Fallen Tree Cove So give me something beautiful

Backdated for 7/12. Field trip time! @Matos @Diantha @Galen

He'd called and they'd come, and even though it was uncomfortably warm and smoke was beginning to grow heavy in the air, Nash led the way around the lake. It wasn't far to the old Cove, but it was just enough he didn't think any of them had made the trek. Not with intent, anyway, though he might be wrong. They weren't little anymore, not like Eclypse. Nash felt a little bad for leaving her behind, but there was a reason he hadn't brought her older siblings here yet - and with the weather, it was too much. Besides, he wanted this time to be just for his son and Oksana's remaining children. They deserved his attention just as much as everyone else.

Nash slowed as they approached the old border. There was no scent here anymore, something that panged deep in the leader's heart each time he came. Still, he knew these trees and rocks. "We're here," he said, stopping and turning to look at the trio once they'd all crossed. "I thought I'd at least take you to see the old pack den, but is there anything specific you're interested in seeing? This trip was for them, after all, not for him to show them what he liked.

Di had to admit, she was excited about the prospect of a field trip. She wasn't as upset by not getting to go to Paradise Falls as her brother, but she was still jealous of Magg. Di wondered how her friend's parents chose who should go. She personally thought it should have been Galen, or maybe even Matos, since they both had been working so hard, but she was still happy Magg had been recognized. At least, she hoped that's what it was, and not just because she was the girl.

Okay, maybe Di was a little more upset about not going than she was willing to admit. Out of all of them, though, she deserved it the least. So she would be happy with this trip to the other side of the lake - even though she'd gone this far before. She'd just gotten back with Tulip in time for the meeting, after all. It would be good to explore with her brother and friend regardless. So, when Nash called she came and quietly followed to the old territory. She didn't know how he knew when they'd arrived; she couldn't smell anything different. Then again, he'd grown up here. She sat back and looked to her agemates, content to allow them to decide where to go.

While the eldest Eastfall-Slayer child was upset that he hadn't gotten chosen for the scouting trip the prospect of a field trip was intriguing. The ebony boy had been interested in the history of the cove, so to see it would be exciting. As exciting as helping the pack with their relationship with another pack? Eh, maybe not, but hey...this was cool.

Matos hadnt ventured out very much since he had gotten lost on the mountain during the winter. The endeavor had traumatized him into staying either inside the borders or just far enough where they could still be detected. So this was new scenery, though it didnt look too different from where they called home. Maybe a few more fallen trees?

His father stopped, explaining how he was planning on taking them to the old pack den and if there was anywhere they'd like to see. Dual colored eyes looked from him to his agemates, seeing Di also looking amongst them. After a moment he looked back to his dad "Uhhh, what about your favorite spot to go when you were our age?" Matos offered because he wasnt quite sure what there was to see. Dad had mentioned Grandma Namid and Grandpa Tagg, but he didnt want to start the field trip off on a sad note. Maybe Galen would have a better option.

Word count:226

Just getting the ball rolling on this one but @Galen is still welcome to hop in at any point!

With a frown Nash noted Galen seemed to have fallen behind somewhere. He could have sworn the boy was with them the whole way, but perhaps he'd seen something and wandered off? The leader certainly wouldn't be returning home without finding him. They'd already had enough loss. "Did anyone see where Galen went?" he asked, hoping he might have said something to one of his agemates. "We can wait a moment for him to catch up if we need."

And that was okay, because it seemed neither of the two who'd kept up with him seemed to have any ideas where they'd like to go either. He paused, thinking. He hadn't really spent much time here when he was little, now that he thought about it. He'd wandered off many times, and then his dad died, and then... That was one way to cure him of his wanderlust, he thought with ill humor. "Well... when I was your age, everybody left. I really only visited to see if someone came back or to stop by Dad's grave, and I don't think either of you want to start our trip off with that." His mind wandered over the stories his parents told him, trying to think of somewhere within the territory the kids might find interesting.

Di took the opportunity to sit for a minute, only to look around in concern at the mention of her brother. Where was he? She hadn't noticed him disappear. Was he still back home? How had they made the entire trip without noticing he was gone? Her gut clenched as she shook her head. Hopefully he hadn't gotten lost on the way over... but then, he'd spent more time outside the territory than she had, maybe he knew his way around much better than she did.

She wanted to wait, but Nash was talking about his past here. She could empathize with wanting to visit a father's grave, but... he was right. She didn't wand to begin their day with such a somber spectacle. Maybe they could pay tribute on their way out. She simply shrugged and looked to Matos.

Amber and emerald looked around in surprise. Where did his inky age-mate go? Wasn't he just there with them? A single fluffy audit flicked back as his father said they could wait for him for a bit. Matos silently agreed with this since it would also give them a chance to figure out where to visit. It seemed like great minds thought alike as his father voiced the boy's thought. He didnt want to start their trip on a sorrowful note. Though his additional response of everyone leaving when he was their age caught the yearling's attention. What did he mean everyone left? Still not wanting to damped the mood, Matos decided to save that question for later.

Dual colored gaze moved from searching the trees for his age-mate to his onyx paws. He fittled with a pebble on the ground as he tried to think of an idea for a place to visit. Feeling Di's gaze upon him he glanced at her before looking to his dad. "Uhhh maybeee where ya, Uncle Al and Uncle Chan were born then?" He suggested pensively as this was the absolute last idea he had.

The yearlings were disturbingly silent, neither offering up explanation nor suggestion. They appeared just as confused as he was, looking about for Galen. Nash's eyes wandered over the foliage again, nose twitching in the hopes of catching scent of the boy as he approached but... no such luck. With a sigh he turned his attention back to the pair before him. If Galen decided he didn't want to come with them, then he wouldn't track him down and drag him over.

Finally Matos spoke up and Nash offered a small smile. "Well, they were each born in a separate birthing den, and I'm not sure where mom and Namid chose their places. But I'll take you to where they moved to when they were old enough." He hoped it was enough of an offering to satisfy them. Maybe he should have asked his brother more about his first year of life. "Follow me, and try not to wander too far, please." The last thing he needed was to lose another yearling.

Galen still didn't appear and worry churned in Di's gut. She clung to her only remaining littermate. She didn't know what she'd do if he disappeared... more than just for a trip. She just wished he'd warned her that he was heading back. She didn't want to think about the possibility that he'd wandered off. He wouldn't just leave her without a word. He wouldn't.

Luckily her mind was drawn back by Matos's offer and she nodded along with him. It would be good to see where her dad was born - or at least where he grew up. She knew he'd traveled much of his adult life, but he had to begin somewhere. The thought of him as a pup, or even as her age, was still a bit baffling to her. He was just her dad, always existing as he had in her memories. Thinking of Chan and Nash as puppies too was strange. Would she be so put together and sure someday? It seemed impossible.

The boy's ebony tail wagged when his father agreed to his idea, glad to have contributed something. Though he didnt know exactly where the birthing dens were Nash did offer to take them to where the pups were brought to when they were old enough. Dual colored eyes looked to his agemate with a smile in hopes of reassuring her. He wondered and worried too where his lookalike had gone but he was sure he couldnt have gone far. Matos gave Di a shoulder bump before standing to follow his father. Unknowingly the Eastfall shared the same sentiments as the Vuesain. It was hard to imaging any of the adults as children. Sure he knew thats how they all started but it was weird to think of his dad, mom, uncle and grandma as being small like Eclypse or his and Di's age. They were grown ups afterall.

The kids were silent as he led them through the territory, winding closer to the lake. "See that tree up there?" he said, pointing with his nose when he could see it. Its roots were still gnarled and it wasn't as close to the water's edge as he remembered... but then, the drought had taken its toll on the lake, even though they'd never completely lost water. "Under that is the den, and that's where we lived." It had been a good place, and one they'd strongly considered continuing to call home when he and the Vuesains had met here two years ago.

Had it really been that long? So much had changed. He had two different litters now, a mate, and a pack to lead. He'd never imagined himself here. He wondered what his dad would say, and he missed his brother.

Nash shook off the dour thoughts and brought a smile back to his face, stopping before the den's entrance. "Why don't you kids explore a bit, and then we can go to the next spot?"