Hunting...maybe

[Keverne]

Kerverne shook vigorously, sending any loose sand from her dig flying. She padded forward, searching for Rakashan's scent.

But it wasn't there.

She snorted, thinking, then tilted her head back in a howl.

Rakashan. Hunt?

A hunt would be nice...an excuse to walk with Rakashan. She shivered at the thought. It was...appealing.

If Rakashan were her mate, maybe the she could share with him a representative's greatest secrets. The other Webs, and other territories that went with them. Places beyond the known Shadalin Archipelago. A weight would certainly be lifted off her shoulders. A mate would be nice...

But first, a hunt.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan jumped when the howl reached his ears. 'Keverne,' He thought. He brightened up at the thought, and was running at full speed within a few seconds. He skidded to a halt a few feet away from her, slowing to a stop when he could see her. "Good day for a hunt, Keverne?" He said, rather than asked. He bowed as deep as before. He stood back up, and smiled. He backed up a bit and sat down, winking.

[Keverne]

"Oh, yes," she agreed. "Hunting would be...lovely."

That wink, she thought. Normally, among wolves, a wink meant "all is well." But in this case, it seemed...different. Mischievous?

"Where do want to go?" she asked, glancing around. A ray of sunlight hit her eyesl; she blinked furiously and turned her gaze to the other direction. "Maybe down on the Gulf of Monther shore?" she suggested, though it sounded more like a question. Open to further debate. "If there's nothing like water voles--" a quick mouthful for an Isthmus wolf, kind of like a snack--"then we can always fish." Her tail shifted slightly as she thought of fishing.

Leaping over the evenly-spaced gray stones to fish was one of Keverne's favorite things. If she slipped and went into the water, she would swim to the next stone instead of jumping. She thought of leaping with another wolf, both scrambling for footing. Fishing was a good idea.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan nodded. "We could go there." He said, almost over excited. "I've never been there." He said. He stood up, and waited for her to lead the way. "Ladies first." He said.

OOC; Oh, short post

[Keverne]

She dipped her head in acknowledment, murmuring a quiet, "If you say so."

She turned and wheeled sunsetwards, toward the Gulf of Monther coast. The large island of Monther, on the Isthmus's strongwards side, need not be disturbed. The coast was as long as the Isthmus itself.

The soft sand gradually grew harder under her paws. Wet. She darted forward now, into the water, until it was too deep to stand. Then, she pushed on with strong, confident strokes, swimming as though she had done this since she was born--which, actually, was true.

She reached the first jagged stone before she got tired. There was a winding line of them, snaking off from this point, not too far to jump if you were used to it. The rocks stuck out far now with the moon three suns past its waning crescent and the tide so low. She scrambled up higher and waited for Rakashan.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan stopped where he was on the soft sand, and ran. He flew over the hard wet sand and straight into the water. His splash was minor, and he had to laugh. He swam over to Keverne with large strokes and panted. "So (pant) fun!" He said (shouted). He straggled onto the jagged rock. "Fancy meeting you here." He joked. He turned his head to the place he'd jump from. "Call me an expert in you want!" He said. He nudged her playfully.

[Keverne]

"Fancy, indeed." Her voice was laced with wolfish laughter. As an afterthought, she shook, sending drops of water flying onto Rakashan. It failed to dry her own fur completely--it was still damp--but it was good enough. Jaws parting in laughter, she asked, "Do you think there'll be any fish this close to shore, or should we...move out?" Her gaze trained on the waters, stretching far enough that she couldn't see the shore in any direction--unless she looked back at the Isthmus. It gave her the feeling that the Isthmus was all the was out there...and she liked that thought. Grasping it, she held it foremost in her mind. Her tail began to sweep against the rock.

OOC: I'm going to be logging in and out between posts so I can add boards or whatever. Don't think I abandoned you , I'll post right after you do.

[Rakashan]

OOC;
Sorry!

Rakashan couldn't help but laugh along with her. He yelped in surprise when the water landed on him. He didn't shake, since he didn't exactly mind being soaked. "No, I think we should go farther out." He answered. He followed her gaze, and turned to her face and smiled. He leaned close, thinking about licking her cheek. He refrained from doing so and blushed.

[Keverne]

She wagged her tail in agreement, turning to look at him. Her fur brushed his and she blushed, though no wolves could see it through her fur. She turned away, back towards the rest of the stepping stones. "Sure. Let's go."

She walked slowly to the other side of the rock, where it was closer to the next one. That was one good thing about low tide--easier jumps. She tensed her muscles, sinking into a crouch, then sprang. She hit the rock with her front paws, hind legs treading water. She pulled herself up.

When was the last time she'd missed that jump? Low tide makes it easier...

But I'm distracted. I have a reason to be.

She turned back to Rakashan. "Come on! Do you want to fish or just stand there all day?!"

[Rakashan]

Rakashan smiled. He could feel the slightest touch of her fur before she turned away. He shrugged and nodded. "Up up and away." He murmured. He laughed quietly and followed Keverne's lead. He gasped out of pure horror when she slipped and then he smiled again. She was fine.

'You need to stop worrying Rakashan..'

He nodded slowly, still a bit shaken. He crouched and arched his neck. He jumped quickly, without thinking about the chance of falling a made it. His claws made clicking sounds against the wet rock.

[Keverne]

Keverne wagged her tail in welcome. "Let's go over there--" she motioned to the other side of the wide rock with her muzzle--"and see if there's anything to catch."

She padded over, wet hind paws struggling for a grip at first, and settled down. Her head bent, she sat over the water and watched for the telltale flash of a fish. "There's probably nothing big," she added, "but you never know. These slimy creatures like to surprise me." She snorted with laughter, remembering a time when one large fish had jumped from the water and caused her to fall in from fright.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan let his tail hang limp as he slowly made his way to her. He looked down into the water, his reflection just a blur of browns. He smiled and stashed it in his memory. He blinked, and began to look for fishes under the water. He took in a deep breath, leaning closer to the water. He caught balance and whispered, Upcoming fish. He was waiting for the precise moment when, his muzzle shot into the water, catching a medium sized fish. He stood up, fish in mouth. He attempted to smile at Kerevne, and he tried his best to keep the fish alive for a few moments, dipping into the water every few seconds. He wasn't sure if he should let it go or eat it.

[Keverne]

Keverne watched his water-dipping for a moment before saying, "Are you going to eat that, or just play with it?" She wagged her tail, swishing it over the rock. It looked like a good fish. She turned to glance at the water--maybe there were more fish where that one came from--and saw one. She stuck her paw in, and scooped a fair-sized fish from the water onto the rock. It flapped helplessly once before she sank her teeth in, hunger overtaking any other intentions she might have had. Her senses were absorbed in the taste of delicious meat; she savored it, lavishing the meat before a quick swallow. She left the half-eaten fish on the rock, turning to Rakashan.

"If you don't eat yours, you can have the rest of this," she commented, nosing the remains of her own fish. She was tempted to eat the rest of it then and there, but left it, in case Rakashan wanted it.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan smirked and pushed his teeth in the fish, setting it down dead. He licked his lips and bent down to eat his fish, his eyes watching Keverne. He was like a timid cat. He finished his fish, and eyed Keverne's fish. "You can have it." He said. He was going to wait until she bent down to knock her into the water... It was a joking matter. It was time to shrug off the serious. He winked again, sitting on the rock.

[Keverne]

She wagged her tail in gratitude, bending down to eat. She took a bite, eating as slowly as before, deep in thought.

I wonder why Rakashan kept the fish alive?

Maybe he didn't know whether we were going to eat yet.

He might have just not wanted it to die...

If that's the case, wouldn't he think I'm unkind for eating it?

But he ate his!

So? How do you know it's not just to humor you?

Because Rakashan's not like that.

Deep in thought, she bent to take another bite from her fish.

[Rakashan]

Rakashan waited for a minute before speaking. "So, where'd you go after we were done speaking yesterday?" He asked. He was smiling, but the look in his eyes was serious. He tilted his head, not really minding why, but the question had been bugging him.

[Keverne]

Keverne spluttered, a few bits of fish flying across the rock.

"I--well, you know about Kwolenth," she began, looking at him anxiously. "I...passed on the news. About my new Inner wolf. Kwolenth made it official--your ties with the Web of Water are tighter than ever, now, if he still works as fast as he once did..." Keverne let her voice trail off. There were some things about Kwolenth that she could never share, or at least, should never share. Seven Webs was not the best idea to be presenting to Rakashan when he'd only just become Inner wolf. Maybe if he were ever a Center wolf...with her...but not any time soon--probably not. One could never know.

Keverne felt, for a moment, as though a twinge of Kwolenth was prickling at the back of her mind. He'd been said to be able to speak to some wolves, but he never had with her.

Let's keep it that way, she thought. No wolf should know my thoughts...not unless I tell them.

OOC: Rakashan, you have a double post. You should delete one

[Rakashan]

Rakashan smiled. "Oh." He said simply. He stole a glance at the piece of fish an inch away from his paw. He looked up at Keverne and raised his 'eyebrows'. "Sorry to be so nosy, Keverne." He would've asked more, but she didn't want him to know apparently. He gave her a friendly nuzzle, and sighed. He felt closer to Keverne more than he felt closer to Isthmus..

[Keverne]

She wagged her tail. "Don't worry," she said. "Natural curiosity." She glanced at the piece of fish near Rakashan. "Sorry about that," she apologized. "Kwolenth doesn't like questions being asked about him and, apparently, that's contagious." She snorted in laughter, then glanced at Rakashan.

She looked at his fur, thinking about brushing her own against it. She left the idea alone for a question.

"Do you want to catch more fish, or head back?" she asked, head tilted. "There might be something bigger farther on."

[Rakashan]

Rakashan nodded. "I can see that." He said, humor filling his voice. He laughed, and looked into her eyes. "Yes, more fish." He said, still looking. He smiled and tried to look away, with probably looked crazy. He looked like he was trying to get away from an invisible magnet. He stood still for a moment. Her eyes were beautiful

[Keverne]

Keverne blinked under Rakashan's gaze. The strong brown eyes held her there for a long moment before she turned away.

"Sure. Let's go."

She rose to her feet, standing closer to Rakashan than she might normally. Her tan fur brushed his chestnut fur, and she enjoyed that feeling for a moment before crouching and jumping.

She gasped when she realized that she'd judged the distance wrong. It wasn't high tide any more--she was closer than usual. She hit a sharp outcrop on the rock, left hind leg twisting beneath her, yelping with pain.

"By the Web!" she gasped, staggering to her paws. Her leg gave way and she sank back down with a snarl. This was not good, to put it mildly. Keverne's eyes glazed in pain--and in anger at her own stupidity. The first thing every cub learned--always judge the distance. In other words, look before you leap.

[Rakashan]

OOC; Replying to your post from top to bottom.

BIC; Rakashan blinked for a moment, and snapped back to normal. Had she noticed him staring? Oh course she did! He sighed and nodded. "Yes, let's get a move on." He said nervously. He also stood up, and he bit his tounge by acciddent(sp?) when she stood close to him. He would always remember that feeling since it might have been the only one. For a moment, he watched her, and began observing. He was about to say something about her jump when she landed in the water. Without thinking (he was doing that a lot), he plunged muzzle first into the water. Automatically began swimming at full speed, eyes determined. He grabbed her fur with his teeth, making sure it didn't hurt. He began to pull her back onto the rock...

OOC; You should say if she's saved or not.

[Keverne]

Keverne's paws scabbled against the stone and she was pulled up. "Thank you, Rakashan," she gasped, dipping her head in gratitude. "My leg...gave way." She put her weight on it gingerly, inhaling deeply as a twinge of pain shot through it. With a shake of her head, she tried it again; this time it left her alone. Her tail wagged slightly, as she glanced at Rakashan. Admiration shot through her--probably showing in my eyes, she thought. She allowed her tail to wag a bit stronger to show her thanks.

[Rakashan]

OOC; I've decided to go back to my old font.

Rakashan definitely saw the look in her eyes. He flashed her a radiant smile and nodded. "No problem, Keverne." He replied. "My only wish is to serve you, remember?" He said. He took a moment to take in the gratitude and sat down, realizing he was nearly exhausted. He shook his head mentally and calmed down, taking a deep breath. "Are you okay?" He asked, referring to her leg.[/size]

[Keverne]

She tested her leg, but again it was fine. "It should be all right," she replied, watching her haunches shift to transfer her weight from one side to both. She shot a glance up at Rakashan and turned again. "Maybe...maybe we should head back," she suggested. Her leg shuddered, as though in protest. "I'm not all too sure if I can jump--a jolt of weight probably wouldn't help," Keverne admitted. Worthless babbling, she thought. You're just diverting your thoughts from the 'serve you' thing.

Stop it. I don't like voices in my head. Leave me alone.

It's fun to bother you.

Fun? Wha--what the heck are you?

A voice in your head! To the wolf's immense annoyance, the voice sounded amused.

A voice in my head. Very original.

Fine. But you wouldn't believe it if you knew.

Try me.

'I,' as you would put it, am your StoneSayer's Stones.

The wolf gave herself a mental shake. Impossible. The Stones didn't talk, especially not to her. Never to her. She diverted her thoughts again, this time toward Rakashan.

"Should...should we go back?" she asked. Swimming should take her mind off things.

OOC: Yeah, there's a plot attached to this...

[Rakashan]

OOC; Coolness.

BIC; Rakashan nodded. "I think so too, maybe we could go somewhere else." He said, shrugging. "I'm sure it wouldn't." He said, grinnning. "Yes, we should." He answered. He whipped her chin with his tail. "Look at me for once." He teased.

[Keverne]

She looked up at Rakashan, his scent still lingering with her. "I'm looking," she said, tail wagging. "Just...thinking while I do."

Ooh, great comeback.

If you are the Stones, you'll shut up!

Keverne felt a bit annoyed at this voice. Why did it bother her? Why not someone else? If any wolf, it should bother Kwolenth. But no-o-o. By the Web of Water, they couldn't just leave her alone, could they?

They. Now it's a they. I am believing the voices in my head!

She looked at Rakashan again, making sure he saw her gaze. She stepped gingerly to the end of the rock, by the water, where not long ago she'd been struggling to get out. Now she was probably going to have to struggle to get in. She sighed quietly, hoping Rakashan wouldn't notice, and turned sideways. This was something she'd always wanted to do, but had always been told she would get hurt: she fell, sideways, into the water, landing hard.

Her forelegs swam hard towards the shore. Keverne's right hind leg contributed its own paddling, but she tried not to move the left. Occasionally, the attempt failed and it would twitch, sometimes once, sometimes multiple times. It would send a twinge of pain jolting up the bone to her spine, but it gradually lessened. Keverne felt tired enough to have gone all the way to shore; lifting her head, she saw that she'd only just passed one of the rocks. She veered and turned her course to the first rock from the shore. Resting her forelegs on it, she took the time to breathe steadily and look for Rakashan.

[Twilight]

Ooc: Do you mind if I join you?

[Keverne]

OOC: I don't know...maybe if you wait on the shore or something, that might work. Let's see what Rakashan thinks.

[Rakashan]

OOC; That'd be fine.

BIC; Rakashan chuckled. "Fine, if you say so." He murmured. He did in fact, see her gaze."Are sure you want to-" He started but was interrupted by the sound of her in the water. "Don't you realize I just saved you from out the water?" He joked. He sighed as she had, and jumped in to follow her. He'd dived so he felt no impact. He lifted his head about the surfaCe and smiled at Keverne. "I will race you to the shore!" He exclaimed. Before she could reply he was kicking his legs and he was on his way. "C'mon slow poke!" He teased.