Lost Lake the righteous side of hell

for @Chan
backdated to 02.22.21 | afternoon | few clouds | -9.4°F, -23°C

Returning once again from another scouting trip through the Heart, he was quick to find his way to the nearest watering spot along one of the small creeks that led away from the mountain lake. Many animals tended to use this spot that Chan once broke apart for his mother when she first returned to the Lake. Aleister made an effort to continue to keep the opening free of ice and debris. He had to keep breaking it open every day in order to do so, but it was worth having a spot that was easily accessible for anyone to quench their thirst. However, the recent icy grip Winter help over the Lore closed the hole up even stronger than before, making it difficult to break through this time.

 

Chan crossed the tree line and spotted Aleister at the lake's shore. As though autonomously, he angled his path toward the Vuesain heir and headed over to say hello, even though a fresh kill hung from his teeth. He'd been headed for the nearest food cache, but a few minutes out of his way wasn't going to hurt anything.

As the distance closed, Chan picked up on what the other man was after. He tossed the carcass down into the snow to free his tongue for speaking.

"Want some help?" he asked. The force of both of them should be more than enough to break through what had recrystallized since the last time the watering hole was used.

Using his front paws, he used his weight to try to bash through the ice covering the top of the frequently used watering hole. Though he was attempting to break through, his weight just wasn't enough to make it through. However, his lookalike was quick to appear and closed the distance between them as he offered to help break through the ice. "Yeah, I'll go on the this side," as he moved over to the right side of the hole, again using his weight through his front paws to jump and push down upon the ice. Hopefully with the two of them working together they would be able to break through. "Oh, did you end up finding any leads on a new den?" Aleister asked as he paused between attempts.

 

A young fawn has gotten separated from its herd. Hunt Opportunity, +8 Health

Chan moved to the opposing rim and fell into sync with Aleister without another word on the matter. It took only a few united stomps to break through, and grant them clouded access to the water underneath. The Eastfall promptly began to scoop the shards of ice up out of the well, kicking them to the side. Some clattered quite a ways toward the center of the Lake.

"You know that little cove down South along the West side of the Lake? Where the water like, curves around that big ol' rock formation? There's a couple choices up the hills from there."

He knew his favorite, but of course it would be the pack's decision. 

Within moments, the two of them were able to break through the ice and reopen the watering hole that was used by some of the Cove wolves. In sync with Chan, he too cleared the debris that was left behind from breaking through, ice shards scattering all across the frozen Lake. Once everything was cleared, the dark agouti male reached down to take a quick drink while Chan explained what he may have found for the group's new den location.

"That sounds good, did you want to take trip over and show me?" He didn't have much going on right now, so he figured he'd see if the Eastfall lad was interested in showing him what he discovered at this another cove.

Chan waited for Aleister to sate his thirst, before he took his own turn at the water; might as well fuel up while there was access. His ears twitched upward at his leader-to-be's request. Chan lifted his head and licked the water from his lips before answering.

"Yeah, definitely!"

He gave himself a shake, fluffing up his fur for the trip before setting off. Thankfully, they were already on the West shore of the Lake, and so it wouldn't be too far of a trek until they were there.

"There's one in particularly that seems really old and really sturdy, and the inclines at the right angle to protect it during the thaw."

Once he was finished quenching his thirst, his companion took his own turn at the newly uncovered water. Mismatched gaze looking out across the lake for a few moments until Chan agreed to show him his new den find. Giving the lad a soft smile, he fell into step with the younger man as he explained what he found with the new location. "That would be beneficial," he replied in response as the tawny Eastfall led him towards wherever he ended up finding the new den. It was nice to see Chan happy about this change, knowing well that the boy probably disliked that fact his father's burial site was so close to where they all slept currently. At least now they could look forward to making this new location a home without the past bearing down upon them.

 

Chan didn't have much more to say about it that wouldn't be better shown, and so he made his way through the forest in virtual silence. When the ground began to change, stone and gravel pushing up through the earth, first in sporadic patches before eventually overtaking the landscape altogether, the eldest Eastfall son knew they were getting close.

"Hopefully, the rocky soil will make for good drainage, too," he mused aloud as the cove peaked through the trees ahead. He nodded his muzzle toward the sparkling blue streaks, "it's a pretty big inlet, then you go up the hill past it and there's the den."

He followed silently after his lookalike, his banner waving softly behind him. Aleister was happy to see this new piece of land Chan found that could be a possible new place for the group. The terrain was very similar to their birthplace, but it also had it's own flare.

Nodding gently to his words, his mismatched gaze looking around as Chan talked. He mentioned the den, "Mind if you show me?" he asked though he was already making his way towards the direction the Eastfall mentioned its location.