Paradise Falls the dream’s a lie

For @Isla c: set before his thread with Adelard

It was a nice day, even with the chill in the air. Riven had taken to going on short walks as a way to gently exercise his limbs, still aching fiercely from the long journey he’d taken up here. If he’d had access to an herb store he could probably find something to take for the soreness and inflammation, but he didn’t know who to ask about that in the first place, and he didn’t want to impose on the kindness these wolves were showing him by letting him stay here in the first place.

He wasn’t sure where his feet were taking him, but he’d been following one of the smaller streams that cut through the landscape. There was a limp in his step today, vexing him, but he knew if he laid down it would just get more stiff. Light exercise would be more beneficial.

Eventually, he came down to a deeper area, the water slow-moving and just about perfect for what he needed. Riven stepped into the creek and sucked in a sharp breath when the cold water lapped at his belly, but the relief that he felt in his joints was immediate - both from the temperature and the fact that it took the weight off of them. He sighed deeply, letting his body relax.

She had become moodier. More withdrawn, she only ever wanted for the company of @Adelard or @Nadine if she felt light enough. The sensation of being smothered had not yet faded and she worried it might stay for...who knew how long.

Isla needed to stretch her legs and be reminded of the world beyond before it became too late.

Her restless wandering had led her to the edge of the water. Only it seemed she had not been the only one with such an idea. Her features soured near instantly in a way that she had no energy to try to hide. Who even was this? Perhaps she could flex rank or pregnancy over him in order to be alone.

Instead she only snorted sharply and sought to gauge his reaction.

Riven jumped a little at the sound, brows raised as he turned his head to face the wolf who’d snorted at him. She was young, dark-furred, and… very clearly pregnant. Blue eyes softened immediately as he studied the disgruntled look on her face - he’d never been pregnant before, obviously, but he’d been around enough pregnant women to know that it wasn’t easy on the body.

“Hi,” he greeted, tail sweeping slowly through the water, head lowered a bit to show that he wasn’t a threat to the expectant mother. He wasn’t part of this pack, after all - it was only natural to be suspicious.

He tilted his head to the side. “Were you coming to rest in the water?” he guessed. The extra weight would probably put more stress on her joints - it would feel better to soak in the creek, he figured. Not too very unlike his own predicament.

Part of her wanted to say No out of nothing more than stubbornness. She doubted it would get her what she wanted. After all,, everyone so far had seemed keen to give her anything she asked for. The only perk of rounded sides, she figured.

Yes.

Her voice dull and blunt like a dropped sword. Then she moved her legs in a way that felt almost automatic and she slogged into the water. Prepared to lower herself to her bloated stomach and lay in the shallows. Half tempted to belly crawl into the deeper currents but she refrained, for now.

Who are you? She had not bothered to hide the skepticism in her voice.