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Post by Cyn on Feb 24, 2017 2:03:02 GMT
Periwen and her company had been close to the village when they decided to head to the lake which required a sharp right turn South East, to their left just through a row or two of trees and brush ran the river the sound of which easily reached their ears though it had only recently thawed. Slowly but surely her land was coming back to life and she couldn't be more excited, few things in this world could compare to the newly blossomed wild flowers sprawling over the hills or at least in her mind they couldn't. It was then, mind wandering, Periwen began to wonder if her company would be here to see it? Though she wanted to ask she thought it best to let the land win him over and keep her pestering to a minimum.
"So Aurek, the lake is rather large, it takes a couple several hours to walk it's shores but it's an easy walk since most of it is surrounded by nothing more daunting than tall grass in the warmer months. It freezes very solid in the dead of winter and I'm sure a skilled fisherman could manage to break through and fish year round. I personally haven't put the effort into doing so, I take the easy route and catch a good amount before the freeze and salt it then store it underground. I can't say that there is a bad place to catch but the BEST place is just off an island made by the splitting of the river as it meets the lake, the river rarely freezes entirely and the fish seem to stay close to the surface here. You'll see."
It wasn't until after speaking she realized she may have rambled on a bit but she was very proud of her land and it seemed the opportunity to show it off was not a commonly occurring one. One ear trained for sounds from behind her the other to the side where the river ran it's course she was listening for a particular churning sound that would signal they were nearing the form in the water. This would be the symbol to leave the trees for ford the river, though it was far less intimidating than some would believe if they went off of sound alone.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 24, 2017 2:24:38 GMT
Aurek smelled the water a while before he heard it. The fresh, wet scent made his tongue feel suddenly parched, and he fought the urge to swallow. His ears perked forward as they caught the babbling gush of the current. He didn't carry a waterskin with him, not during the wet winter and spring months. It wasn't much work to find water. Still, he hadn't stopped to refresh himself since... well, hours ago. The first thing he wanted to do when they reached their destination was take a short swim and a long drink.
He padded along behind Periwen, listening as the fem chattered about the lake and fish. She was a friendly wolf, for sure. Unfortunately, he had no idea what to say in response, once she fell silent. His mind was drawing a complete blank. He managed a small murmur of acknowledgement: "All right." Still, he wished he had more to offer.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 24, 2017 2:39:15 GMT
Yep she sure had done it, talked his ears and tongue off. She shook her head just slightly at herself, it had clearly been too long since she had company. Periwen calmed herself with the thought that very soon she would be able to offer him something he would enjoy since conversation didn't see to be at the top of his favorites list, something she didn't begrudge him at all. Shoot she did enough talking for the entire pack that no longer lived here. And there it was, the crashing sloshing sound of the divide and she knew now to step from the trees trusting Aurek would follow as he had done so faithfully thus far.
Just past the last tree the lake stretched out before them, immediately in front of them just as she had said there was a small island with a path of very clearly planted stones one could walk or hop across to get from one bank to the other. The island was small just big enough for two maybe three adults and a few items of gear between them but nothing and no one more. Jutting out from the side facing the lake was a stone bench which in the hot summer was her favorite place to be, her feet just able to soak in the cool refreshing waters below.
"Well, here we are. Feel free to explore and poke about for a good spot, I myself will be on the island."
Iwen trusted he wouldn't go far and even if he did there wasn't many places to hide but behind the island from where they had come. In any case she didn't feel threatened by Aurek, either because he never failed to use his manners or perhaps because she was used to having company for brief bits of time. Whatever it was she hoped she was not mistaken in her trust.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 24, 2017 2:50:55 GMT
He continued to follow her until she lead him out of the trees -- and then he stopped mid-step, just for a second, as he took in the sight of the lake in front of them. She hadn't been exaggerating; it was a pretty large lake. There was the island, too, and what a picturesque little thing it was. His lips tugged back in a small smile at the carefully laid stones leading out to it. Unbidden, his mind summoned up an image of a much smaller Periwen perhaps having skipped and splashed across them, once upon a time.
He flashed her a grin and gave a nod of his head. "See you there in just a bit."
And with that, he made his way down the bank and stepped into the water. The shock of the sudden coldness against his feet sent shivers prickling up his spine. He felt his fur begin to stand up in response, but it only took a few moments for the sensation to disappear. With a contented sigh, he firmed his grip on his spear and waded toward deeper waters, making sure to gauge the strength of the current as he went. He didn't intend on venturing too far -- he really did want to join Periwen on the island. She said it was a good fishing spot, and he believed her enough to want to try it out for himself.
But first... a small swim.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 24, 2017 3:44:09 GMT
At first she was confused when he said he would see here in a bit but she began to understand his meaning when he inched his way into the water. Periwen was certain he had gone insane, the temperature was far too cold for her liking but who was she to judge.
"Should you freeze up I must warn you that you're on your own! I don't do cold water swimming!"
She shouted out to him, feeling obligated to warn him she would not come to his rescue, knowing full well that indeed she would. What kind of Alpha would she be if she let potential pack members freeze and die on her watch. She rolled her eyes and grinned at herself as she made her way to the stepping stone bridge that she and her grandfather had built together, choosing the thinner of the two splits in the river as it was less work to construct. Just a hop, skip and a jump and she was on her island where she then made her way to the ledge. Periwen opted to sit cross legged rather than dangle her legs over and risk coming in contact with the frigid liquid below. She had not brought fishing gear for herself but was content nonetheless to sit and look out upon her lake, in her looking she noticed a large growth of reeds just on the other side of the island that she had not harvested yet.
Standing once more she pulled them from the soggy muck and returned to her seat where she began to strip away the dry and dead leaves and placing them in a pile to one side, determined to make rope from them later after some re-hydrating, and placing the strong shafts in a pile of their own having cut the cat tails or what remained of them from the tops and scattering them in the wind to hopefully seed this coming years growth.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 24, 2017 3:59:02 GMT
Aurek barked out a laugh at her shouted warning and waved her off with a lazy swipe of his hand. The water was cold, and he would probably regret it once he was sitting on the island, in the open air, with soaked fur. Nevertheless, he turned and waded on in search of deeper water. He wanted to completely submerge at least once. It had been far too long since he'd had the pleasure of swimming.
Once the current reached his waist, he was satisfied. With a deep breath, he bent his knees and let himself slip under the surface. The sudden shock of cold liquid encompassing his entire body made his belly shudder and his lungs hitch. He opened his mouth, let out a stream of bubbles for the fun of it, and pushed with his legs until he was once again standing head above water. Then, he bent down and drank his fill.
Feeling content, with his thirst quenched, Aurek turned back toward the island and began the slow walk to where Periwen sat. If there happened to be a slight shiver in his dripping arms and shoulders, he didn't notice.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 25, 2017 2:17:21 GMT
Iwen had watched him closely at first, more out of curiosity than suspicion, but had wandered back to her task at hand. While she did enjoy resting and relaxing she had a hard time doing either when there was a task to be done and so it was she often found her mind and hands busy. At the moment she had stripped the reeds of their dried leaves leaving the stocks, she twisted a pulled a couple of them until she found a few that bent without splintering and it would be these few that she wove along with the leaves into a basket to be lined with animal fat once back at the village thus making it into a water storing vessel.
"That looked to be a chilly swim. Do that often?"
She spoke as one friend would to another as if to poke fun without being hurtful, just inquisitive. Though her job was never done as the Alpha she felt she no longer needed to make her rank and status known, it had not been said but she was fairly certain she had earned some respect from Aurek on their short trek and she was certain this would get her far with him.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 25, 2017 12:06:02 GMT
Aurek chuckled at her words as he joined her on the island, glancing at the plants she had gathered and stripped as he did so. His prediction had been right -- up here, in the open air, his still-dripping fur was doing little to keep out the chill. Still, he couldn't complain.
"I love the water," he said. "My mama used to joke that I was born in it, and if I insisted on living in it, I was gonna die in it, too." He smiled a slow smile at the memory. "She had to fight tooth and nail to keep me dry as a pup. But, to answer your question, yeah. I guess if she were here today, she'd still be giving me hell for how much I'm in the water."
He sat down and folded his legs nearby, tail pressed against his body, not wanting to get too close to Periwen and her work. He rested his spear flat across his knees and leaned his elbows on it.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 1:13:50 GMT
Periwen smiled, it was pleasant to hear about his past and especially since she didn't have to pull it out of him, it would seem saying less really did earn her more. Pondering over this revelation she sat there quietly working on her weaving, it wasn't something she was terribly good at but she liked to think someday she would be if she kept trying.
"There's nothing wrong with a good swim, shoot I'll spend a good chunk of the midsummer days here in the water but in the winter? You sir are nuts and I think you're mother was quite right in her wisdom. I find myself once again wishing I'd worn my belt, I keep fire starting rocks in one of the pouches that we could have used to set flame to this abomination I'm attempting to shape and it could have been useful in warming you."
If it wouldn't be a waste of the materials she would through the mess of a basket into the water but she simply set about making corrections and pulling layers tighter, cursing under her breath as she went.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 26, 2017 1:24:52 GMT
He chuckled. "It's all right. I'm gonna get back in the water here in a bit again. Can't catch anything sitting up here with you, after all."
Blue eyes focused on the water, observing the current and waiting to see if anything worthwhile swam nearby. If things looked promising, he would wade out again, stand as still as a tree, and bide his time for the perfect strike. He also halfheartedly kept an eye out for frogs or toads, but somehow it seemed unlikely any of the slimy little buggers would be hopping around so early in the year.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 1:42:52 GMT
She shook her head in disbelief, a smile curving upwards on her lips. Aurek was one determined wolf and she had to admit she respected that a great deal, she personally fished from dry land and even that was rare in cold weather. The basket was coming along finally and she found herself worrying less and less about it's formation. Satisfied but nearly out of leaves she looked up and into the water.
"With my luck the fish have decided to bed down on the other side and I will have lied to you about the spot being good for fishing. My apologies in advance."
Periwen's eyes trailed to the moving water, pleading with the fish folk to make an appearance but so far no such luck. Figures.
"I do have some dried fish back in town, you know, just in case."
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 26, 2017 2:02:18 GMT
Aurek glanced away from the water, watching as her fingers worked to shape the leaves. He shrugged his muscled shoulders at her preemptive apology. "This is a waiting game, Miss Per -- Iwen. Unless you have some magic bait you use around these parts, I'm not gonna hold you accountable for the lack of fish. It's nice to know we won't starve on account of not catching anything, though."
He looked up at her as he tripped over the name, torn between using proper manners with her proper name and the request she'd made to be addressed with a nickname. He gave her a sheepish grin. She was proving to be one of the most down-to-earth alphas he had ever met. Relaxed, almost, though he wasn't sure that was quite the right word. It was just... different to see someone of her position being so casual and so willing to interact with a loner. He wondered if it was because that was part of who she really was... or if she had been alone for so long, she just wanted the company. Being the sole member of the pack for who knows how long had to have affected her somehow.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 2:18:41 GMT
Iwen noticed she had drawn his attention away from the water and while she was relieved he wouldn't hold against her the lack of food but she couldn't help but grin at his fumbling with her name and again at the mention of a magic belt.
"Sadly no such belt though I do wish I could find such an accessory, that would make my year. I really do welcome you to call me Iwen but if it's more comfortable to call me by my full name then you are welcome to do so but there is really no need for the miss though I do appreciate your manners. Your mother would be so proud."
As she was looking at Aurek she made note that we would be no warrior but if he would stay he absolutely could be very useful to have around. Then again when the pack consisted of a lone female almost anyone would be useful but Aurek appeared to have at least one skill, he could swim in ice cold water and was determined once his mind was set. Some who passed through Atheria very clearly had no intentions of staying in one place long but she didn't get this impression from Aurek so maybe there was hope. Only one way to find out.
"I know you had said you travel where ever your feet take you and you don't or at least haven't settled down yet but you know there is a first time for everything? There is more than enough room here in Atheria that you could be alone when you need to be but still have the opportunity to contribute to a pack. Not that there is much of a pack as yet but I'm hopeful this will change this year."
She wanted to go into detail, to tell him just how briefly the land had been her own but she didn't want to overwhelm him or press her suggestion since silence had been the best tool so far. Suddenly she wondered if she had said too much already.
"No pressure, you do what's best for you of course but I'm just putting it out there, you're welcome to linger."
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 26, 2017 2:31:42 GMT
Not for the first time since meeting Periwen, Aurek felt his brows raise to impossible heights. The water and the fish was all but forgotten. She... wanted him to stay? "Wait, what? Are you offering me a collar with no leash?"
Oh, how rare that was. This wasn't the first time he'd been invited to join a pack. It was, however, the first time such an invitation didn't come with the heavy weight of expectation and responsibility, if he was hearing her right. Not that he was one to shirk responsibility -- living alone and being resourcefully self-sufficient was proof enough of that. Still, he wasn't the type to march to everyone else's beat.
He shook his head minutely, attempting to clear the surprise from his thoughts. "Just to be clear -- what exactly are you offering, and what do you expect from me in return?"
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 2:46:53 GMT
She saw his eyebrows raise in shock again and she was about to suspect she had blown in when suddenly he spoke and didn't sound entirely against her offer. It was her turn for her eyebrows to shoot up.
"I've never heard it put quite that way before. I mean you'd be free and welcome to roam around though company would always be welcome around the village, all I'd want from you is your allegiance to myself, Atheria and it's future pack meaning should there be a threat you would help me get rid of it, though I've not seen a battle here since my puppyhood. And of course should I need help getting food I'd expect you to chip in but you and I would seem to be well able to take care of ourselves so I can't imagine I'd need food brought to me anytime soon."
It all sounded pretty demanding to her when she spelled it out, perhaps she should add a few positives to joining?
"That all being said it works both ways, if you need help the pack would be here to support you and you have an entire pack land to explore without risking stumbling upon a less than pleasant Alpha. I mean, I'm pretty pleasant if I do say so myself."
With this last she couldn't help but tease, the offer while serious was creating a heaviness in the air that she found unpleasant. Periwen would have of course said more but she felt she had spoken enough, really she had touched on the major points and now it would be up to Aurek to decide.
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