Turtleback Lake [BWP] It's no better to be safe than sorry

Namir would not have blamed Blue Eyes for his lack of faith – she hardly had any in herself. What’s more, she didn’t have much in complete strangers, either. She was grateful the man didn’t question (or worse, argue with her), but he was given a nod at most. Effusive praise was well beyond her style.

Once they were both soaked from nose to toes, she slunk back to a sandy, muddy patch not too far from Elias’. It wasn’t completely ideal, but it was summer, they were on a lake, and sand was just part of that. It would do the trick, it just wouldn’t last as long. She wasn’t really sure why that made her a little sad, but. It did.

Oh well. That would pass.

Dropping first to her knees, and then all the way down, Namir lowered her body into the moist earth and began to roll. First was her sides, and then her back, legs sticking straight up and waving wildly as she wriggled back and forth, careful to coat every last in she could. When she stood, she was a dark, grungy brown – no longer the tawny shrike she’d been before. She grinned. “See? Don’t smell like nothin’ but lake whater now,” she whispered. “Guess this is it, though. I’ll ah…be seein’ you, I guess.”

And then she paused, looking thoughtful for a moment before walking over to boop their noses in the briefest touch. “Smell ya later, Blue Eyes. Hah!”

Not a bad pun, that one. Not at all.

It was gross. Elias knew that his aunts wouldn't approve, that both Jen and Raina would've yanked at his ear if they saw how much of a mess he'd made. But it was a necessary evil, he would much rather trot home looking as though he'd fallen into a bog than lose a couple more toes. He was sure the other Vigil wolves would understand anyway...and let him clean himself off once he got back home.

He rolled and tossed himself back and forth till he was thoroughly caked in mud. He bet he almost looked like  a Selwyn now, all brown and muddy. Shame he couldn't really do anything about his size and eye colour, oh well.

Clambering to his feet again, Elias had to bite his lip to resist the urge to shake himself off. It felt gross and heavy but she was right, Elias couldn't catch her scent and he imagined the same could be said for himself. For a little while at least they would be invisible, almost.

So it seemed as though it was time to part, he didn't want her to go but try as he might he couldn't come up with a reason for her to stay. She probably had better places to be, not to mention there were coyotes loitering around. Ah well, maybe they would meet again someday. He opened his mouth to say goodbye, only to recieve a little boop on his nose. He stood there, mouth agape, dumfounded as her joke reached his ears. Oh no, she was cute!! Unable to stop himself he tipped his head back and laughed, loud and earnest. Good one!

"Yeah! Bye!"

And then she was gone... and he hadn't even gotten her name.

Fade