The Wellspring portraiture and the human form

Loach was stunned, even if it may have felt...obvious. Or was that pretentious to think? Maybe he had figured that Clouse liked him because he liked Clouse.

Yet he only smiled warmly, pulled the man a bit closer for a moment. Enjoyed this for what it was instead of plunging into waters too deep, too fast.

Alright, but stick close. Warned with warmth, as he took the first few steps forward. Don't wanna lose you... Mumbled with a bit more mushy heart than he cared for, but his tail still swayed behind him in betrayal of his neutral features.

First one to find the...coolest thing...wins? It felt childish, it felt right.

Clouse smiled, and couldn't help but let out a soft, playfully lilted "awww," at the sentiment Loach expressed. He bumped shoulders with the other wolf fondly at the same time, and then they were on the move again. He didn't much mind maintaining proximity, even if it meant covering a bit less ground. As enthusiastic and eager about exploring the webwork of falls as the young Archer was, time with Loach still remained the priority.

His dark ears perked at the vague challenge, toothy grin the first indication that he was definitely down for it.

"You're on," he answered, picking up the pace to get a few strides ahead and throwing an amiably-competitive smirk over his sooty shoulder. Once again, it felt all but certain that they were in for a grand afternoon.