Willow Ridge dedicating every day to you

Fishing lesson for the kiddos and any other WR wolves who want to join in. (: @Nineve @Daegal @Iseldir @Avella

With the return of the water, life had been brought back to the creek that wound adjacent to the Ridge. Animals and vegetation both dwelled along its banks once more, and fish darted with the current. In the shade of one of their great willow trees, barely-visible clouds of insects fed a great gathering of perch. They had scattered when Hagar's shadow first appeared, but as he hovered upon the grass they eventually grew comfortable with his presence.

It was a perfect opportunity to teach the children, and so he barked out, loud enough for the sound to travel a bit of distance. If they were about, he had something to show them. Knowing his kids, he was pretty sure they wouldn't keep him waiting long and would be pleased with the proffered activity.

Since the water had returned to the land the forest had come back to life. There towards the end of the drought it had become a very sad place to be. The plants had shriveled and died. Even the willows had started to show signs of the toll the drought was taking on them. In the past weeks the plants and trees had started to come back but the biggest indication that things were getting better was the creek had returned to its original state.

It was from this direction that the sound of Hagars voice called from. She wondered what the Chocolate man had in store for them that day. She called out to her children to come with her to meet with the hunter.

Daegal had noticed the change in the world around him but hadn't spent much time investigating the standing water. Last time he did, a snake had attacked him and his mom had had to come running to his rescue. He didn't want any part of that event happening ever again. He didn't want mom to get hurt, for one, and he just didn't trust water anymore. Moving water wasn't so bad, though. He didn't go in it still, but he was less worried about a surprise bursting forth to hurt him.

He heard Hagar's voice carry on the air, and then mom was beckoning for them to follow her. He jumped to his feet to follow. Hagar always had something fun for them! Other than his own mother, Hagar was the nicest to them and Dae was always excited to see him.

Hagar's voice echoed out amongst the willows, breaking the quiet. The boy's ears snapped to attention. Then his mother's call, beckoning them to her. Iseldir was not far off, away beneath the sheltering trees, and gave his own bark in answer before hurrying off toward them.

It was Daegal he found first. He ran to his brother's side with a bump of his shoulder, sharing in the excitement as they hurried after Avella. His tail was waving happily over his back. Lately, their family activities had been introducing more and more new things, and Izzy could hardly wait to see what was in store today.

The lands had livened up again once more, something which Eve had not quite realized at first. Eve had not understood in her young age that they had been in a drought. Didn't know what a drought was. Now that the lands were teeming with water once more, Eve was growing to like her home far better. Willow Ridge had creeks and streams running through it, fed from the lagoon to the west. A forest, yet quite open and plenty of room to run.

That is what she had been doing when the call sounded. Romping through the lush greens after squirrels she could never catch. When Hagar called for her, followed by her mother, Eve (reluctantly at first) stopped her tormenting of the squirrels (or was it the other way around??) and heeded the call. After all, Hagar had got them white squirrel, water and marmot... maybe he had something else exciting to share!

Moving south of the dens and to the creek, she woofs out to her family which had gathered there. "Hey..." She greeted, a happy grin on her mug.

(This post was last modified: Oct 14, 2022, 02:23 AM by Nineve.)

Hagar remained standing in the shallow water, still all over except for his head as he turned it to the sound of Avella and the children approaching. He smiled toothily, but otherwise did not greet them, not even with a wag of his tail. The fish, small but still nutrient-rich, swam about his legs and some even came to nibble at his dark fur.

Rather than use words, he motioned toward the water to draw their attention to what dwelled beneath its surface. The flashes of light off their scales should suffice in catching their eyes, their movement explanation enough for instinct to recognize.

"We can catch them," he at last spoke, softly, quietly, "but prey like this are a challenge."

It wasn't at all the same as cave-blinded fish trapped in a small pool.

(This post was last modified: Mar 13, 2023, 12:02 AM by Hagar.)

Avella quickly made her way toward Hagars call with the children in tow. Avella was pleased that Hagar had taken such a role in the children's lives. He was always so good with them which the Matriarch couldn't help but tuck that away for later.

When she arrived she found Hagar standing in the shallow parts of the water. She found it a little odd that he didn't greet them but at the same time he seemed preoccupied by something in the water. Then he spoke explaining things to them.

"You've found some fish," she said with a smile in the same tones he'd used. "Tgis will be fun children. Make sure you are as quiet as possible," she instructed.