Stepping Stone Causeway turning the page

He was back here once more. Close to, though not exactly in the area he’d met Mally in for the first time. It was, as he’d thought all the way back then, quite a sight to behold in the autumn months. The changing colors of the forest, backed by the many rivers, fed by that lake, and the towering peaks beyond painted a beautiful picture. One he wished he could share.

Arty’s heart still ached a little, thinking of him. It was the longest he’d ever spent with one wolf, and maybe the first time he’d cared so much. But as with all things, that too eventually had come to an end.

He’d seen so little of Relic Lore before, and he wanted to know more. But more importantly, after nearly a year of wandering alone, he sought something else, too.

Companionship. At the very least, for the duration of the cold season. Preferably something organized. A pack or group he could work his way into for the next six months or so. There had to be somewhere he could go where he could work out a suitable arrangement.

First, he needed to get across this waterway, though. A series of stones randomly placed throughout it seemed to provide a path forth, but did he risk it?

Clouse was wandering, not realizing the direction until he too came to the river's edge and recognized its topography. Could it have been called a first meeting, when Malien attempted to end his life? Frostbit-scarred ears leaned back as he regarded the moving waters, not yet as frigid but still dangerous.

Maybe he could try that bridge of boulders now.

The brush was blooming with color as he moved through it, then the sunlight caught a set of different hues. Clouse stopped, silver eyes narrowing in on the form of a stranger further downstream, where he'd been headed. For a moment, there was a strong urge to make of a cycle of this whole thing, to shove the other wolf into the water and leave him to sink or swim.

Then there was a flash of ice blue, and he had another realization. He knew this guy. Well, kind of. Clouse remembered stargazing in the snow, and... not much else? No name, no impression. At least the murderous impulse had been quashed.

He continued forward, but not with a hello. His eyes were for the rapids amongst the causeway.

He was no stranger to risks, but after that trip down the ice on the half-frozen river.. there was a new aversion to water now that he hadn’t had before. Another fear to be conquered. It wasn’t as if he could avoid it. He either had to cross this river or take the long way around, through the mountains, if he wanted to keep heading east. As scenic as that route had been before, it was not a trip Arty particularly fancied taking now. The excess days and energy it would take was too great.

So, the stone-bridge it was.

Forcing the thoughts out of mind, he backed up a little to afford himself a running start, took a breath, and went for it.

His paws met slick, wet, cold stone as he cleared the first jump. Then, after a few moments to steady himself and study the path forward, hopped to the second. After that, though..

It was one larger platform further to the right, or a smaller one to the left. The latter would be the easier jump now, but the path to the right looked easier to traverse after this choice. Arty paused again to think. He wasn’t sure what made him look back, but he did.

He noted that there was another figure. Dark. Familiar?

”Clouse?” He called out.

He would suppose he couldn't trust this wolf any more around the swift water. After all, Malien had smelled of him that second time. Perhaps he just... didn't much care. Besides, at the moment, the other was in the more precarious situation. At his name, Clouse lifted his head to regard the near-stranger. Tried to remember what he'd called himself. The memory of it had been saved for a while before gradually slipping away, leaving just those striking angles of his face and the warmth of his side as the most prominent details.

"Don't let me stop ya," he answered, tipping his nose toward the other man and his current venture. If his unanticipated company could make it across, he would definitely have to give it a try. If he didn't, his loss would be Clouse's saving grace, he supposed- a clear sign to turn around and find something safer to do.

(This post was last modified: Oct 21, 2023, 04:38 AM by Clouse.)

He couldn’t be sure if, from the distance, the other would recognize him. Despite having spent only a night with the other, the memory had been firmly secured. Clouse was one of only a pawful of individuals Arty had met during his previous trip here to the lore. That, and he didn’t tend to forget a handsome face.

Don’t let me stop ya, the other would answer. The loner tipped his head in a little nod.

Standing on a rock surrounded by rushing water wasn’t exactly an ideal spot to be stopping for conversation. Without another word, he turned back, regarding his options again.

Left or right…

Had he been alone, Artyom might’ve considered backing out entirely and looking for another spot. But now, with someone watching, he couldn’t. Pride goeth before the fall. With a deep breath, he backed up, affording himself as much space as he could for a good start, and jumped to the right.

His front paws met solid stone, but his backside did not. Instead, they slipped upon slick rock, and dipped into the current, forcing him chest first into the stone. Adrenaline masked pain for a few moments, though. Long enough for him to kick and scrape and eventually find enough of a footing to push the rest of his torso up onto the rock.

When he finally thought to breathe, it hurt, but didn’t stop him laughing in exhilaration. Not exactly graceful, but he was still alive, and it’d be easier from here. That was what counted.

Clouse watched, ears lifting and grey eyes widening slightly when it seemed the fates would indeed conspire against the other wolf. He made it though, pulling himself free of the water and even sounding a bit pleased. His dark lips ticked upward wryly, and he started to feel a little bit better than he had when he'd thought he was alone.

Sooty paws carried him closer, testing the edge of the bank for stability before looking ahead again to the first of several leaps which might take him to the other side. Or more frostbite. Or worse. But hey, if that guy could do it!

Clouse calculated, coiled, and pounced, making it gracefully to the first stepping stone. The next was even closer and took little thought to manage, but then he had the third to tackle. His companion had more length to him, but more weight to send flying as well, right? Didn't matter, the other wolf had likely already noticed his following, and he didn't want to be the one to turn tail.

He looked up to see where Artyom had gotten to.

(This post was last modified: Nov 23, 2023, 07:04 AM by Clouse.)

As much as he’d have liked to look back, Arty didn’t. He did not need any kind of distraction and didn’t need any reason to falter. Instead, once he’d caught his breath and the pain where he’d impacted the stone faded into a dull ache, he continued. Each jump was relatively easy now, but that wasn’t to say he executed them all perfectly.

There were a few slick spots, a few miscues, and a couple more splashes. But the opposite bank grew nearer, and once he was to the point where the water appeared to be just under chest level, Artyom chose to jump in and wade the rest of the way.

He could deal with wet limbs and a damp tail, as long as the bulk of him hadn’t been submerged, he considered that a win. Only after reaching dry land would he look back to see if Clouse had decided to follow or remain put. He didn’t want to simply up and leave, just in case.

Arty didn’t exactly know what he’d do if something happened to Clouse, only that he couldn’t just leave without finding out.

Progressing fairly well, it seemed. Clouse watched him a moment longer before continuing on himself. Where the other had nearly fallen in, he took a bit longer to judge. It was with great luck that he managed to clear it without getting more than his wolfish shins soaked, each hind leg slipping in once in order to propel him up into a more stable position. That gave him even more confidence, and while he was quite winded by the end of it all, Clouse was quite proud with how he'd performed.

Especially when Tommy ducked out early and he got the petty satisfaction of being the only one to totally complete the course. He used every last stone before touching the bank, making sure to be a few strides up so he knew he was on solid ground before letting his haunches collapse. His tongue lolled and he smiled over at his unexpected company.

"What was your name again?"

Might as well get that over with. Tommy didn't seem right.