Shroud of the Lost boiling point

It's been so humid recently it feels like breathing through a wet leaf, you better find somewhere to cool down!
@Matos - set at the future den site

Nori had been busying herself with mapping out the territory, and that was her intention for the day, but with how hot it was today, there was just no way it was going to happen. Today was a day for napping in the shade and swimming in the river, trying to avoid roasting alive.

So that was where she was now.

The shallow eddy near what would hopefully become their future densite was the perfect place to wade out. The water barely came up to the middle of her legs, and she could roll to her heart's content. It was nice and cool, too, and she was more than happy to indulge herself for just a little while. Even if it made her look kind of like a drowned rat afterward, fur plastered to her frame, but much cooler than she'd been just moments before.

(This post was last modified: Nov 17, 2024, 03:48 AM by Viorel.)

They had settled on a new home along the bend of a river. It was pretty and different than the mountain. The forest almost felt suffocating to the young man. Today especially...the humidity clung in the air, being held in by the close vegetation. No wide open valley or staggering peaks for the wind to sweep between to cool them off. His coral tongue hung from his onyx maw as he tried to cool himself off, despite it feeling like he was breathing through a wet leaf - ick.

Two-toned eyes roamed over what was to become their new home as the eldest Eastfall-Slayer tried to figure out how to cool down. Finally the bubbling of the stream registered and he redirected himself to it. It seemed like he wasn't the only one with the need to escape the heat. The tawny frame of his cousin came into view, wading out into the shallow nook of the river. The shallowness caused the water to only come up midway to her legs. He approached the water's edge as Nori unexpectedly rolled in the pool. His dark fluffy audits perked at the sudden movement and Matty attempted to stifle a laugh when she emerged, her fur plastered to her frame.

His attempt failed, but the smile on his face wasn't a mocking one. Mat's fluffy banner waved easily at his hocks as he dipped his front feet in the water. Its coolness was a much needed relief. "That's the idea of the year." He beamed. He hadn't gotten to interact much with his cousin during the trek as she was out scouting ahead but hoped to be able to now.

There's the idea of the year.

Nori jumped a hair at the sudden approach, but quickly settled into a more relaxed posture, tail swishing back and forth. It was a little embarrassing, being caught acting so childishly, but hey. It didn't seem like Matos was judging her too harshly, which was a welcome change from what she might've expected from the guardian. It wasn't fair to him to assume like she had, but she'd been far too nervous to approach the majority of her family - a fear of rejection and knowing she'd done something wrong accumulating into extreme avoidance.

But he didn't seem angry, or judgmental, or like he wanted to chase her out, so those were all good things.

"Seemed a better idea than roasting," she said with a smile, her own tail wagging. "It's been way too hot out recently."

I am so sorry about the wait! <3

Dark audits flicked back as the elder cousin jumped in surprise. He hadn't been trying to sneak up on her. However, he relaxed as soon as she did. He had heard what happened between her and Eclypse, but had also seen the injuries on his cousin. Ones that were no way self inflicted...He didn't feel like it was fair to shun her as Magg did, Nori was still family. Without him being there to witness what happened the young man was not going to pass judgement.

A small chuckle was released at her comment. It was indeed better than roasting. He waded out to join her at the deepest part of the shallow pool. "It really has been. It wasn't like this on the mountain." He replied his voice quieting a bit as he looked down at the water. He missed it but knew it was better overall for everyone.

Dual colored eyes blinked a few times to shake to shadow from his thoughts as he looked back to his cousin. A sly smile graced his inky lips moments before he unceremoniously flopped into the water sending it flying all around.

It really hadn't been like this on the mountain. Higher altitudes were cooler, even at this time of year, she supposed. Still, she was glad to be far from those peaks - even if it was hotter, she'd take that over the risk of falling anyday, though she knew some of the other mountain wolves wouldn't echo her sentiment.

She'd been about to ask if he missed it already - if he wanted to go back - when Matos promptly flopped down into the water and sent a wave crashing over her head. Nori, taken aback for a moment, could only stare, blinking owlishly at the younger wolf.

And then her maw split in a smile.

"Oh, it's on," she growled playfully, standing up and leaping into the water near him, aiming to soak him in return.

The absence of the mountain left a phantom hole in the dark Eastfall-Slayer. He knew it was the best move for his family, but that didn’t satiate him. The heat just solidified more for the man that the mountain was better and called to his soul. He was born from the mountain and very well may always miss it. Matos though would follow his family to the ends of the earth before he satisfied his own preference.

Matty pulled himself from his moment of sadness just in time to avoid having to talk about it. His flop sent a perfect surge of water right over his older cousin’s head, drenching further. Her wide-eyed expression pulled a rare hearty laugh from his inky maw. How long had it been since he truly had an undampened fun time?

Her challenge was met with a playful growl of his own. His eye’s gleaming with his own challenge. “Bring it” he laughed. Nori’s soaked frame emerged from the water as she moved to return the favor. The younger cousin leapt up to avoid the return surge. The deeper part of the pool made it difficult for him to move quickly. Mat was instantly hit with the return fire and soaked completely. His momentum carried him to a shallower part of the pool where he looked like a drowned rat. He refused the urge to shake the water from his pelt as he leapt once more towards his cousin. He aimed to knock her back into the water. The coolness was a much needed reprieve.