Lost Lake who are you engaged to?

For @Enera the girls have come to visit SC! Marrah is calling for any member of the pack
Sunrise, Scattered clouds, 45F/7C

I’m Done Putting Out The Fires You Start

It had taken a little convincing for Auntie Woya to allow Marrah and Enera to go up the mountain and visit the Cove, but eventually she had given in. The girls had promised to stick together and only have a short visit, see if they had water or knew about the drought. Then they would turn around and march themselves back home, especially since the new puppies were coming soon.

The thought of that made the dark child’s nose girl with displeasure. It wasn’t that she was unhappy new pups were coming, or jealous of the attention, she just didn’t like how everything was changing. It had been a short year of life so far, but even within that little amount of time nothing felt very stable. Maybe that was the real reason she wanted to visit, maybe Marrah just needed to see that mountain perspective again.

They had started walking again early this morning, as soon as the sun started to lighten the horizon. It was so early in fact, that Marrah almost did not believe her eyes when she saw that the lake, while clearly lower in volume, still had lots to drink. Her mouth suddenly felt like a desert as she clopped forward, desperate for a drink. It was not until she was gasping for breath that she realized they had made it to the border.

Marrah let out a quick call to any pack member, and then started slurping down water again.

When The Cranberry Vodkas Hit A Little Too Hard

had a dream so big and loud

JUMPED SO HIGH I TOUCHED THE CLOUDS

Enera had been thrilled when Woya and Ad had finally agreed to let the girls make the journey. She knew it was hard for them to let the nearly-yearlings go, especially with how many family members were still missing. Still, the leaders had acquiesced and mama had given her blessing and the girls were off. Like her friend, Enera had reservations about the new litters, even though one of them would be her own siblings. She loved her mama and was going do to everything she could to help raise the new pups, and was at least a little excited, but things just kept changing. Hopefully the trip would help her clear her head. It was a long, dry journey, and as soon as Marrah took off, Enera was right behind her.

So much water! she thought, dashing into the lake until it reached her belly and gulping down mouthfuls of the precious liquid. Her ears twitched back as she heard Marrah call and for a moment felt guilty that they'd come so far without announcing themselves, but at least they were at the part of the lake that met the boundary, right? They hadn't actually been that rude.

"Mar, come swim with me!" she said when she'd finally soothed her thirst.

Nash didn't like how low the lake was. Half the size it should be this time of year, it was the only water source left to the Cove wolves. All the springs had dried up, and even the rivers seemed barely a trickle - where they still existed at all. He was growing increasingly worried - especially with his children now arrived. Aquene would need all the food and water she could get to nurse Matos, Magg, and Monatalia. Already his youngest daughter was proving to be incredibly hungry, sometimes pushing her siblings out of the way to get at Aquene. At least it meant she was healthy.

Though he didn't like venturing from Aquene's side, Nash still had duties to attend to and now that his pups had been safely delivered into the world he needed to ensure the territory was still safe. Oksana wasn't far behind Aquene, and resources were precious. He needed to make sure no threats to their safety came into the territory to escape the drought. He was just finishing up the day's patrol when he heard a few short barks and splashing. His ears pricked and he picked up his pace until he spotted the two yearlings in the water, pawprints in the exposed lakebed indicating they'd run right through the border he'd just marked.

If he hadn't recognized the girls and if they hadn't announced themselves, Nash might have driven them off. As it was, he flattened his ears as he approached. "What are you two doing all the way up here?" he asked sternly, staring them down with a firm yet not unkind gaze. They were young and friends of the Cove; they had a lot to learn about manners.

Kateri hadn't really been by the medical den feeling it was time for her to find a den of her own now. She was nearly a year old now and her mother and Nash needed it more. Her leg was getting better helped by taking slow patrols around the territory. She realized no more than ever how important it was for them to protect what they had. Though she probably wouldn't win in a fight if it came to that she still had a voice.

Just because she didn't like the idea of having siblings very much Kateri did still love her mother. Something she tried to do for her was to try and bring her water. She usually deposited it akd left. It was one of the trips she was making to the lake for water for Aquene that she heard the call. It came from the very lake she'd been heading to.

With the lake being the only source of water they had and it was slowly disappearing each day they could have wolves taking what they needed. She pushed her way through the forest until she came onto the scene. Nash had already made it there and was talking to the two girls. Kateri quickly recognized them and approached, "Don't you have water in the Chasm?" She asked curiously. Maybe they weren't the only ones affected.

Note to myself, bumping Marrah's hydration up to 100% now that she has drank in this thread.

I’m Done Putting Out The Fires You Start

The yearling had been just so excited to see the water that she had paid the borders no mind. In fact she had thought she was still on the proper side of them, and so had splashed after Enera when she invited her swimming. Dunking her whole head under Marrah was suddenly blanketed in a quiet world, so cool and refreshing all around her. She came back up with a gasp and was shocked to see they weren’t alone.

Shrinking in embarrassment the Chasm teen made her way back to the shoreline, dripping wet from her short swim. Marrah opened and closed her mouth as another joined them, reminding her that they were here on business. Swallowing hard she blurted out, ”We’re here to see how you all are, and see if you have any water. Ours is completely gone. Dried up.” Usually Auntie Woya would handle these diplomatic matters, but she was too fat with kids right now to make the trip. Honestly it made Marrah feel a bit better about her pudgy frame.

Marrah looked over her shoulder at her sister-friend, hoping she would jump in and take charge as per usual.

When The Cranberry Vodkas Hit A Little Too Hard

(This post was last modified: May 24, 2022, 12:50 AM by Marrah.)

had a dream so big and loud

JUMPED SO HIGH I TOUCHED THE CLOUDS

It felt good to be here, splashing in the water like she had as a pup. It made her feel almost normal, despite everything going on at home. She was glad to take this trip. When she got back, mama would have her new babies and everything would settle into a new normal and everything would be okay. As long as the water came back.

Marrah came and swam for a moment, but their play was interrupted by the arrival of Nash, Kateri close behind him. Enera was proud of herself for remembering their names. She stood up straight and padded to shallower water while Marrah announced their mission - before looking to her.

Enera nodded, seconding everything her sister-friend had said. "We have to go really far to get a drink, and we have to find a way to bring it back cuz Mama and Woya are both gonna have more babies soon and can't go far."

Nash was not the only Cove wolf present for long; his step-daughter was quickly at his side, inquiring about the Chasm's water. Nash had meant to journey down to check on them, but he'd been so preoccupied caring for Aquene, especially now that he had three little ones to provide for as well.

At the news the Cove itself had no water and they had to travel he softened. "Drink up," he said. Their resources were limited, but allowing the two yearlings their fill wouldn't affect the Cove. "It's good to hear the Chasm is expecting new litters, but I'm sorry to hear about the water. Is this the closest water to you? I'm sure we can find a way to help transport it down the pass." He should probably consult @Oksana and @Aleister before promising that sort of aid, but he knew Woya was his leader's cousin and had confidence Al would want to help where he could. It's not like the would be able to single-pawedly drain the lake.

When Kateri saw Nash part of her did want to run the other way so she wouldn't have to answer the awkward questions. She couldn't though because the Chasm wolves were there drinking their water. That was concerning to the Slayer girl, why would they have come this far if they'd had their own water. She still asked the question though seeking confirmation of her theory.

The girls soon explained that they in fact didn't have any water. They were Joe going far to get water and to bring it back to her cousin Woya and another because they were going to have pups. Nash spoke next. "Surely there's some way we can help them?" She asked her stepfather. She knew of course anything would have to be cleared with her father or stepmother but these wolves weren't they family Too?

She looked to the girls, "Do you have to get back right away?" She asked before turning to Nash once more, "Maybe they could come with us for a rest at least?"

I’m Done Putting Out The Fires You Start

Marrah was a little concerned that they were about to get in trouble by the darker adult male, whose name she had forgotten. The fear was quickly removed though when they were joined by Kateri and she saw the adult’s face soften. The yearling waved her tail behind her towards her agement, remembering how they had all slipped together, although Kateri had still had an injured leg and had been more of an observer. In the process she sprayed water all behind her and stopped in embarrassment when she realized what she was doing.

Smiling with gratitude that they weren’t in trouble the Maceio-Tainn answered dutifully, ”We used to have water closer, but now it is either here or all the way north at Turtleback Lake. It’s a couple days walk each way.” She didn’t feel the need to add that the pregnant wolves couldn’t go that far, he probably already knew that. Marrah brightened at Kateri’s words, ”We were told we could stay on the mountain for a day or two!” Then was hasty to add, ”If you’ll have us of course.” They shouldn’t just assume, although Marrah thought it would be kind of rude if they got sent away after the long trek. Especially since they were cousins after all.

When The Cranberry Vodkas Hit A Little Too Hard

had a dream so big and loud

JUMPED SO HIGH I TOUCHED THE CLOUDS

Like Marrah, Enera had been concerned for a moment they were going to be in trouble. They hadn't meant to cross the borders, and it wasn't as though they'd come very far inside them. They were just thirsty! To her relief, Nash didn't appear to be angry, and he softened further when Kateri arrived. Marrah's splashing drew the Rayvne girl's attention for a moment and she glanced back, flashing a brief smile at her sister-friend before returning her attention to he Cove wolves.

Marrah further explained their situation, Enera nodding along with her. Her ears perked when Kateri implored Nash on their behalf. The adults had given the Chasm yearlings permission to be gone for a few days - a few days only - so Enera was hoping to get the chance to enjoy the water and spend some time with her newly-made Cove friends. She nodded fiercely. "We won't be in the way," she promised.