Darlin' {River}

[Deleted]

| Lochan trotted quickly through the snow, shaking his head every once a while to get rid of snow. It was a beautiful place.  The waterfall flowed down the mountain into a pool at the bottom. It would be a perfect place for fishing or bathing in the warmer seasons, but for now it was pretty much only good for sightseeing. The only part that still flowed was the waterfall and a small part near where the water fell, the movement preventing it from freezing over. Still, he could hear small prey scuttling around in the snow, enough to entertain.

"You alright back there, darlin' ?" he called back to River, the teal femme which he had brought along with him from their last location.

@artimis

[Deleted]

River

"Perfectly fine." She called back. The snow was beginning to cling to her paws and every so often she would have to stop and shake them off. She broke into a short jog until she was shoulder to shoulder with Lochan. Her traveling buddy at the moment. She still wondered about his tail. Which was missing to say the least.

After hearing the rush of the falls she quickened her pace. Where there's water there's food. Her ears perked as the scuffles and scratches of tiny morsels filled the air. Her stomach growled loudly. She smiled at Lochan and pranced ahead with her none in the air sniffing.

[Deleted]

| "What do you plan on going for?"



Lochan sniffed the air, ignoring the burn of the cold in his nose. It was mostly small rodents, or maybe a hare or two here or there. The rodents were small and slow, were difficult to spot because of size, but their dark colors made it easier. Winter hare's were medium and white. They would provide more food, but moved incredibly fast.



He stepped over to the pond, putting the full weight of his two front feet on it. The ice seemed sturdy enough, so he walked across the wide pond and stood below the overhang.

[Deleted]

River

She pondered his question as she slowly padded through the snow. Lochan walked out onto the ice and she kept one gray eye trained on him. Just in case the ice failed to support him. She paused and leaned down trying to get eye level with the landscape. A rabbit was ideal but she struggled to see them.

A small crack, almost inaudible made her whip her head around. River wasn't even sure she heard it. She leapt up and bounded over. She didn't want to look to like she was worrying about nothing. But she decided to find prey from a closer distance to the dark pelted wolf.

[Deleted]

| Lochan's ears twitched at the small crack he heard. He could tell River heard it too, but he payed little attention to it. He watched her worry unnecessarily, and lent forward to nuzzle the scruff on her neck.

"Don't worry, darlin'. I can swim." he snickered in amusement. Just for show, he marched in place a couple of times on the ice, liking the way she worried.

[Deleted]

River

"You'll swim till hypothermia sets in." She retorted. His glee was evident. She flattened her ears and gave him "the look". Her hackles raising when he bounced on the ice. He gave her a nuzzle and she returned with a short growl. She enjoined his attention. River sniffed the ice one more time. She gave him a soft nip on the ear for being so reckless. Turning she resumed her search.

[Deleted]

| He whined playfully, going to pounce on her. Suddenly, he stopped marching in place, his ears pricking and his body going still. He heard the soft rustle of snow and leaves, and turned his attention to the sound. Narrowing his eyes, he could see a white fluffy shape, with it's beady black eyes, just minding it's own business. He nudged River and gestured towards the hare, staying as silent as possible.

[Deleted]

River

River heard his whine and snickered. But his snap to attention made her turn her head. His nudge confirmed her suspicions. A large lump of snow with eyes and feet was shuffling around. River dropped her shoulders and waited for Lochan's signal.

[Deleted]

| For a second, Lochan was tempted to go after it himself, but he was too out of balance to catch such a small, fast animal. However, Rain was small and lean, probably a fast runner. She was more suited to this than he was. He waited until the hare was distracted, foraging quietly though the snow for any food. He nodded his head at River and mouthed the word 'fast'.

[Deleted]

River

Fast? River could go fast. She darted forward in a streak of teal and tan. The white rabbit squealed in alarm but she was almost on top of it. It lashed out with its powerful hind legs as it tried to run. It caught River's shoulder but she ignored the sting and snarled as she skidded in front of it. With the she-wolf blocking the path the rabbit hesitated. Too bad. River killed it with a swift blow to the neck.

River walked back to Lochan in triumph with the white animal in her jaws. She dropped it in front of him. "Tada!" She sang with a grin.

[Deleted]

| Lochan was surprised just how fast River could go. She shot away like a blur, and returned nearly as quick. He grinned and opened his mouth to praise her, but an unfamiliar crack sounded beneath him. Looking down, he saw the ice beneath them begin to spiderweb. He snatched up the rabbit in his jaws and nudged River with his forehead, trying to tell her to hurry off the ice. He wouldn't go unless she was safe.

[Deleted]

River

River heard the stomach turning crack. She chanced a look down. The spiderweb crack was inching outwards! Lochan snatched the rabbit and was pushing her with his head. She turned and started across the ice quickly. Keeping and ear out for Lochan right behind her. She set her paw down for another step and it went through. For a terrifying moment she lost her balance. Thankfully she got it back in time to right herself and step around the hole. Her paw soaking wet and cold. Make it off the ice! She thought.

[Deleted]

| Lochan watched River fall, then right herself. On a whim, he shoved her hard in order to make her slide faster across the ice. He then sped up, trying to reach the land before he fell in. Hypothermia wasn't something you could cure in the middle of winter.

[Deleted]

River

Lochan's push sent made River skid a bit but it did help going faster. She looked behind them, chunks of ice were coming loose. She started to jog but noticed the ice Lochan was on was pulling away! River rushed forward and grabbed him by the scruff and hauled him sideways. Panting she let go and continued briskly walking to shore. They weren't very far now and were going to make it!

[Deleted]

| Lochan felt himself falling, the cold water touching his paws and soon higher up. Then he felt himself being hauled up by River. He wondered where she got the strength to pull him up by the scruff of his neck, but that wasn't important right now. As soon as his feet hit solid ground, he dropped the rabbit, whirled around, and pulled River with him the rest of the way. His head swam and he could faintly hear a low familiar voice, calling his name. Shaking his head, he realized he had no time for his hallucinations, and nuzzled River's cheek.

"Are you alright?"