with in the medicinal department, he had to go off and find his own herbs. They were necessary, after all.

Pietro had just wandered up the mountainside a bit when the sound of rushing water caught his attention. Oh - perhaps there would be herbs on the riverbank! He made his way carefully over toward the sound, but was completely unprepared for what he would find.

Did that big idiot down there think this was a game?! He could get killed!

”Hey!” he barked unwisely, running up to the edge and actually climbing one of the jagged rocks on his own. ”What are you doing out there?!” He hoped the other wolf wouldn’t hear his voice crack. Because it sure as hell did.

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

His heart beat loudly with exhilaration as he leaped from rock to rock, paws splashing up freezing water in his wake. Jagged edges and slippery surfaces meant little to the daredevil Captain, their danger only serving to further the thrill. He’d grown into quite a skilled mountaineer, always looking for the most daring path through even the most difficult terrain. Really, this was nothing, though someone else seemed to disagree, an angry voice ringing out between the rock right as he made his next jump. Kyrios’ head swivelled in midair, ears perking curiously as his eyes landed on the stranger. Then his paws connected with icy rock and he had to look down, grinding his teeth as he tried to gain footing on the slick surface. For a moment he slid along the polished, wet stone before coming to a halt, teetering on a fiercely, sharp edge. As soon as he was sure of his position, he looked over his shoulder again, no hint of shock or anger on his face as he eyed the darker wolf questioningly. Clearly the little show hadn’t done anything to calm the lad, more heated words leaving his maw, raining down on larger wolf among the rocks. Kyrios just smiled cheekily, waving an ear at the tense bloke; Wonder what’s happened to get him in such a twist? He looked like he was about to keel over in horror, a tiny, dark ball of rage. “Just livin’ life, mate!” The pale boy called back cheerfully, tail giving a pleasant wave; “Ye’ should try it sometime!” Golden eyes twinkled, continuing to watch the shadowy figure with ill-masked amusement, waiting for his response. Word Count: 277 Thoughts "Speech"

Skudde-Textures @DA

A strange accent, but not completely out of the norm from the thick voices of most Archers (he himself had been blessed with a sense of normalcy to his tone, and he was completely and utterly grateful for it.) But this wolf had a nice lilt to his tone as well, and Pete couldn’t quite stay so shocked. Sovanna was the same way, after all.

Huh. Now he was urging Pietro to try something a bit crazy as well, as Sovie had often done. He was normally quite easy to rope in - case in point, he was now a citizen of the Lore. Still, this seemed a bit... precarious.

”You sure about that?” he called over to the larger yearling, carefully making his way over to stand atop one of the large rocks that adorned this gorge. ”What if we both fall in? What’ll we do then?” he asked rhetorically, hesitantly but nimbly making his way across the jagged stones to reach a point where he could look at the boy a bit closer up. ”I hope you’re capable of hauling my ass out of the water if I do slip.” He was kind of cute, okay? Regardless of the fact that the impending breeding season was completely repulsive to the teen, he was allowed to tease hot, daring boys he found at the river.

So sue him.

And lo and behold, the lithe boy stepped out into the trickle of water. Cautiously, sure, moving a lot slower between the rocks than Kyrios had, but it was something. The first question received only a wink in answer, as golden eyes continued to trail the shadowy figure’s wary progress. But when he spoke again, the paler wolf grinned fiercely; “We’ll drink damnation!” His voice rang steady, almost fervent at the prospect, still echoing between the rocks as he turned back towards the drop. Briefly surveying the terrain, tail still waving pleasantly, he took another leap, landing securely, several feet below. Only when the stranger called out again, did he look back up, tilting his head slightly at the dark lad. He was a curious thing, shorter than any grown wolf he’d ever met, yet they seemed to be the same age. A few sniffs told him the other was certainly closer to adult than pup, but even so, his smaller size made him appear a little stunted. Still, he was not bad looking, his fur a pleasant gradient of black and brown, but most striking were the eyes, an almost polar opposite of Kyrios’ treasure-gold; Now squinting slightly at the other boy. “Aye, A’ think A’ can manage a dwt like ye,” he answered with a small laugh, waving an ear as if in challenge; “Bu’ we ain’t gonna know ‘til we try, eh?” And then he was off again, further down the daunting plunge at even greater speed, occasionally looking back, to check if the little fellow was keeping up. Word Count: 262 Thoughts "Speech"

Skudde-Textures @DA

Miraculously, Pete wasn’t having a hard time keeping up with the bigger male, hopping across the jagged rocks and managing to get to the one right beside his. It was a good thing Pete fancied himself part lynx. Grace was one of his strongest qualities, so this really didn’t pose much of a challenge. It was more the golden-eyed boy before him that he was worried about.

”What’s a dwt?” he questioned, tipping his head to the side and leaping onto the rock that his new companion was perched on. Standing closer, they actually weren’t that much different in size. It was nice not to feel like a complete shrimp beside someone...

Who was unfortunately more handsome up close.

Shit.

Still, an amused grin spread across his face. ”And what does damnation taste like anyway? Brimstone and fire?” he queried, his tail swaying just so behind him to both keep him balanced and express that he was actually having fun.

He was even brazen enough to leap to the next rock before the tawny boy.

He sure was fast, Kyrios would give him that, and quite agile too, taking on the challenge with gusto despite his initial reservations. The Captain grinned broadly as his new companion caught up with him, shaking his head lightly at the question. “A wee feller’, like ye’!” He answered, voice full of mirth. Standing side by side like this, there really wasn’t much difference, though the dark lad was more slender and sleek in build, while Kyrios had build up a more brawny layer of muscle over his time in Ered Luin. Still, that extra ear of height made golden eyes look down into silvers, and that was enough for him to justify the term. Then it was the shadow’s turn to call over his shoulder, as he took the lead in their dangerous game, causing Kyrios to laugh in ernest. “Damned if A’ know!” He called back, setting off to land beside the brunette once more; “And A’ ain’t about t’ find out just yet!” This was far too much fun to let such a boring thing as death break it up. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d adventured with somebody, and certainly not an age mate. But here was the chance: There was spunk in this the guy, so quickly throwing caution to the wind, and that cheeky smile looked damn good on him too. So the pale youth nudged his shoulder against the other’s, giving his muzzle a jerk towards the woods below; “C’mon, I’ll race ye’! Le’see how fast those stubby legs can move!” And he jumped again, barely bothering to look before he went. Despite his big talk, he was pretty sure he needed all the head start he could get, to beat the slighter boy; And no way I’m gonna lose! Word Count: 298 Thoughts "Speech"

Skudde-Textures @DA

Pete looked dramatically affronted by the insinuation that he was tiny, but he was used to that type of treatment. So, instead of arguing, he just scoffed and lashed his tail as he caught his balance on another stone. ”Keep talking like that and I’ll make sure you taste damnation far faster than I do!” he teased with a bit more of a daring wink. What could more shameless flirting hurt?

Maybe Sovie was onto something when she did all that stupid shit. Or... maybe she would have been if she was doing that aforementioned stupid shit with a beautiful, golden eyed boy. But he wasn’t even sure if Sovanna liked boys - Pete had always fancied both genders, as long as the connection was more emotional than physical. As such, this season disgusted him. This was a much more pleasant way to spend his day than drowning in that horrible scent that women of age let out.

It was gross.

’I’ll race ye’!’ Oh, a challenge, eh? That was unexpected, but not unwelcomed. The lighter-furred wolf was off like a shot, and Pete was right on his tail, only sliding a bit when his paws hit a slick spot every now and again. He brushed his flank across the stranger’s as he passed him up, using his size to his advantage. Any anxiety he had felt about this adventure was gone by that point, anyway.

He was having fun, like a normal teenager, for the first time in ages.

Kyrios laughed heartily at the dark lads backtalk, looking back into his mercury eyes with a glimmer in his own treasure golds. It had taken a bit of coaxing out, but it seemed he had found a kindred spirit in the age mate, and for that he was grateful. While he’d never felt the express need growing up, it was true that he had always been without friends of his own age and gender, and though he cared for his sisters deep and fiercely, there was undeniably something different about this, a taste of genuine friendship. With a broad smile on his face, the Captain raced down the Plunge, skidding on wet rock here and there, but never slowing, using his vast, fluffy tail to keep balanced. They neared the treeline quickly, crippled cedars and gnarly shrubbery beginning to dot the rugged banks of their deadly highway. The pale wolf paid them little attention though, as he could hear the competition fresh on his heels, paw falls splashing in the low water; Damned he’s fast! It wasn’t long before they were flank to flank, the harsh terrain making this exercise even more precarious, but neither of the boys willing to give way to the other. Kyrios laughed again, nudging his shoulder against the others playfully, perhaps a little too forcefully for the situation, and made another mad leap, aiming for a very pointy rock near the wall of the waterway. Dull claws scraped against the stone as he scrappled for purchase, his tail dancing a jig in the air to keep him from falling. At least this rock was dry, a blessing as its sides were steeply slanted, making it plenty hard to keep his footing already. While he struggled, the dark form streaked by like black lightning, continuing ahead triumphantly. The larger wolf snorted in displeasure, giving his delicate perch a firm set-off as he moved to pursue the competitor; Only, rather than pushing himself forwards, the force made the cliff slip beneath him, stone loosening from stone as a rain of smaller and large rocks tumbled from the riverside and continued down the falls. “Watch’it!” Was all he managed to call out, before he tilted, rather ungraciously, into the shallow water, legs beating pathetically in the air for a few moments until he managed to tilt unto his side and free his face so he could breathe. But despite the winter low, there was a fierce current in the water, and already it was starting to pull at him, dragging across the rocky bottom, towards the next plummet. Word Count: 430 Thoughts "Speech"

Skudde-Textures @DA

(This post was last modified: May 15, 2018, 11:12 PM by Kyrios.)