Navigation/exploration post 1

Hanako panted softly as she waded ashore, her legs throbbing with each step. Normally she would try to avoid getting herself all soggy and tired, but the aches that riddled her legs were actually quite satisfying, like proof of a job well done. From the mainland the island hadn't seemed so far away, perhaps a half an hour swim at most, but the waves were stronger than she'd anticipated, forcing her to grit her teeth and push hard as the tide tried to drag her back to shore. But despite all the risks she'd made it. The childish, impulsive, part of her wanted to turn back around and do it all over again but she quickly shooed away that thought with a shake of her head. What was the point of swimming to a desert island if she wasn't even going to explore? It'd be like catching a fish just to throw it back into the water, a damn waste of time if you asked her.

Water dripped from her fur as she made her way up the beach towards the glassy ruins ahead. As with the rest of the world nature had it's way of claiming back what was hers, smothering man-made structures with greenery and foliage till it fit almost seamlessly into her design. As Hanako approached she couldn't help but wonder what it had been for, or if it had any purpose at all. She'd never been told about humans or their past civilisations, so as far as she was concerned the world was littered with the remnants of nameless, faceless beings she couldn't possibly hope to understand. Not that she cared too much anyway, since she wasn't much of a scholar.

Instead she approached the large shattered window, carefully stepping over the glass as she climbed up so that her front paws rested against the overhang. Like a peeping tom she poked her head, her tail wagging in anticipation of whatever was hidden within.

Eyes roam over the unidentified building that Meadow finds herself standing before. She had traveled from the Armada’s territory to this island in search of herbs for her little stash. However, once the swim was behind her and she found this loaming structure in front of her, the thrill of an adventure took hold. Stepping carefully around broken shards of glass, Meadow leaps effortlessly through the gap in a window and lands soundlessly on the other side. She can be very light on her feet, when she wants to be. Mouth hangs open as she looks around the inside of the building, trying to imagine what this place could have been used for. The room is huge and littered with broken, decaying objects. Dirt, grass and flowers poke up through the once solid wood flooring. Now a shadow of its former self, holes scatter the walls and ceiling, allowing the light and air to filter in freely. As she moves to take a step forward, a scent suddenly fills Meadow nostrils. Someone else has made the swim to this place and they are from the Armada. The wet smell of the other wolf and the flowers that are blooming in the room work to cover the identity of who the other wolf is. It is probably Resin, following her to make sure she doesn’t get into trouble. An idea forms and a mischievous smirk plays across her lips. Resin is approaching the window Meadow had leaped through, so the small wolf hunkers down, slinking under the lip of the sill. When Resin looks through the hole, Meadow will leap up and greet her. Holding in a laugh, she waits until the paw steps stop, allowing her sister a moment to peek through before suddenly springing up from her hiding place and shouting, “Hello!” as loudly as she can. Almost face to face, Meadow’s eyes round in shock as she is greeted, not by Resin’s face but a white one. Black, brown and orange splash the wolf’s face, right between glassy blue eyes. Mouth forms an ‘O’ shape and the trickster wolf, surprised by her own prank falls over, backwards, and lays there. Too stunned and embarrassed to move, paws stretched out straight in the air, Meadow makes a small squeaking sound and stays still. "Meadow"

Hanako stared, wide eyed and dumbfounded as a stranger sprung out at her from the shadows. To her credit Hanako didn't leap out of her skin or stumble back into the shards of glass, she remained frozen where she was, her mind working over time to try and figure out what the hell had just happened.  Either this was a case of mistaken identity or the girl in question just liked to jump out at people for the hell of it. The stranger, who had seemingly fallen into the floor in shock, remained where she was, as though she thought if she laid really really still Hanako would forget that she was there. Hmm, Hanako felt as though the former was true, why else would she act so sheepishly?

Oh man this was too much. Hanako bit her lips as she struggled to contain her giggles. Then like water bursting from a dam she erupted in a full bout of laughter, her sides heaving as her eyes crinkled in amusement. It really was funny and Hanako certainly wasn't faking it,  but laughter seemed like the easiest way to break the strained silence that had formed. Old habits died hard, and all that.

"I'm- " Hanako wheezed, cut off by more waves of laughter. Light and soft, echoing off the walls of the abandoned building. "I'm sorry it's just the way you fell. Just...Dunk!" An undignified snort ripped from her nose and Hanako had to hold her breath to stop herself from bursting out into another fit. Instead she clambered through the window, over the debris and tangled wires till she was a few feet away. "Are you okay? You're not hurt are you?"

Hanako gave her a look over, her gaze roving over her pale girl as she checked for injuries or any blood. She seemed okay but what did Hanako know?

Meadow is dead still on the floor. Eyes wide, legs sticking in the air when laughter greets her ears. Muscles relax, legs flopping down to her chest and giggles start to escape. It is extremely funny, now that she thinks about it. After all, when she had found that her prank had backfired, Meadow had acted like one of those fainting goats. Luckily, she had not passed out. That would have been even more embarrassing. When the other wolf speaks and mentions the sound she made when she fell, her giggles become laughter and joins the din as the other wolf snorts. When the wolf climbs through the window and joins Meadow in the room, the woman on the floor decides to roll onto her side and makes it to a standing position. The new wolf stands a few feet away and when she asks if Meadow is okay, the sheepish, yet cheerful wolf says, “Oh yes, nothing hurt. Well, unless you count my pride.” Another laugh and she becomes slightly more serious as she adds, “I am really sorry if I startled you, I thought you were my sister coming to make sure I didn’t get into trouble.” The seriousness leaves as quickly as it arrived and she chuckles while shaking her head. With a bright smile and cheerful eyes, Meadow offers, “My name is Meadow. I came here looking for some herbs. However, this place really intrigued me and, so, of course I had to take a look.” Shaking off the dust and dirt that might be sticking to her coat, she casts her eyes around and asks, “Have you ever seen anything like this?” The building still amazes the small wolf and she wishes the walls could tell their stories. The thought of exploring this place was too intriguing to pass up. Glancing back at the other female, Meadow adds, “Sorry, I talk a lot. You can tell me to slow down at any time.” She offers another wide, happy smile and continues to look around. "Meadow"

Hanako had thought as much but she still was glad to hear the confirmation. Who knows what she would've done if things had taken a turn for the worse? The island wasn't too far from the mainland but the thought of having to drag along an injured wolf made her legs ache, like she was already straining and kicking against the oceans current. The girl began a heartfelt apology and Hanako didn't hesitate to wave it off with a flick of her paw, there was no harm done but Hanako appreciated the sentiment anyway.

"Don't worry about it. Think of it as...a mini training exercise to keep me on my toes." She grinned, hoping that'd be enough to lift the strangers spirits. Besides it served as a good reminder, Hanako really ought to pay more attention to her surroundings.

Referring to her as a stranger didn't feel right though as the scent that clung to her coat was anything but stranger or unfamiliar. She was clearly an Armada wolf but try as she might Hanako couldn't picture her picking a fight with anyone. Her fur was too soft and well kept, whilst her eyes-being the windows to the soul that they were- revealed her soft and gentle nature. It then seemed only natural to assume that she was a healer of some sort- and yep, as soon as Meadow properly introduced herself Hanako's assumptions were once again proven to be true. She was getting good at this, the whole reading people thing.

"I haven't." Hanako barely managed to cut in before Meadow continued once again.

She sure was talkative but Hanako didn't really mind. Whilst being a bit of a chatterbox herself she found her own words didn't flow with such...urgency, it was almost like Meadow was in a rush to move things along, that she didn't quite know what to do in the earliest stages of a conversation. Hanako shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips as she padded closer, swung out her butt and gave Meadow a hip bump. Her smile grew into an all out grin as she bounced away in case Meadow wanted to retaliate with a bump of her own.

"I'm Hanako!" She introduced herself, her tail wagging so hard and fast her frame rocked. Hanako wondered if this is what  she was like when she was in her submissive, apologetic mode. Maybe that was why Azure had insisted she didn't need to apologise for each and every affront, stating that it got old fast. Hmm. Her tail wagged a little slower."And you don't need to worry about it, nothing bothers me. Water off a ducks back yanno?" If Meadow needed a friend who understood her then Hanako would do her best to provide her with that.

"You know though...since we're both here we ought to have a look around! You can keep looking for your herbs and I can tag along for the ride." She came here to explore so why not, they'd be hitting two birds with one stone.

With a flick of her paw and a don’t worry about it, the new wolf dismisses the need for Meadow to apologize. A laugh bubbles up and out as the other wolf calls it ‘training’. Meadow talks fast and jumps from one subject to another. Silence is just space for someone to figure out that she is too cheerful or too soft. If they figure that out they might leave her. With her, fear is not just a state of mind; it is her whole way of life. She dreads the unknown, is frightened to death of failing and anguishes at the thought of losing friends. So, to combat that, she talks… and she talks a lot. Friends are a treasure to her and so, when this new wolf doesn’t run away after the first barrage of words, Meadow holds out hope that this new female will be her friend. Looking around, she hears the wolf’s reply that she has not seen anything like this either. Meadow hears her new friend (well so she hopes) pad closer and, as she moves to look at the beautifully colored wolf, feels the wolf hip bump her. Head shoots around to fully look at the other wolf as she retreats and introduces herself as Hanako. Meadow’s tail matches Hanako’s in speed and she listens as she tells the bubbly wolf not to worry about talking. Practically bouncing from the happiness at being told it is okay to talk, Meadow bounds over to Hanako and finds herself full of giggles. She bounces around the colorful wolf and nods enthusiastically at Hanako’s suggestion. The words that come out are still filled with joy but they come at a slightly slowly clip. She says, “Okay Hanako! That sounds like a plan! And thank you. You are very kind.” A bright smile appears. Remembering the hip bump, a joke comes to mind to get back at Hanako. Stopping suddenly, Meadow pretends to look at something in the distance. To sell the prank she says, “Will you look at that.” Moving forward toward the unseen object, hoping Hanako is looking for the fictitious thing, Meadow gasps, “Oh no! It is an ankle biter!” With a great laugh, Meadow rushes toward Hanako, pretending to bite at her paws before zooming off into the next room to find some herbs. Laughter follows Meadow as she goes. "Meadow"

exploration 2

Hanako turned with a hum, wondering what Meadow was referring to as she completely fell for the bait. She stepped closer, brows drawn as she squinted and- Hanako yelped, barely dancing away in time as her friend playfully aimed a nip at her ankles. Yet another laughter passed her lips as she danced forward to aim a bite at the fluff of Meadow's tail. It was all fun and games, clearly neither one of them meant any harm to the other. But it might've seemed odd that two seemingly strangers were able to bond so quickly, to get along like a house on fire.

Right on her tail, Hanako followed Meadow into the first room of the corridor. It was far smaller than the grand atrium, with collapsed pieces of wood strewn all over the place, along with cloth and rusted metal. The ground beneath her paws was soft and green, almost spongy, but it clearly wasn't grass or even moss. Hanako tried to dig it up but instead of tearing it up at the roots the material bunched up into an arch and she realised that it was some sort of floor covering. Almost like the furs she used to soften up the floor of her den. The windows in this room were far smaller than that of the atrium, but plants still managed to weave there way in like coiled snakes.

Heading back the way they came, Hanako popped her neck out and glanced down the hallway. It was long and dark, and at a glance Hanako realised that not all of the rooms were accessible, a good number of them blocked by chunks of immovable concrete and debris.

"It's a bit spooky, isn't it?" Hanako asked, glancing over her shoulder. "What do you think it was, you know...before?" Cause surely, at some point or another this place had to be something, right?

Herb Gathering 1 Laughter follows as she tucks her tail to try and avoid the bite but there goes some fur! It only serves to intensify her laughs as Hanako follows hot on heels into the next room. Meadow only stops laughing when she notices Hanako looking around intently. Casting her eyes around the room, Meadow decides to allow her friend a chance to explore and investigate this strange and wonderful place. As Hanako discovers, Meadow tests the air for the telltale scent of herbs. She thinks she smells... some type of berries. Eyes widen as she follows the aroma to a small bush that is peaking up through the flooring. Tail wags happily as she finds an Elderberry shrub. Shrugging off her saddlebag, Meadow prepares to pick some the deep blue-purple berries. She knows she has to careful not to get any of the bark or roots as they can cause vomiting. Looking carefully at the small, ripe berries, Meadow opens the flap of her bag and pulls out a small strip of leather to place them in. When Hanako speaks, Meadow looks up from her work and nods to question about it being spooky. This seems like a prime place for ghost or spirits to hang out. Not that she believes they can hurt her but she does know they exist. The next question Hanako poses about what this place was, Meadow lets her mind churn, coming up with fantastical possibilities. She says, “Maybe this was a really big den where lots of wolves came to live. Or it maybe it was a meeting place. You know, they all gathered here and each one of those rooms was for a separate meeting.” The ideas seem ludicrous when she hears them out loud but then again… who needs a place as big as this? Looking at Hanako she asks, “What do you think it was?” She is curious to hear what ideas her friend comes up with. "Meadow"

exploration 3

Meadow's take on the location made sense. There was plenty of space and when she thought about it she could easily picture wolves wandering down the hallway, dipping in and out of the rooms as they went about their day. Her only issue with that theory was that if this place was made by or for wolves then...why didn't they use places like this now? She'd seen plenty of wolves make items from old stuff but that didn't really feel the same. Like they were just improvising, as opposed to using it for its true and original purpose. But who was Hanako to know, she was just stabbing in the dark really, putting together the few pieces she had.

"Hmm..." Hanako tapped her chin with a paw. "I've got...no clue, to be honest." She admitted with a sheepish grin. "But maybe it's better that way, some things are best left unknown." She didn't mean to sound all deep and mysterious but there was a lot of stuff Hanako didn't know about the world and she was okay with that.

She moved out into the hallway and came across yet another wide open space, this one littered with twisted metal frames that lined one side of the room to the other. The ceiling was caved in at several points, allowing both sunlight and dangling vines to seep into the room. She hadn't seen much of this place but it all seemed very much the same from where she stood, old ruins worn away by time and the ocean, long since reclaimed by nature. If she hadn't already owned it to begin with.

"But it just feels real old, that's all I know." She finally finished, turning to look over shoulder again to her friend who was busy at work collecting plants, from the looks of it. "What sort of plants are you looking for anyway?"

Herb Gathering 2 Watching Hanako as the colorful wolf looks around, Meadow listens as her friend admits she has no clue. Nodding her agreement to the statement about things best left unknown, the small wolf knows there are many mysteries in this world and most of them are best left to those who have passed. The ghosts and spirits that wander the realms, like keeping their secrets to themselves. For a brief moment, Meadow fancies she sees a wolf’s spirit walking around the corner and out of the room. However, it is so quick that it is hard to know if it is really there are just figment of her imagination. Shaking her head to clear it of sudden images of scary creatures lurking around corners, Meadow turns back to the Elderberries as Hanako moves to further investigate this place. Calling out over her shoulder, “Please be careful!” to the exploring wolf. Meadow is already worring for her new friend. It is no secret that she is a worry wart, often times she is a big bundle of nerves, but it is only because she cares about her friends and family. Her heart is big and she wants to make sure each and every person she loves is happy and content with their life and, to Meadow, that means worrying for them. Did they feed themselves today? Did they sleep well? Are they happy? All these questions are thrown at them, often more than once a day, as she frets over them. Whether she knows it or not, Hanako is now on her list of wolves that the anxiety filled Meadow cares about. From now on, she will agonize and care about the larger wolf for the rest of her life. So, when her friend moves off, the healer turns her attention back to the plant in hopes of quelling of the nerves that have sprung up. The ripe berries need to be carefully harvested from the branches of the shrub. White flowers poke their heads from the leaves and smile up at her. Taking time to sniff one, Meadow inhales the perfume deeply before removing a branch laden with berries. Moving it over the small strip of leather, Meadow removes each berry carefully, so as not to pop the ripe fruit, and puts them on the leather. She repeats this process, picking a branch, taking the berries and discarding the lightened branch after, five more times before her little strip is filled with deep blue-purple berries. Setting aside the last branch, Meadow bundles up the packet of berries and places them in her saddlebag. By the time she has finished putting her bag back on, Hanako has returned. Tail wags happily and she nods to the comment about this place being really old. Next her friend enquires about what kind of plants Meadow is looking for. Thinking for a moment, she says, “Well I am looking for plants that are good for healing. Something like Marigold. They are a golden, orange flower that you might have seen before, they are very common. Their petals can be used to heal burns and cuts. Also good for insect bites and stings. I need some more of those and…” After thinking for a moment, Meadow finishes her thought with, “Maybe some Earth Smoke. It is good for treating liver ailment. It shouldn’t be too hard to find. It grows on long stalks with pink flowers. It should be blooming right about now. For that one I will harvest the leaves and the flowers…” Suddenly she notices that she has been talking, a lot. Looking at Hanako sheepishly she says, “Sorry, I just… get really excited about herbs and… well everything.” A soft laugh bubbles out and she offers her new friend a bright smile before asking, “Want to help me find some?” "Meadow"

As old as this place was Hanako didn't think it was dangerous. Being as sheltered as she was the concept of danger was a rather abstract concept to her, she understood it in theory but the few times she'd gotten even remotely close to being in peril her Keepers had taken care of it. Try as she might she just couldn't see what there was to worry about in a place like this, it was quiet and peaceful, and from what she could tell they were the only wolves about. Still, it made her feel all warm and fuzzy that Meadow was concerned for her, that even in such a short period of time they'd grown so close.

Hanako's ears tipped forward as she listened, she didn't recognise any of the plants names but Meadow's explanations were more than enough to clear the fog of confusion. Even though Meadow did talk a lot, Hanako didn't feel as though the Healers words were inane ramblings of someone who didn't know what they were talking about. There was a sense of passion to her words, a feeling of consideration and care that really showed off the dedication to her craft. If Hanako ever got hurt she knew with a firm sense of certainty that she'd be in safe paws, that her friend would use all of her knowledge and know how to her best ability. Not that Hanako ever thought it would come to that, the worst she'd experienced was a cold...and well, to be honest she'd been very melodramatic about it. Whining and crying as though she was on her deathbed, her life slipping through her grasp like sand.

"Yeah of course!" Hanako was quick to agree, even if she had no idea what she was getting herself into. "So you're just looking out for those two plants? I'll call out if i see them!" Hanako said before she bounced further down the hallway, into the darker reaches of the building where the sunlight didn't reach.

Smiling brightly as Hanako quickly agrees to help in the search, Meadow finds her tail wagging without a thought. As the colorful wolf bounds out of room, after telling the smaller female that she will call out, Meadow finds herself yelling after explorer, “Hanako, please be careful! We don’t know what the building is like!” Worry stabs at her heart as the younger wolf disappears from sight. This place looks old and who knows if it is structurally sound. What if Hanako goes exploring and finds a weak spot in the flooring or part of the walls fall down and onto her. The sudden urge to follow her and make sure the larger female is alright is overwhelming. Meadow tries to talk herself through the anxiety attack she finds herself suddenly experiencing. ‘It is okay. Hanako can take care of herself. Don’t smother her. Other wolves can resent it when you try to be over protective. Just relax.’ Talking herself through the worst of it and regulating her breathing so she doesn’t start to hyperventilate, Meadow calms herself enough to function. Paws move her slowly in the direction Hanako had disappeared and eyes scan the area for any weaknesses or dangerous spots. Her progress is slow and, as the sunlight starts to dim, the small wolf finds the fear starting to bubble up again. Making her in way in, all thoughts of collecting herbs gone, Meadow’s overriding concern now is to make sure her friend is safe. Calling out tentatively into the dark, “Hanako? Are you okay? Where… where did you go?” This place is maze and the halls and rooms bewilder and disorient her. Did she lose Hanako? Is her friend hurt? Panic sets in and Meadow starts to call out, “Hanako? Hanako? I can’t find you. Please answer me.” She begs for the colorful wolf to answer her as tears start to well in her eyes. "Meadow"

By the time Meadow called out her voice was already a faint echo. If Hanako had been a more cautious, and arguably wise, girl she would have heeded the healers warning, would have turned around and stuck close. But like the silly wannabe adventurer she was, Hanako ventured deeper in the dark and the depths of the building. The floorboards groaned and creaked beneath her weight, bowing and shifting every time she placed a paw. As if the ground, like a petulant child, was unwilling to do its job and hold her weight. Ignoring it, Hanako pushed on, determined to be of use to her friend. And maybe to just show off how cool and independent she could be, proving she was capable of going off on her own, thank you very much.

Long and lingering moments passed and it was only then Hanako realised she'd forgotten what the plants she was supposed to be searching for even looked like. She glanced around, her eyes only just adjusting to the darkness, and it soon became clear that nothing but moss and mushrooms grew here. The ground was slanted down and the end of the room, where it was at its deepest point, was partially flooded with sea water. The furthest wall groaned each time the waves rolled in, slamming against the crumbling bricks and pushing even more water through the cracks. Logically speaking Hanako knew she'd come to a bit of a dead end, that she'd find nothing of use here. But there was something so thrilling about the unknown, like the darkness at the other end of the flooded hallway was calling out to her. Beckoning her close with it's tempting emptiness.

Really damn spooky.

"Meadow!" Hanako called, only just now looking back over her shoulder. "Come see this!"

Meadow is becoming desperate, bordering on frantic as she searches for her friend. The room she finds herself in is small, the walls are starting to close in on her and her breath quickens while eyes widen in fear. Shrinking into the corner, tail between her legs, making herself as small as possible, the tears that have been stinging her eyes finally spill down her cheeks. She starts to tremble slightly as she looks around the dark room and cannot seem to find an exit. Then she hears it. A far-off voice. Hanako is calling Meadow’s name and suddenly the world snaps back into sharp focus. She is in a small room, off the main hall that Hanako had bounded down moments before. If the small wolf had kept her wits and not panicked, Meadow would have realized that she could have followed the scent of the colorful wolf. However, when fear had started to take root, her common sense had fled. Shaking off the tears that lingering in her fur, she moves to leave. Paws carry her toward Hanako, moving Meadow quickly out of the room and deeper down the darker hall. When the form of her friend appears before her, the white and brown wolf finds herself relaxing. As she moves to stand next to Hanako, Meadow finds her jaw dropping at the scene before them. With a, “Wow.” She looks around and furrows her brow before adding, “I don’t like the way that wall is groaning. Do you think it might collapse? Maybe… maybe we should try looking outside for the plants.” Looking questioningly at Hanako. Meadow will explore with the colorful if she wants to further in because she wants to keep her friend safe. "Meadow"

Hanako gave Meadow a reassuring shoulder bump as she came to her side. Though she hadn't really noticed her friends worried calls she could sense from her posture alone that the healer had gotten a bit worked up and worried, over nothing mind you but Hanako offered a bit of comfort anyway. Cause that's what friends did. She hummed at her friends words, eyeing the wall again as yet another wave crashed against the other side. The sensible thing to do would be to leave, to head outside and look for plants were it was sunny and warm, with no imminent threats of possibly being drowned in old and nasty sea water. But where was the fun in that?

Hanako smiled, all sneaky and wry.

"We can go outside...if you go fetch that ring thingy!" She pointed with a dainty flick of a fiery paw, to the white and red thing that floated in the water, at the other end of the room near the dark and scary corridor.

It was mostly a joke, she wouldn't make her friend do it if she didn't want to but she'd be a liar if she claimed that she wasn't at least a little curious...

Meadow appreciates the shoulder bump from Hanako as the smaller wolf moves to stand next to her. Body relaxes as she is once more with her friend. Listening as the taller wolf hums at her words, Meadow wonders if she has suggested the right thing. Eyebrows shoot up as the colorful wolf smiles in a very sly, wry sort of way and the words that follow have Meadow’s mouth dropping open in shock and horror. She wants the small wolf to fetch a ring thing that is the water? Looking from the object to Hanako and back again, the earthen hued wolf contemplates her next move. Turning to the fire and ink female and giving her an incredulous look, she turns around to walk back the way they had come. She counts in her mind, one, two… when she gets to ten, Meadow throws off her bag and spins around to face the water. Narrowing her eyes, focusing on one thing, she pushes off the ground, shooting her forward toward the goal. Legs pump and she sprints past Hanako, not looking to see if the colorful wolf is watching. When her front paws touch the edge of the water, she bends them and brings her back paws forward allowing her to springing out over the water. For a moment, she is flying, going further and further out over the water before gravity takes hold of her small frame. Angling her body so her front paws break the surface of the water first and she disappears for a moment under the water. Staying for a moment, in the underwater world, she looks up at to spy the ring not far from her. Kicking her legs out, Meadow breaks the surface and paddles over to the white and red ring, taking it in her mouth before turning around to paddle back toward Hanako. Meadow might not appear brave but she can summon up enough courage when the need arises. As the water becomes shallower and Meadow feels her paws hit the bottom, she grips the ring tighter and moves out of the water. Making it up and out, dripping wet, smiling wide around the ring, Meadow makes it to Hanako before depositing the object before her friend. Panting slightly, she raises an eyebrow and says, “Now, what do you say we go outside?” Moving away, a cocky smile on her lips, Meadow shakes the water out of her coat and returns to her bag. All the while, she is mentally patting herself on the back for pretending to be so brave. "Meadow"

Hanako sat down and got comfortable, curious to see if Meadow would actually do it. In part she didn't want her friend to even try, who knew what lurked in those murky waters. It couldn't have been deep but what if she got cut by something, tangled up like a fish caught in a net? Hanako's brows drew together as concern clutched at her heart, why had she said that? She only wanted to be fun and jovial but now the moment had passed she found herself cursing the act she'd put on, too young and dumb with real consequences lurking around the corner. Hanako parted her lips, wanting to take back her dare but it was too late, Meadow was soaring through the air and landed in the water with a colossal splash. Flinching back, Hanako stared wide eyed as her friend submerged herself, seconds felt like hours as she watched with baited breath.

Come on come on! Hanako would have began pacing if her legs didn't feel so stiff, stuck in place like the roots of a tree. And then Meadow surfaced with ring in mouth and Hanako's jaw dropped. It's exactly what she'd hoped would happen, she would have been beside herself if Meadow just...vanished, but it was like a scene from a story. Slow and dramatic, Hanako almost wanted to hum a tune to add to the scene. But another hit her stronger and she indulged it in without question, she bounced forward, meeting Meadow half way as praise spilled from her lips.

"You're so cool! Holy- Wow! Meadow the brave! We can go wherever you want, boss!" She'd earned it after all, if Meadow told her to jump she'd ask how high. Dancing by her side Hanako waited, ready and eager for her friend to lead the way.

As Meadow makes her way toward Hanako, the fire and ink wolf bounces toward her. The earthen hued wolf smiles around the ring in her mouth and drops it in front of her friend. The praise that flows from the younger one has Meadow’s eyes rounding in surprise. Has she really done something worthy of such praise? All she had done was jump into the water and fetch what Hanako had wanted. A giggle escapes and the smaller wolf ducks her head in embarrassment. “Aw shucks. I didn’t do anything special. I’m not brave.” She says as she bashfully moves back to her bag. With Hanako dancing beside Meadow, the earthen woman chuckles as they move down the hall and she feels herself standing taller. Maybe she should keep the ring as a symbol of the time she had been braver than she felt. The thought amuses her for a moment but she keeps moving away and decides she doesn’t need an object to remind her of that fact. After she shakes out her coat and shrugs back on the bag, Meadow decides to continue back the way they had come. Looking to Hanako, Meadow says, “Well, today is turning out to be such a great day! After I collect my herb, is there anything you would like to do?” Offering a huge smile, Meadow looks to her friend and adds, “Thank you Hanako, for making today a wonderful day!” Eyes dance with happiness as she moves, the thrill of a newfound friend and enjoying herself makes the smaller wolf’s heart feel light. Silently, she hopes that today will never end. "Meadow"

Hanako wiggled. She could get why Meadow was all bashful about it, accepting compliments wasn't always easy, but she well and truly meant it. If the roles had been reversed Hanako would have flat out refused, the thought of getting all wet with that mucky water made her skin crawl. Even now the water sloshed about, green and murky, so far removed from the crystalline waves outside. Hanako turned away, returning her attention back to her her friend and took a moment to hum in thought at her question. There was just so much she wanted to see and do with Meadow, to run and play till their legs gave out. But maybe this wasn't the place for it. Or at the very least the novelty was fading, Hanako wanted to see the sunlight again.

"Hmm, let's go back outside. I saw loads of plants near the beach, maybe they're what you're looking for." It was a convenient excuse but any time with Meadow was well spent.

With a spring in her step she turned back the way she came, her tail wagging in wide and sweeping gestures, ushering Meadow to come tag along. Her friends words were awfully sweet, soft and comforting like an embrace. To anyone else it might've seemed like a strange thing to thank her for, but Hanako knew where her friend was coming from, that it was her way of asking for reassurance in a not so round about way. If that's what she needed from Hanako then she was more than happy to provide, to make her feel as wanted and welcome as her heart desired.

"No." Hanako said, real serious, as she stepped to a stop and wheeled wheeled around. Her smile emerged a moment later and the koi girl gently booped Meadow on the nose with her paw. "Thank you!"

And then she dashed off, a giggle spilling from her lips as she rushed towards the outside light.

Following Hanako, Meadow’s tail mimics the fire and ink wolf’s own… only slightly faster. With a bounce in her step and a smile on her lips, the small healer nods in agreement to going outside. When she thanks her colorful friend and gets thanked in return, plus a boop on her nose, Meadow pauses for a moment in her movements as Hanako dashes outside. Head tilts and her smile drops for a moment as she thinks. Meadow doesn’t know why Hanako is thanking her, she hasn’t done anything special. A lot has happened in one day and, for a moment she just watches her friend, enjoying the excitement and thrill of everything. With a soft ‘yip’ of excitement, Meadow bounds after Hanako, laughter spilling from her lips. For a moment, she is a pup again and, the fact that she has made a new friend, adds to her youthful exuberance. She feels likes she could play all day and far into the night. As she crosses the threshold and the light that hits her, causing her to squint, the earthen hued wolf pauses a moment to get her bearings. When Meadow spies her friend and scurries after her, toward the vegetation that surrounds the crumbling edifice. The thought of looking for herbs tugs at her and reminds her that is why she is here but her heart tells her just to have fun. Paws turn up dirt as she darts forward, calling out as she approaches the fire and ink wolf, “I challenge you to race!” Skidding to a stop near her friend, playful smile on her lips, eyes dancing with delight, Meadow lays out the contest, “One lap around the building. Winner gets bragging rights and loser has to tell the pack that the winner is the fastest wolf ever. Deal?” She hopes that Hanako will take her up on the race. Something tells the small healer that she will probably lose but it will at least be fun. Eyes dance with mischievous glee as she looks at her friend. "Meadow"