Thicket of Secrets blood red sangrias

For Jasper!

The further away from the Ridge they travelled, the harder the directions and trails were to follow. In fact, everything after the ravine was just a guess, though Juniper did her best to at least pretend that she knew the way. There was no sense in making Jasper panic, and judging by the position of the sun, they were at least heading the right way, she just wasn't quite sure if they'd overshot it or not. If she was right, they'd hit the mountain in a few days time, and if not then they could always turn around and try again, she just hoped that their sisters had had an easier go of it, and that they'd actually made it to the Lore. 

Eventually they found themselves squeezing though a bramble-filled thicket that seemed more akin to a maze than anything else. Really, it was the worst part of the trip by far, and to her recollection, it hadn't been mentioned in any of the instructions, but she was sure if they could find their way out of it—with at least a little bit of their fur intact—then she could get them back on course. Suppressing a sigh, Juniper spoke, "It shouldn't be much longer." but at this point, she wasn't sure who she was trying harder to reassure, Jasper or herself.

(This post was last modified: Mar 14, 2021, 05:52 AM by Juniper.)

Either Juniper was extremely superb with directions or the pair had been lost for some time now.  His anxiety having already threatened to consume him multiple times since making the decision to leave home caused the male to just assume for the best and try not to think too deeply of it.  What's done is done, it wasn't like he exactly knew how to go back at this point any who.  He could definitely do without all of this bramble though.  "Ow-" he muttered, tearing some fur away from the flesh as he attempted to clumsily maneuver through this wild patch of nature.   "Ow!  Juniper!  Damn thing keeps taking bits of my coat-"  Nope.  Nevermind.  He wanted to go home now.

(This post was last modified: Mar 14, 2021, 06:00 AM by Jasper.)

Juniper crinkled her nose at Jasper's complaints, unsure of whether she wanted to laugh or lament with him, because regardless of how ridiculous their situation might have been, she was getting her fur ripped out too. "I know, I know. Just a little bit further, come on." She did what she could to press stray branches and brambles out of the way to make it easier for him, but honestly the majority of them snapped back into place as soon as she was past. 

After what felt like a lifetime, she caught sight of the first bit of hope she'd had since they entered this god awful thicket. Sunlight. And not the dim, threatening kind that made it's way through the foliage, but real, actual, brilliant sunlight. "Jasper! I think there's a clearing ahead!" Picking up the pace, and ignoring the thorns that tore at her body, Juniper spilled out of the bushes, and into a vast, open field. Huffing a sigh of relief, she looked back towards her brother. "Told ya!"

(This post was last modified: Mar 16, 2021, 07:45 AM by Juniper.)

It didn't matter how little they had left of their journey, Jasper was positive that the damage had already been done and that the pair of them now sported a fashionable new "look at me, I have mange" look. Still, with that same logic it didn't really make much sense to turn back now. No matter what he chose to do the result would be the same, two or more family members running away in fear of catching whatever disease they thought he'd caught. If after he had calmed down a bit he still wanted to go home, the boy would take the long way back. Time to heal, or whatever.

Jasper didn't really have the time to process what his sister had said before picking up the pace, because the sudden shift in speed resulted in a branch smacking him right on the nose. "OW! JUNIPER." he screamed as tears began to involuntarily cloud his vision. Shaking off the pain, he too quickened his steps. He never wanted to go on another quality trip between siblings ever again. "Even if you have to lie, please tell me we won't have to do anymore of whatever that was."

Her ears flattened at Japer's tone. She didn't feel bad that it happened, because she hadn't meant for it to, and she had gotten them out of that godawful mess of brambles, but the yearling didn't want her brother to be hurt either, and it sucked that it happened. Offering a quick, but genuine, "Sorry, Jas." the girl allowed him to continue airing his frustrations.

She answered his plea with a "Fine." Before adding, quite mischievously, "As long as you behave yourself," Now what she actually meant by behaving himself, Juniper hadn't yet decided, but she would certainly know it he wasn't. "we won't have to deal with anymore of that." Her muzzle flicked towards the thicket for emphasis.

As long as he behaved himself his sister wouldn't make him go through another annoyingly painful experience that left him looking terrifying and plagued. Sure, that made perfect sense! You know, except for the fact that it really didn't. The boy was just about to further voice his frustrations with his kin, but just as his muzzle began to form the first word of his next onslaught, Jasper noticed her composition. June really had been sorry. The Leigh sighed. Digging a little deeper than just surface level thoughts, he supposed that she could be just as frustrated and sad as he'd been throughout this whole escapade, and that maybe he was being insensitive and selfish by treating her like garbage up until now. "Hey, no. Forget it. Not your fault." the boy mumbled.

Juni couldn't stop the soft smile that passed over her maw at Jasper's reaction. She had expected him to be a little more selfish than sympathetic, so this was definitely her preferred route. "C'mon. Let's get moving. We'll find something to eat along the way." So long as those coyotes hadn't wiped the lands clean of any small-sized prey.

It wasn't long before her eye caught something through the trees, something large, and pointy, and unmistakable. "The mountain! Jas it's the mountain!" Her tail flashed wildly from side to side as she leapt to get a better view. It wasn't really like Juniper to be so excitable, but this was a special occasion, and the fact that she hadn't led them astray was more than enough of a reason for a little celebration. "We're here. Like really here." Which meant that they were one step closer to finding their siblings.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2021, 05:11 AM by Juniper.)

And with that the tension between he and his kin had depleted. Jasper was proud of himself, it wasn't often that he was able to just let something go like that. Today had been a great first step toward his anger-related goal. He wanted to reward himself for his efforts. When things have finally wined down a bit the Leigh would be sure to treat himself to a big juicy meal. Man was he hungry. Why'd she have to go any bring up food?

Jasper leaped a mile into the air when his sibling suddenly started screaching over something. "Don't yell!" he snapped, embarrassed that she had managed to spook her. It took a couple more moments for him to even register what she had been freaking out about. "June! The mountain! Right there, ahead of us!!"