Hot Springs memories remain

tw for references to abuse and possible depression.
also using RE from posting contest - you must have been sleepwalking because you've just startled awake and don't recognize your surroundings!

He ran, as fast as his limbs would carry him. Which, unfortunately for the six-month old, was not that fast. Even less so in an injured state. His body ached where their fangs had torn at him - his shoulders, and neck, mostly. He could feel warmth flowing from each of the wounds, with perhaps the most irritating coming from one above his right eye. Blood seeped from a laceration there, trickling down to obscure his vision. He wasn’t sure if they’d been trying to target his eye or not, but he was fortunate they hadn’t succeeded. Behind him, the sounds of pursuit echoed, albeit lazily, and slowly they faded, replaced by mocking and laughter.

“Dumb bastard, he isn’t worth it. Let him run!”

And he did, as far as he could, putting as much distance between himself and everyone else as he could. Even when he’d gone beyond pack territory, he did not stop. Not until his body and lungs burned with such fury that there was nothing he could do but collapse onto the ground, panting in a bid to catch his breath.

---

Immediately he sat upright, sucking in a few labored breaths before he realized he.. wasn’t actually all that tired. It’d been a dream. Just a fucking dream. Jethro blinked a few times and gave his head an ardent shake in a bid to shed the memories from his mind. It worked to a degree, although the haunting sensation of fangs tearing at his skin and the sounds of their mocking echoing in his ears still had his fur standing on end. He had thought, up here in the mountains, he would’ve been free of those damned memories.

It appeared not. He looked around to make sure he was alone, and at that moment, realized he had no idea where he was. How the hell had he gotten here? He did not remember making the decision to come here. Hell, he didn’t even know which way he’d come from. The most logical conclusion he could come up with was that he’d somehow been running because of his dream, but even that didn’t make a damned bit of sense. Unless it had been more of a hallucination, and he was going crazy or some shit. That sounded more reasonable, but only a little bit. ”Doesn’t matter,” he muttered to himself. He was here now. The reason behind it wasn’t important.

Focusing on his surroundings, Jethro found the sky above him was heavily overcast, making it impossible to gauge exactly what time of day it was, though he guessed it was perhaps late morning. He also noted that he was warm, not unpleasantly so, considering the incredibly unexpected cold weather that had brought with it one hell of a snowstorm not too long ago. The soil beneath his paws was soft and warm, while some peculiarly scented pools of water sat not too far away. Steam floated off of them, highlighting the temperature difference between the water and the cold, mountain air.

What had him most intrigued was the water. Jethro descended what remained of the gentle slope between it and where he’d woken out of whatever spell had claimed him, coming to rest beside it. Tentatively, he stuck a paw in, submerged it, but then pulled it back abruptly in shock.

”The hell?” He exclaimed, eyes widening in shock. Warm water? He’d never heard of such a thing. Confounded by this new find, Jethro promptly reinserted his front paw and held it there, for the moment completely oblivious to his surroundings.

(This post was last modified: Jun 11, 2021, 11:00 PM by Jethro.)

Chan still came here relatively often, especially when he needed to think deeply about things. He'd been present along a different rim than the one Jethro eventually approached, and at first he didn't notice the other man. His paws were wandering the warm, sandy loam while his thoughts likewise meandered. It wasn't until he heard a voice that Chan looked up and finally noticed.

He chuffed out a wordless hello, before heading forth, aiming to navigate around the pools of water and to the darker wolf's side. When he was close enough to be heard without raising his voice, Chan spoke.

"Heya Jethro," he greeted amiably.

(This post was last modified: Jun 15, 2021, 03:35 AM by Chan.)

You've come across an unattended nest full of eggs, do you like them scarmbled or fired? +5 Health

Several questions ran through his mind all at once regarding the water, the most prominent being how was this possible and was it safe to be in? If so, he suspected it was a place Nori would like. It beat that freezing-cold creek when it came to trying to bathe oneself. As his gaze lingered on the water, Jethro noticed it contained an image. His own distorted reflection stared back at him, dark fur and green eyes, and all of those damned scars. His fur hid them well, though the one above his right eye was still there, too, where they’d nicked him. Faint, but an ever-present reminder of his past.

Ugly bastard, he thought. A spark of hatred formulated in his chest, prompting Jethro to bring his paw up and then splash it back down into the water rather forcefully to temporarily vanquish his grotesque image. Now, if only getting rid of the memories were so simple. Words were on the tip of his tongue, when a voice called out, rather cordially at that. It was familiar - one of Nori’s siblings, so Jethro promptly bit back his unpleasant commentary and took a few breaths to steady himself and quell the sudden surge of anger, before turning about to face the approaching individual.

”Good mornin’,” he greeted politely. As long as he was here, he would seek to leave a good impression with the others. ”You’re Chan, right?” Jethro inquired. He’d already stored the man’s name away in his mind the first time they’d met, but asking would hopefully make it seem like he was more invested in a potential conversation than he felt, at the moment.

(This post was last modified: Jun 12, 2021, 11:19 AM by Jethro.)

Chan's eyes drifted briefly to the ripples spreading out from the other wolf, returning without judgment to lime eyes as Jethro replied. There were a thousand reasons why one might swipe at the water, and none of it was his business unless the younger wolf chose to make it so. He nodded with a smile as his name was confirmed.

Stepping up to the pool's edge, he lowered his head for a moment, taking a drink from the warm water and enjoying the mineral taste. It would be time for him to head in soon, but he was more than happy to stay up a little later getting to know his niece's friend.

"Are you from the same pack as Nori and Staryn?"

There was a nod to confirm his name and then an affable smile offered by Chan as he continued his approach. Such a thing confounded Jethro, being so contrary to everything he’d known. Despite the fact that they were alone and there was no reason to be, this guy was nice. It was still almost impossible to comprehend. He was expecting, at any moment, for them to turn on him. To drive him out and away, but there was none of that.

Instead, Chan took a drink. An action Jethro observed keenly, and that served as an answer to many of the questions he’d had pertaining to the water. If it was safe to drink, it had to be safe for anything else. After that, there was just a seemingly simple, honest question. ”No. I met Nori a couple of weeks ago, maybe? We hunted and she told me about her journey to find you all. Had nowhere to go, so travelin' together seemed like, uh, the practical thing to do, at the time.” An answer that left out quite a lot, though certainly, for the best. The most important bits were all included.

It was a shame it would be over, soon. As thoroughly detestable as he considered the idea of ever settling with another pack or group, Jethro could not deny the obvious advantages of it, but that was almost surely out of the question. Now that the aforementioned goal had been accomplished, it appeared all that was left to do was decide when to depart.

Just a few weeks ago, eh? Chan listened attentively, easing down onto his haunches as the other explained. No wonder he had been so subdued during the initial meet and greet. Those final three words stuck out to him, however. Of course, if he hadn't had a plan before meeting Staryn's daughter, it was very likely he still didn't know what his next step would be. Chan couldn't help but wonder what options the younger wolf was considering, however.

"What seems practical now?" he asked, clear, mismatched eyes blinking back at Jethro with genuine curiosity shining brightly within.

(This post was last modified: Jun 19, 2021, 06:47 PM by Chan.)

Where the dark one might’ve expected to be dismissed after explaining he wasn’t even part of the same pack as Nori, that still did not happen. Quite the opposite. The elder male sat back as Jethro had spoken, marking his intentions of remaining to converse quite clearly. Chan didn’t say much, didn’t even look particularly surprised one way or the other. There was just one inquiry to be had after Jethro finished recounting what’d brought him here, and a weighted one, at that.

”Helluva question,” he mused, shrugging lightly. ”Suppose it’d be stayin’ here with you all for a while, establishin’ a connection with ya, or somethin’ like that,” Jet admitted candidly, supposing such a scenario would be the most practical way forward. As again, the benefits of allying and remaining with others were undeniable.

”Practical and I don’t always agree, though. I expect I’ll be movin’ on, soon.” He added after a moment, for there wasn’t any reason to hide his intentions from the other, preferring to be ahead of the game. He was not a member of their family or anyone of importance, and surely that meant they'd want him gone eventually. Despite all evidence to the contrary, it could only be a matter of time. 

(This post was last modified: Jun 20, 2021, 09:44 PM by Jethro.)

Chan was given an interesting response. He had to wonder if the kid had any idea what he wanted in life, much less how to get from here to there. Or he might even be like the Eastfall, maybe moving around was what he wanted. Regardless, it certainly wasn't his place to criticize any of Jethro's options.

"I can understand that," he replied with a smile, having broken the same news to pack after pack himself.

"Whatever you pick, we're here for ya. Don't leave with an empty stomach okay?"

It would also be wise to have this conversation with @Aleister too, but Jethro hadn't really promised anything to them and even if he left without a word, Chan at the least wouldn't hold it against him. He just wanted others to be happy and healthy.

The way the other spoke so simply, cordially, and free of any judgment was so atypical that it was almost unnerving. While skepticism remained, were it not for the weeks he’d spent with Nori, he’d surely have believed it to be a bunch of faked bullshit. Jethro had experienced a healthy dose of surprises since he’d met Nori, and for as long as he remained here, it seemed that trend was poised to continue.

Chan extended a most intriguing statement after that, one that garnered interest, and appeared to indicate that the goal Jethro had established in coming here had been met. He offered a wry grin and a nod in response to the offer. ”Appreciate it, but I’m not gonna just take yer food. Would prefer to help hunt. Or do somethin', to earn it.” Ordinarily, he might not have thought twice about accepting such an offer, and taking whatever he could get for free. But the rare sense of respect he had for these wolves would not permit such an action.

”If there’s anythin’ you or anyone else needs while I'm around.. use me. Don’t matter what it is.” An unusually charitable offer to be extended, but at the very least it might prevent him from getting bored. Unlike back home, though, it appeared he might actually be able to gain from it.