Coho Pool maybe tonight

RE - Rosemary, a grasshopper jumps on your nose.

AW for one or two? Maybe someone from DEB

Eclypse and Morven were very kind, Rosemary had found. They'd probably saved her life, and though nothing could replace her mother, it was nice to not be alone. To have food and warmth at night. To not be afraid. She wasn't sure exactly where the two of them were planning on heading after Rosemary found her sister, but part of her hoped they would stick around, at least for a while, and if they didn't, then she hoped they'd go somewhere where they would be happy.

Coming up on her fifth month of life, Rosemary had grown a considerable amount. Still not as large as she would've been had she had access to enough nutrition in her earlier months, she'd grown taller and leggy, around a medium stature. Awkward, as well, with feet and ears that were too big for her body, but Morven had told her she'd grow into them, so that was probably okay for now. Even if she tripped over her paws a lot of the time, especially when she was trying to hunt something.

Kind of like right now.

It wasn't any kind of impressive prey - a grasshopper, settled on the banks of a pool, cleaning its feet. Rosemary crept forward, peachy eyes focused on the insect, and just as she was preparing to jump, her left paw hit her right and she flopped gracelessly onto her stomach, and the grasshopper jumped directly onto her muzzle, as if taunting her for her mistake.

Rosemary huffed and simply laid there for a moment, eyes crossed as she stared at the audacious little bug.

(This post was last modified: Nov 28, 2024, 05:53 PM by Eros.)

Finally, Lucian was starting to notice evidence of other wolves. It was sparse, could even just be a tiny group passing through; but it could also mean he was at the farthest reaches of where a local pack traversed. While those towering redwoods had ultimately not been enough to keep him, maybe there was somewhere nestled amongst these shadowy woods that would click as home.

He didn't expect the first he'd run into to be a child, though. Lucian caught sight of her tumbling through gaps between the many trees still between them, already smiling. It didn't matter their age, he was always happy to make a new acquaintance! He maneuvered the distance at a peppy jog, approaching her and the prey she sparred with.

"Hello!" his voice was cheerful, and his dark tail wagged breezily.

Rosemary'd had the unfortunate type of upbringing where, thusfar, she had only met three other wolves beside her mother. Not a very socially adept child, not very comfortable with strangers, the sound of another calling her had the girl - and the grasshopper - jumping up in alarm. Well, the grasshopper probably jumped only in response to Rose jumping, but still.

Pale orange eyes widened as she looked over at the stranger - he was young, but older than her, like Morven and Eclypse, but not as big. Rosemary was probably taller than him, actually, and though his sudden approach had initially been alarming, he didn't seem scary once she actually looked at him.

A small smile formed on her own maw, tail giving a tentative wag. "Hello," she greeted, unsure of exactly what she was supposed to do next, so she settled on a, "What's your name?" It seemed polite enough, after all, and her mother had insisted on niceties.

He'd clearly startled her, and his ears leaned back while his brow took on a gentle bend. The smile never faltered, though. It sunnied even more when she did return it.

"I am Lucian," he answered breezily, and his haunches lowered to the ground. He'd like to stick around a moment, have a proper conversation. It'd been far too long since the last.

"What's your name? Is this forest your home?"

She was a little young to be a traveler too, but that didn't mean she couldn't be! Especially if she had family members with her to help her stay safe.

Oh, this was a nice wolf. Rosemary had very, very good luck in finding those lately. She was glad for the opportunity to be able to talk to him, and settled down as well, orange eyes tentatively excited.

"I'm Rosemary," she introduced, tail thumping on the ground. It didn't slow even as he asked about her home - she'd never had one, so there was nothing to miss, and no sadness associated with the lack of it. "And, um, no. I don't have a home right now. But I'll find one soon, I hope!" she amended quickly.

"Is this your home?" the girl countered, tilting her head to the side. Maybe he knew something about the Backwater!

Rosemary. Lucian thought of the native bog-variation, its unique leaves and charming blossoms easily coming to mind. He knew much of plants both medicinal and non, thanks to spending time with his Pa. He wondered if she'd ever seen the flowers whose name she shared.

"It's not," he answered, smile edging wider. They were the same, at least in this matter.

"I'm looking too. Quite the undertaking, isn't it?"

His head tilted slightly, curiosity shining clear in his treasure-gold eyes.

"Think you'll know it when you're there?"

Something about this boy not having a home, either, made Rosemary feel a little more stable. She wasn't the only one looking for a place - wasn't the only one out there who had nowhere to go. Morven and Eclypse didn't, either, but they had each other, and now she had them, at least for the time being.

A soft sigh pulled from her maw, then, a little tired and exasperated, but it had done little to dampen her spirit. "Yes," she said simply. "The world is really big and I don't know where to go sometimes. But mama said there was a place down here, and I'm gonna find it." She imbued every ounce of determination she could find into her words - she absolutely had to find this place, and even if it didn't feel like a home, she would make it so.

"Mhmm," she hummed, grinning at the yearling. "I hope the wolves are nice there." Nice like Morv, Eclypse, and Lucian. She wouldn't mind spending her time surrounded by kind wolves.

No longer as cautious, the girl scooted a little closer. "Do you know where you're going?" she asked, curious. Maybe he had a name for his future home, too.

Ah, here they differed. While Rosemary's compass was her mother's guidance, Lucian only ever intended on following his heart. Sometimes it coincided with others', and sometimes it walked its own path. Wherever it led had to be right, though - that was its very purpose. He wondered how the young girl's heart would feel once she found the place she'd been told of.

"I hope they are too," Lucian added, still smiling. Maybe with both of their wishes in action, it would be certain.

"Not exactly, no. I know that I am looking for a home, and that I will feel it in my bones once I'm there."

His eyes closed as he spoke of it, and he took in a deep breath then let it out contentedly, as though basking in sunlight.

"There are wolves south of here, you know," gilded gaze peeked open again.

"Their ground is... wet."

Lu had known immediately it was not the place for him.

Perhaps in time, when her mother's voice was not the one she heard in her thoughts, she would be able to follow her own heart, as well. For now, her conscious mind was Nia's, and that was what she acted upon.

Lucian was very nice. Her tail thumped on the ground, all of her initial anxiety eased spectacularly by the conversation.

"I hope you find your home," she told him, and she truly did. As much as she hoped to find hers.

Her brows raised in surprise. "Really?" she asked, excitement suddenly making it difficult to sit still. "Are we close to them right now?" Had she already found the place Nia had mentioned? Wet ground didn't sound too appealing, she had to be honest, but maybe it was in the name. Backwater.

"You're very kind," he commented in return, tail batting at the ground happily. With so much good will being passed back and forth here, what could ever possibly go wrong!

"Well it's a bit more than a hop, skip and jump away," he answered her playfully, rising back onto all fours, "but I bet we could be there before the sun set."

There was no way he'd refuse guiding her to the wolves he'd passed by, even if he didn't quite like the feel of the place. This was clearly important. Lucian's head tilted inquisitively.

"Is that what you'd like?"