Velo en Cascada oh, ms. believer

tag for @Lilya because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but all welcome
ALSO A RE CUZ WHY NOT
The Lore experiences a bout of unseasonably warm weather.

The ghost had taken his own advice and ventured south, poking his nose around the land that the Pines pack used to claim. Their scents were so faint that there was no doubt that the group had disbanded—but why? Curiosity fuelled his long legs as he maneuvered through the trees, skirting the edge of the falls. Truthfully, he was grateful for their disbandment. It meant there was more land for him to explore, which led to more places for him to acquire plants for the infirmary. His lips curled at the thought. Since the unexpected deaths of two of their founding members, Hearthwood had not suffered anymore fatalities or illnesses. He hoped that this luck would carry on into the spring and summer, but he liked being over-stocked, just in case. Despite the river wolves lacking in the puppy department this year, Lachesis still wanted to have the necessary herbs available in case any of the neighbouring packs needed anything from them.

Following the stream west of the falls, Lachesis snuffed around the water’s edge, searching for anything of interest. He hoped to bump into a former Pines wolf, to figure out what had happened to them, but with how faint the scents were, it seemed unlikely. He rolled his shoulders at the thought, dismissing it.

As the roar of the falls grew fainter behind him, the healer stumbled upon a smaller cascade of water. His steps slowed as he approached the stone wall, chartreuse gaze narrowing as he studied the peculiar sight. The weather had warmed up just enough to free the water from its icy chamber, although the edges of the stream were still frozen where the water met land. Spring worked with a feverish haste to remove the lingering effects of winter on the Lore. Soon the snow would be a thing of the past.

stick with those who stick with you

With March falling around them and Kisla’s intensified behavior, Lilya found herself eagerly taking up scouting missions to look for more potential members via Lachesis’s suggestion to her not that long ago. The agouti woman had not been successful, but at this point she was desperate to stay out of the pack territory and she was not entirely sure why. The breeze on her pelt was just a painful reminder that Spring was coming around – the worst time of the year, in her opinion, with so much uncertainty about when Winter would finally finish fading away and what Spring would even bring.

Their numbers were fading, and she felt that desperation too – the need to strengthen them before one of their neighbors realized how small they were. She’d seen and suffered from it before, and she wouldn’t be overly shocked if that threat returned again. She’s failing to see or smell anything apart from herself, like her senses were numb and it almost scared her. Still, she carried on, the blue-eyed sparrow carefully creeping around the falls. She felt this itching deep in her bones and she didn’t know what it was about. Her own fears had suppressed it last year, and with them fading, her confidence starting to grow, and the assurance that she wasn’t being hunted… it was like it was full force.

Lachesis. His scent fell across the area, and her eyes scanned around, her tail lowering and tucking as she tried to figure out where he was. "Lach?" Her call was hesitant... she really hoped he didn't think she just stalked him all the time, because these encounters truly were that of chance.

MUAHHAHAHAA

He was avoiding the Kingswood. Despite spring bringing warmer temperatures and an abundance of fresh herbs, the ghost was not fond of the season. Becoming a father last spring had been done out of necessity for the pack and now, despite wanting to see the pack flourish, he wanted nothing to do with breeding season this year. Kisla had grown restless in the days leading up to March and had developed a bad case of wandering paws, so XIX was keen on steering clear of her. When she was lurking inside the borders he would venture south, or west, but when she had crossed over the borders Lachesis would remain at the river, scouting the borders and monitoring the pack.

The ghost had slunk behind the falling water, allowing the cold water to spill over his back as he climbed into the small cave. A soft, crooked smile collapsed onto his pale maw as he settled down on the damp stone. It was the perfect place to avoid the hormone-fuelled females of Hearthwood and neighbouring packs. Now, if he could stay here until the season was over…

With the sound of rushing water drowning out his surroundings, Lachesis had not noticed the arrival of his blue-eyed friend until his name rolled off her tongue. However, once he was alerted of her presence, the ghost was overwhelmed by her. All of a sudden she was too close, even though she was still out of view. Her scent flooded his senses, causing his head to spin. With a heavy sigh XIX gave his head a quick shake, trying to rid himself of her before poking his head out from behind the water. “You followin’ me, Val?” He teased, the words falling before he could stop himself. 

stick with those who stick with you

You followin’ me, Val? The question rang through the air as she turned, an instinctive snarl on her features and from the depths of her throat, a snarl she hadn’t used since her days fighting, before she forced herself to hold it back. She reminded herself of who this was. This wasn’t a stranger. This was Lach. What was wrong> with her? Was she sick? Did she need a doctor? Was that why she felt so drawn to him as soon as she caught his scent, because she associated it with herbs and medicine and the medic that he was? She wasn’t sure, but she felt her heart start to race, a few hesitant steps back. The tease, his tease… why had she reacted the way that she had? He’d probably hate her for it! Or at the very least a part of their friendship would take a hit because there was no reason for it!

Instinct made her tail wag softly; trying to return to her normal nature, not entirely aware of the fact that it just worked to further spread her scent. She felt lost; defensive… she should go, before she ended up attacking him or something! She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she hurt a friend. “I—nah… Ah was jus’… Ah was lookin’…” Why was she stammering? Why couldn’t she think straight and why did she sound so confused and lost. Sure, she felt that way, but she always felt that way. “Ya told me to go lookin’ an’… Kisla she’s…” Why was she doing this? Why was she more skittish? It hadn’t even seemed possible. This itch wasn’t going away and she considered the fact that she should leave… like… now…

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

that's my fav gif rip me
also what have u done to me

As soon as the words left his mouth Lachesis regretted them. He was met with an unexpected snarl from the agouti, causing the ghost to take several steps back, his ears flattening against the back of his skull. It was cut short, however, once her blue eyes landed on him. XIX watched with concern etched across his face as she took a step back, his lips tightening into a thin line. Perhaps something was causing her to act out of character—a virus, or something.

Or, maybe it was just spring and Lilya had succumbed to the change in season.

Shit.

There was no running. XIX did not want to upset her by fleeing, especially after the reaction he had gotten. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel guilty for something she could not control. The ghost waved his tail apologetically, his features softening as she began to speak, words stumbling out of her mouth. Although confused at what she was trying (keyword: trying) to spit out, Lachesis remained quiet, allowing her to finish her explanation. Concern began to gnaw at his stomach and before he could stop himself Lachesis was stepping out from behind the cascade of water, his apple-green gaze focused on her tawny frame. Her scent was suffocating yet intoxicating and he desperately wanted to be anywhere but here, but he couldn’t leave her. Not while she was like this. He worried that another wolf would find her and that thought alone made his skin crawl. “Lookin’ for what?” He asked once he stopped, leaving space between the two of them, his head angled to the side. His brows had narrowed at the mention of Kisla. “Are you okay, Val? Did something happen?”

Why did he suddenly feel so protective over her? The thought caused his throat to tighten.

Shit.

The ghost remained fixed to the spot, waiting (im)patiently for her response. Kisla was rather… intimidating at this time of the year, especially at the helm of the pack. Perhaps something had happened between the two that XIX was unaware of. He frowned, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from falling. 

stick with those who stick with you

A monster that's created another monster... still no regrets

She should leave – get out of here as soon as possible… but her feet remained glued to the ground where she stood, unable to move, and it wasn’t out of fear or anxiety… she didn’t know what it was… she felt overwhelmed. He stepped out from the waterfall, that familiar light emerald gaze that she’d grown to know over the past several months. Lokkin’ for what? She didn’t know! Why did he keep asking her these questions? Why couldn’t she answer or think coherently? She knew she knew the answer, it just wasn’t articulating properly. It was like an itch she couldn’t shake, and it was annoying and she just wanted it gone.

Are you okay, Val? Did something happen? His head angled to the side and she shook her head. “Ah don’t know.” Something didn’t feel right, but it wasn’t a physical thing… or maybe it was. “She’s been irritable… not th’Kisla…” Not the Kisla she knew. Not the Kisla who’d taken back her throne because Lilya had felt uncomfortable and unprepared for the crown herself… but she couldn’t finish her thoughts, her icy blue eyes travelling around as she remembered he’d asked another question before that. “Lookin’ fer recruits… to strengthen th’numbers.” At least she’d managed to get one thought out forrectly.

“What’s happenin’ ta me, Lach? I feel…” She didn’t even know how to describe what it was she was feeling in that moment, the mix of emotions and the churning in her stomach that was all but unpleasant. He was a healer, so he’d know what it was, right? Her tone sounded desperate as her eyes locked on him.

Concerned weighed heavily on his shoulders as he studied the agouti, his legs firmly rooted to his spot beside the falling water. Under normal circumstances, the series of questions that had spilled from his mouth would not have been unusual or bothersome. But it appeared that Lilya was also irritable, whether she wanted to admit it or not. He could not blame her—or Kisla—for their actions. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do to stop it, either. His frown only deepened as his tongue rested, his chartreuse gaze focusing on everything but his the blue-eyed sparrow. He did nod, hesitantly, at her delayed response—lookin’ for recruits—despite remaining tight-lipped. The thought of her being out, alone, looking for others made his skin crawl.

But why did he care. She was looking for recruits… nothing to be worried about. Right?

Her question lulled him out of his head, causing his tongue to become suddenly dry. Suddenly he wished to be anywhere but here. “I-It’s, uh…” he stuttered, his eyes still not focusing on the sparrow. Was this actually happening, he thought glumly to himself, swallowing hard before continuing with his (lame) explanation. “It’s spring.” He did not know what else to say. While having two children of his own, Lachesis was still the awkward mess of a teenager he had been when he first arrived in the Lore. Explaining what was causing Lilya to feel so out of sorts was not on his to-do list. “D-Do you want to go home, Val? We c-can go scouting t-tomorrow, if you’re feelin’ b-better,” he suggested, unable to stop the words from fumbling off his tongue. He stepped forward, this time not stopping, as he nudged her shoulder with his nose.

He should not have gotten so close. The spot where his nose brushed her fur was red hot, his skin flushing crimson beneath his white fur. Immediately he took several steps back, his ears whipping back as he waited for the fire. 

stick with those who stick with you

-screams-

Her heart felt like it was racing, like she’d just run nonstop for an entire week, and her skin was flushed and hot to the touch underneath her fur. It felt like that annoying itch in the back of her head, the one that she wasn’t sure why it existed, was growing. Her first heat, last spring, had been so mild and suppressed that she hadn’t noticed it… and so when he explained, she still did not understand completely because this hadn’t happened to her the year previous. Why was she craving his presence, and his touch? Why wasn’t she just being herself? These were the questions she wanted to ask but couldn’t.

He started to stumble and approach, her lip starting to curl upwards for a moment, her tail raising like a banner until he touched her shoulder… and it was like nothing else mattered… something which should have terrified her. It wasn’t until he started to back up with his suave nicknames and caring nature that she started to snarl at him. Snarling at him for getting too far away from her as she felt a certain level of possessiveness start to bubble in her chest… Somewhere deep down she knew exactly why she felt this way, but it’d been buried with everything else that might be happy in her life.

“Please, take me home, Lach.” She pleaded softly, those hints of desperation having a slight twinge to them, and it was clear she was talking about something completely different than the home she had assumed he was referring to.

(This post was last modified: Mar 04, 2017, 03:23 AM by Lilya.)

i aM THE SHIP

He knew that she had good intentions, venturing south of Hearthwood into the lands previous claimed by the fallen Pines pack. But he did not want her out here—not like this. Not alone. He dismissed the thought with a quick shake of his tail, his brows narrowing. What did it matter, whether she was out here alone or not? They were friends, completely platonic. There was nothing harbouring beneath the surface, right?

Another snarl came from the agouti, but this time it was because he had stepped away from her. He blinked, dumbfounded by the sparrow’s reaction. XIX had thought his close proximity would have earned a snarl, not the other way around. His tail drooped. The ghost was utterly incapable of doing anything right.

As he stepped forward, resuming his previous position, she answered him. No, pleaded with him. He stiffened, his chartreuse gaze focused on the blue-eyed wolf. Home, yes, that was exactly where she needed to go. Not out here—not where she was vulnerable to wolves who were not as kind as he was. Who would not hesitate in taking advantage of her current state. Truthfully, he did not want her out of his sight until March was over, but he knew the fiery sparrow would have something to say about that.

Without another word filling up the space between them he nudged her shoulder once more, coaxing her to follow him north with a sharp nip. He refused to return to Hearthwood without her, even if the blue-eyed sparrow was wary of Kisla. There were ways of keeping them separated. 

stick with those who stick with you