Ocean of Memories (Sylva/OPEN)

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] After a full day of patrolling for his Alphess, Lio had decided to do some traveling for his own sake of pleasure. After all, what good was having half his body suited to the water if he never got to visit places that brought utter joy? So it was, that he followed his own pack borders north until he had reached the cliffs of Yvit Cove. Here his nose could take in the salt smell of his surroundings, and his heart sang from the pure joy of the large body of water he could look down on. It would be hard climbing the cliffs, even without his tail, and so he decided it may be better to skirt around the cliffs and enter from the sparse forest, to then go down to the water. It was late afternoon when he had finally avoided the cliffs, and falling to his own peril and had navigated through the few trees that made up the nearby beach forest. He now stood on the sandy banks of the beach, watching the blue sky over the waters, the continuous roll of the waves mimicking his heart beat. As a Cael he would never be able to be away from water too long, and the clearer albeit saltier waters made him happy for the change from the murky waters of the swamp. Slowly, almost tantalizingly slow he walked into the direction of the water. The waves receded, and he had close to only two seconds to take a breath in before he was engulfed by water and the change began the instant the water touched his pelt. A small moan of pain managed to escape his lips as he pushed himself into the water halfway through the transformation. Underneath the water, his eyes shut slowly as his legs merged together, bones cracking and muscles merging into the tail that would carry him safely through the water. Finally, after he moved what were his legs from side to side his tail answered, the bright blues and mixed greens were bright, even beneath the water the scales glittered like jewels. As his head and front paws managed to surface, his fur slicked back against his head, the brighter blues seemed like streaks now, the flecks blurring together in what seemed like lines. With the sun shining down on his he couldn’t help but paddle into the shore with the waves. He rose the crashing water and dipped below just as the wave broke riding into the turbulent water below. A few moments later he would resurface just to swim back and do it again. Since he saw no other creature around, no other Cael in the water, his head tipped back and the beautiful sing-song melody that he used to be so used to in his youth rang out over the waters. He saw in those few long moments for what seemed like an eternity to him. He was a creature of beauty and symphony and to keep that part of him closed off and unavailable was hard, even soul darkening. His heart longed for the company of other Cael, even though he was content with his time with Dreamith and the other pack mates he had met his heart longed for what was. It would seem he was lazily drifting in and out with the waves, soon land was not even visible to him anymore, but he truly could not find a reason to care. He had dipped beneath the water and blew a few bubbles here and there as he watched fish swim beneath him and crabs scuttle across the floor with other creatures. He couldn’t help but listen to the fact that his stomach had taken note of the other creatures just as much as his eyes. Perhaps it was time to grab a meal on the fly…or rather on the fin..

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] Her decision to join a pack had been something of a split second idea, an idea that she still didn’t know whether she was happy with or whether she resented it. The pack was nice enough, it was peaceful and she was treated respectfully but still she could not help but feel that her decision was somewhat rash. She loved her duty though, she loved having to help others and look after them and care for them. It was a sort of release in many senses, her duty in this life was of course to give others what they wanted. Since she had woken that one morning her body had ached for the touch of water, she had been avoiding this moment since she had joined the pack because she couldn’t stay in the water forever anymore and the pain of leaving it prevented her from even wanting to enter it. By instinct alone that morning she made her way down to the river and stared at it. She wanted the ocean but she wasn’t sure if the river would take her to it. And so that was how her journey began. It had been three days since she had left Lumera valley, it would take her merely three days to get back. This journey of course was all carried on land and so navigating its treacherous nooks and crannies had tired her. A week away from the pack would do no harm and she wasn’t needed for anything at the moment. Her logic was perfectly sound, yet as per usual when she decided to do something for herself she felt guilty. Her life was not supposed to revolve around herself. All through the journey her mind raged with the emotions of guilt and the wish to do something for herself. The journey itself was rather uneventful; she had never spent this much time on land. She saw many animals and her ability to walk on her hind legs seemed to be getting better and better with each step. She hunted at the end of each day, catching small prey and leaving the remaining carcass for whatever hungry animal found it. She rarely stopped for anything besides food and sleep, with each day that passed her body ached more for the salty texture of the water. When she neared the ocean her mind stilled, its smell seemed to control her and she walked on towards it as if possessed. Nothing changed her course, until she came to the cliff. Her body slumped as she saw the distance from where she was to the ocean below, she would jump but it was too high and nothing good would come of that. So she sat, studying the cliff face for a way to get closer to the water and once she found one she was once again possessed. She climbed until she reached a suitable height, one that would not kill her if she leapt off. While climbing she had slipped many times, she had cuts minor scratches and a small cut on her hind leg plus bruises aplenty. With this in mind she leapt. Angling her body so that she looked almost like a half moon, only after the change and the few minutes of simply lying in the water did she take note of her surroundings. She was shocked that she had not noticed them before, and glad that she had not simply dived in anywhere. The main ocean would have knocked her against the rocks before the change had even been complete. Her obsession only then came to light and she could not help but chuckle. She was Cael, the urge for water was normal and the fact that she had craved it so badly she had switched off to all but it was hardly surprising. She was glad that despite her new life she was still one of her own species. She was surrounded by a cove, a rather large one but safe none-the-less. With her surroundings taken into place she began to enjoy the water, her guilt even though it was still present seemed to have subsided. She would deal with it later. As she swam the sound of another Cael wafted over the waters. She was not as mesmerised by the other’s voice as land wolves would be but she still enjoyed the song. She studied him from a distance, considering how to approach.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] Lio had doubled back towards the shoreline again, looking to ride the waves some more before he gave in to his need to eat and possible gorge himself on the ocean life that surrounded him. He worked on swimming quickly, speeding through the water and then jumping upwards and near flying over the water. The sensation of flying over the water and the splash of his descent made him yip with joy. In the times when no one was looking he was rather playful. It was as he neared the water that he saw another wolf on the lower cliffs jump into the water. His eyes opened wide and he pushed himself over waves to try to make it over to the cove where the wolf would surface. He did not know the other wolf was a Cael, and would not have been hurt by the fall, he assumed it was a regular wolf who had lost their footing, or worse wanted to end it all.. Pushing his body to it’s limit he rose his head above the water, frantically looking for the other wolf. It was not until he dove under the water and began to swim around the cove’s borders that he ran into a rather suspicious looking tail…the tail of what seemed to be a swordfish and was that…fur? His eyes widened underwater and bubbles were flung to the surface as he jumped to find the head of this particular Cael. Coming upwards to the surface, he turned his body around by padding until he faced the other Cael, maybe ten feet away, the turning water lifting and dropping them gently. He stared at her for a long moment, her tail was larger than his own even, and much differently colored and he was intrigued. It seemed exactly when he wanted to spend more time with Cael, MORE Cael actually showed up. The thought of being able to summon more Cael was a hearty one, and his tongue hung out of his mouth in humor. He would save her the thinking of how to approach since the water was carrying him closer to her with the gentle movement of the waves. He slapped the water with a paw as he spoke to her, “Greetings, I must say it is refreshing to see another Cael face in these waters, simply makes swimming all the more pleasant…” He was trying to think if she was a member of Quesse Anar, but her scent differed from his and even if the scent was dulled, he knew the area from which she hailed last at least and that would be Children’s territory. He believed in his migration to find a pack he had passed by their territory but it just did not ring true to his heart to remain in that place, and he was happy where he was. The swamp lands had a charm that he had not found anywhere else, beautiful flowers, waters to cool in, neat places to hide and make dens and even better, he had made other Cael friends there. He did not know how many other Cael there around the different areas but those without water had lesser chances of keeping Cael healthy and happy. He swam in small circles around the cove and then turned back to her, dipping under the water and swishing his tail against the air and then dipping into the water again. When he came up, his fur was slicked back but he spoke to her. “Pardon me most definitely if you wanted alone time in this beautiful landscape I will most certainly leave you to it. I would be happy to leave you to privacy but happier to keep you company and perhaps have a swimming partner..” The offer was neutral but he wadded in the water until he received an answer, his eyes darted to the fish around them, okay so he was hungry, it wasn’t a crime to eat…was it?

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] The approaching was taken out of her hands as the other noticed her; even if he himself had decided not to approach the ocean had other ideas. He was been pushed towards her as he himself studied her. He didn’t seem to be menacing or dangerous in any way, but then again he was Cael so that could mean he was going to be friendly despite whatever fact could stop that. His words were refined, almost dignified sounding in a way, she was much more simple. She would have greeted with a Hello or hey or even hi. It made her glad that she had not been the first to approach him. She hadn’t seen any other Cael in a long time, so maybe this was how she was supposed to communicate with others of her own species? Maybe this was the norm, she couldn’t remember it ever been like this but none-the-less she decided it was just best to communicate with him more formally. “It is nice to see another Cael, it has been a long time since I had that opportunity.”She smiled at him, she was calm. She was simply floating in the water letting its flow and ebb renew her. “It would be much nicer to have a swimming partner than to swim alone, a wolf enjoys company” She chuckled at the idea of her sending him away to be alone with the water. As if she and the water were secret lovers or something of the sort. “I am Sylvanine, but I am called Sylva by most, may I ask your name?” She said, following his gaze to the fish. She seemed to have a good idea of what was going through his head at the moment, “That seems like a good idea.” OOC:: The fact that I am starving while writing this post makes those fish seem all the more tantalising.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] ((Don’t talk to me about hungry..I don’t even like fish and my mouth is watering at the idea of food…xD)) Lio was the good guy, and though he knew there were plenty of bad guys out there, he simply did not have it in him to purposely use or abuse anyone. Now his own nature may have brought about actions that were seen as less than savory but that could hardly be seen as purposeful on his end of things. Lio saw himself as a provider and a protector, of many, being tied down to anything less than a pack was unusual for him. He loved socializing and being close to many people at many times. It made him unique in his mind. In a world of loners and wolves who wanted nothing but their space, he was always there with a shoulder, ready to get a meal, or help in any way. The sound of her voice, even the pleasure and formal way she spoke told him that at least his company was wanted, desired, and so he did not feel bad for not fighting the ocean when it brought him closer to her. He watched her as the water moved them both in some light-hearted dance of rising and falling, circling, and becoming closer and then further away. He couldn’t help but see the humor in the fact that they were basically dancing while introducing themselves. She had a humorous look on her face and even though he knew she approved of having company, he had to wonder what was so funny. However he left it alone to the privacy of her thoughts, just as he had with his own thoughts of dancing. “Sylva, it is wonderful to make your acquaintance, my name is Nelio, but many call me Lio. I am honored and consider myself privileged to share this small piece of paradise with you today..” Even though she captured much of his attention, he would be a liar if his eyes did not stray and wander to the fish swimming around their lower bodies, avoiding the rocks and being slapped against them but tantalizingly close any way. His mouth was near watering with the thought and he nodded enthusiastically. “It seems like the perfect idea…” With that he dipped under the water and began to chase this and that fish, their colors mingling with his own as they raced through the depths, the fish darting back and forth, trying to dissuade his attempts with other fish and even rocks. However, just as he was going to chomp on one fish, a larger fish sprang from it’s hiding place and his jaws closed over it’s tail instead of the other’s. He wouldn’t say he was disappointed by the larger meal, and began to swim towards the surface. His teeth and paws came together to hold the fish and begin to chew and break the fish apart while his tail kept him afloat. His pose reminded him of other animals he had seen in his travels, little brown animals who swam on the back while they held their meal in their claws. It was not an unpleasant way to eat as far as he was concerned. He was halfway through the fish when he began to look for Sylva to see if she had had as much luck as he had…

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] She grinned as he dove, heading straight for the food source. His methods were rather different to hers. She was a little bit slyer when hunting while he attacked the hunt head on. She watched him for a few seconds as he swam with the hundreds of colours below. Her attention soon drifted to the colours and she remembered that she herself was also supposed to be getting lunch. With that she dove, swimming as far down as she could go, her eyes then studied the food above as she picked out a small school of something that looked like tuna. Their silver scales flickered in the light from above and she was well aware that her existence had momentarily ended as she studied them. She sat for a few minutes, deciding on how best to go about getting lunch. The school began to move away from Lio as he ate his own catch. Her eyes narrowed at the fish. Her tail was powerful enough to stun the school of fish if she swam fast enough, if she swam fast enough and accurately enough and the fish didn’t notice her she would be able to catch one without much hard work. But she doubted the fact that they would notice her. If that were even a possibility she would have to swim all the way around them which would make her disappearance much longer. The first plan was much more ideal. She dove a bit deeper and swam further away from the school they were going in the opposite direction of her which made her life much easier. They wouldn’t see her coming. She grinned as she came to a stop and got ready for the attack, hunting like this always filled her with adrenaline. With a flick of the tail she was off. With each wave she sped up. Her sail kept her balance as she pressed her legs against her body so that she could go faster. Seconds later she reached the school, the tried to scatter but as she swung her tail it beat water on them. She leapt out of the water slightly, landing on her side directly on the school. A few seconds later she had picked a fish and finished the job. The rest of the school that had been caught in her attack were beginning to come out of their dazed state and as soon as they realised what had happened they zoomed off. Disappearing as she had earlier. She grinned at Lio and then she ate.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] There was something so wonderful about this beach, not only did the natural salts in the ocean do wonders for his scales and fur, removing any debris from the swamp, the waves relieved his muscles of the constant dragging around he had to do there. Not to mention he always met such interesting wolves when he traveled to different places. The water beating off the rocks sounded like the waterfall he had had as a child, and he supposed the nostalgia is what kept him coming back, time and time again. He was floating and rocking on his back, enjoying his food, not feeling the need to watch or judge the other wolf’s hunting style. But when she re-surfaced with what looked like an enjoyable, delicious tuna it was obvious she was successful. He smiled at her too, and much eating ensued between them. He crunched through bone, his tongue moving from side to side. His body was adept at removing bones, and the few he did eat, would easily be digested. Soon though his paws were empty and he splashed around in the water here and there, enjoying the sound and of course the feeling of being clean. For one such as him who lived in the swamp, it may have been unusual but he had held onto habits of cleanliness since he was younger. It was imperative for males to keep themselves looking good. Perhaps the sin of pride. His eyes went to her and he smiled, seeing she was near to being done with her prize catch lunch as well. “So, where are you from originally, you smell like a pack north of the cove, but have you always lived with them?” Lio could not help but be curious with anyone who with whom he ran in to. He was just dying to know if the family she had grown up with had fins just like hers, as she was the first Cael he had met with a swordfish’s fins. He looked out over the horizon of water, with the sun warming them and beating down on the rolling waves. “I think it’s beautiful here, I think its probably why I spend as much time as I do to come back time and time again. What about you..?” He was simply thinking out loud to her, but it was natural for Lio to come back after a long time of thinking out loud. It was a part of his romantic charm for most females was that he was constantly seeing the beauty and truth in things and other wolves. Looking back to her, the water reflecting off his eyes it was as though he was seeing her for the first time..

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] As she ate the adrenaline faded and her heart slowed. She enjoyed the fish, there was nothing better than an ocean fish. It reminded her of her childhood and the fish her parents used to bring home to their offspring. It reminded her of sunny days floating far out into the ocean playing games like tag and whatever else they wanted to. She finished off the fish and her attention turned from her memories back to Leo. ”I belong to the Children of Hvítur Ári as of recently. It was a split second decision of course. I have never been part of a pack before. I grew up in the ocean with my family.” She smiled, the memories now fading back to the recess from where they had come. ”And yourself?” For once she was forced to think about the ocean, why did she always come back here? Why was she constantly thinking about the ocean, it was as if this very in and out of the tide was part of her. Somewhere deep inside that not even she could actively access. Maybe it was the fact that she was Cael? Plain water was not enough even if it was flowing. She needed the flow and ebb of the tide to calm her, it was her. She was the ocean just as every Cael was. Maybe it was because the ocean was free unlike the flowing river. Rivers were restricted to land same as lakes and ponds. She looked away from him and at the ocean. ”I come here because I am Cael, Cael are part of the ocean”She continued to stare out at the water, a look of longing crossing her face as she thought of childhood. There weren’t many Cael who called the ocean home nowadays. They had all become land creatures. She wished that there was an ocean pack out there somewhere, or even her family. But for now she was stuck with land. She turned back to him. A calm grin crossing her face.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] It would seem that they both were enjoying their meal to the highest degree. He found that the fish of the ocean had much more taste, maybe it was the natural salt in the reefs and seaweed that they fed on, but regardless he liked the taste and would probably find himself eating more before he left and possibly taking a few home with him. He felt gluttonous but it just was not the same as swamp fish and other life that he fed on. Granted some of his meals in the swamp were more rich and sweet due to the different flowers and nectars within the swamp, but this was a nice change. He listened intently as she told him what pack she was from and a little more about herself, which he was happy to know. The more people you knew and were connected to the richer your life and he believed in his heart that was true amongst the Cael community. So rare was it to find different packs of Cael actually warring with each other. When she said that she had grown up actually in the ocean with her family, he might have turned green with envy. “You were very lucky to grow up in such a beautiful place. It is a nice thought to think that all Cael are part of the ocean, but I just recently, within the past year came into contact with the ocean, and I find myself already addicted..” When she asked him about himself and where he was from he sighed for a long moment and looked out over the horizon. My family and I lived in a beautiful forest, near a large waterfall. We used to jump off the top as youngsters and practice our swimming in the underwater channels. But..the water coming from the falls dried up, and we were forced out of our home. It was then after much traveling we came to the ocean….” There he stopped speaking, it was not appropriate to share your pain on a first meeting. “I suppose because we are part of that which resides in the water we are called to all sources from rivers, to the ocean, even to the swamps where I live..” He rose and fell with the waves of the water and looked at her. “How long were you going to indulge in this fine scenery?” He wished he could stay much longer than just one day or a night but his duties would call. Being beta of the Clan came with welcoming new members and watching the water rise to dangerous lows. “What do you do for The Children? Hunt, guard, do you greet new members?” He couldn’t help but feel curious as to what other members in different packs. Things were different from area to area, and he was sure there were dangers in the valleys, meadows and tundra just as they were to the swamp. It would not have occurred to him to spy on any other pack, to him this was just polite, curious conversation. He slapped his tail in the water, gently splashing her, playfully even. The mischief on his face was plain, even if he was curious about her, and waiting for her answers.

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] The water bobbed her up and down as she listened to him, her head kept firmly in place while the waves moved her body to and fro. Her fin was caught between been as still as her head and moving with her tail and paws. Her tail moved against the waves keeping her in one position while her paws moved up and down keeping her balanced. He fin also kept her somewhat balanced but because of how the waves were hitting her it worked more against her than with her. She frowned at the story from his past, her mind already painting pictures of the falls he had come from, “I am sorry about that” she said softly, wondering what she would have done had her home been removed from her. She would have wondered just as she had those first few weeks of becoming a land creature, a feeling of desolation coursing through her veins. His was obviously worse than what hers had been. She still had somewhere to go back to if things didn’t work out. “Probably just for the day, tomorrow morn I will head back home” She said looking out at the horizon, a feeling of sadness filled her at having to leave her birthplace again. She sighed, the sadness was tainted with the fear of having to undergo the change back to a land creature. It was painful and she hated it even though she loved what it brought her. She often went out of her way to avoid changing to her water form just because of the pain changing to the land one would bring. She looked back at him smiling, if only there were a water pack of something like it. “I look after the young, old and treat any in need of healing. Well that is what I am supposed to do, there is not much to do at the moment. There are no sick, no young and although there are old most of them are fully able or have caretakers so I am told.” She grinned, her sorrow gone. In all honesty she loved her job. She loved helping others and looking after them. She loved making sure they were alright. It made her feel worthy of life. She had ignored the previous splash, her mind trying to figure out a subtle way of getting back at him and when she finished talking the same mischievous grin crossed her face. She was debating whether she should splash him and make a run for it or whether she should dive, disappearing for a few seconds before nipping his tail. Within seconds she decided on the first, keeping the second for another time. With a swift movement she splashed him back and dove, chuckling as she did. After reaching a suitable depth she watched him to see what his reaction would be, she was ready to make a bolt into the deeper ocean if he decided to carry on with the game.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] He could not lie, he was truly enjoying her company. Lio found himself with way to much extra time on his paws lately, it made for much more time to explore surrounding areas and find out wolves who he could befriend or speak to. He probably should have stayed within his own pack and got to know the other members but it just didn’t seem to interest him. For a long moment he wondered if with all the traveling he did do, if it was in fact a good decision to join a pack at all. Soon of course he chastised himself for even thinking that way. Sun had given him a good rank, trusted him with responsibilities and the pack’s safety and he should be thankful for that. He supposed he was just feeling that things were just..to different from the way his original pack was. “It’s okay….we all grow and change with what happens from our past.” That was true, even though it did not soothe the ache in his heart. Should he have been home, and back with his first family he wondered where he would be now. Would he have found a mate? Perhaps not just one, perhaps he would have had a litter of pups by now, or two. In his home, he would not have to worry about jealous females, or having to travel more than half a day to get to a large open water source and cliffs to jump off of. His heart sang out with his pain of the loss. Now he was in a new pack with new members he did not know. As they floated there together within the salty water he tried to ease the thoughts so he could not continue feeling pain. He listened to her say she would probably leave the next morning to go back to her own territory..he thought it might be a nice idea to sit on the cliffs, and watch the stars, swim over the seas in the dark. Yes he had convinced himself to remain here at least until the morning. He did not so much have a problem changing into his landform, it was annoying, the pain and the time it took to dry and reform after every sprinkle of water. It was inconvenient to say the least. He smiled as she told him what she did for her own pack, a healer. It was a more than admirable position within a pack. The small pups were the future of the pack and any member who could heal other members, and take care of the elderly and pups made him think more of her. The Children were close to the Clan it seemed like when it comes to different positions and helping out the other members to make sure the pack thrived. He had not run into that many wolves from other packs, so he could not say he was an expert on other pack structures, but so far it was good to know she came from a caring pack like he did. He tried to dodge to the left as she splashed him but she still ended up getting him wetter if that was even possible. He could see her muscles tense within the water as she intended to spring, either to dive or swim away as fast possible before he tried to get her again….his eyes turned to a devious darker shade as he considered how to get her back and continue the game on, however she had chosen to dive and watch him from below. He had a moments thought where he should take off toward the island, and in a split second shot off at top speed toward the island. He pushed down with his tail harder than before, swishing the water against her even from a distance. It was like an underwater shove and he happily jumped in the air and continued to swim for the island, knowing he had had a head start…

[micci]

[atrb=width,450,true][bg=6c7288] Despite his efforts to hide his pain it was still evident in not only his words but his body language. It made her own heart hurt to think that another felt pain, it was disastrous to lose ones family. She watched him from below, a grin spread across her face as she waited. Games always helped with pain, and even if they didn’t they hid the pain for a while. A little bit of joy always helped with a lot of pain. She was momentarily shocked as he darted of towards the island, she did not fight against the waves as she was knocked over. Was he angry with her? Didn’t he like the game? When he leapt into the air her grin reappeared and she darted after him. She was a fast swimmer, it made up for her lack of strength but even with her speed it took a while to catch up to him. He had gained a rather large head start from his initial blast and her confusion. She strained herself, beating her tail so much that her muscles ached from disuse. She had not swum this fast or this long in a long time. It was good to have a Cael companion. When she eventually caught up to him she swam next to him, grinning at him as she strained to get ahead. This was of course a race and she wasn’t going to let him beat her unless she had to. Every muscle ached as she pushed herself, looking ahead once again to the island ahead. She was breathing quite fast, she was unfit. A short distance from the island she came to a standstill letting her muscles rest while she tried to get her breath. She couldn’t carry on. She was surprised by how unfit she was. She rose to the surface and looked at him. “A few months back I woulda beaten you” She said laughing.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] Lio did not mean to be such a downer to their good day but the past was something that shaped every aspect of his current life. He happily found himself back in the present and listening for her. While his mind was entangled in the game he found himself to be free and enjoyed the gentle scrape of salt against his tail and pelt, and the lull of the water around him. Soon enough though they were speeding off toward the island, and he smiled deviously, he had gotten the head start and he had no intentions of wasting it. By the looks of her tail she would have no problems catching up to him and possibly beating him to the island. It made him want it more. Naturally competitive? Of course not. He could feel the water not only separating between his body and the air but he could feel her disturbing the water behind him. He pushed the muscles in his tail harder, flexing almost as his tried to squish himself while in the air to become more aerodynamic and move faster as he hit the water. He was completely convinced the island was further but at the rate they were going they would reach it in no time. He was delighted with his new friend and the game they were playing. It was like a small sliver of his childhood had been given back to him. He knew it was just a matter of time until she caught up with him and before much time had elapsed they were swimming side by side. As they hit the air he managed to stick his tongue out of his mouth at her and suck it in before they hit the water again. He knew she meant to win but his maleness simply would not let him lose, not without all his energy completely spent. He noticed just when they were close, she had stopped and wanted to catch her breath. For a moment just as he reached the shallow water he thought she was with him. He turned and immediately swam back, although a bit slower considering his energy was dwindling from pushing himself so far…”Are you hurt…” He actually came closer to sniff and poke the part of her that was above water just to be sure. Call it the knight in shining armor complex. When she spoke and grinned, and even laughed, having caught her breath he laughed with her. “Well that was a couple of months ago..” He waded in the water with her, his muscles crying out for rest, not that he would ever tell her that. He looked at the island and the sandbar which was thankfully there for any wolf that had to walk to it, or were not lucky enough to have a tail. He smirked and looked at her, “If you were going to spend the night here, might I suggest we spend it on the island, watching the stars?” It would involve them drying out if they stayed completely out, but who said they could have their tails in the waves and being laying down watching the glittering lights? Moving ahead with his idea he began to slowly make his way to the beach of Talon Island, just relishing the site in front of him…