The shuddering of the earth around him had driven Kenway and his two cattle dogs from their underground den. Thankfully it was a warm enough night that sleeping under the... well there weren't any stars, or a moon, but sleeping outside under the sky, he supposed, bearable.

Being awoken by his mother's distressed squawking and nose punching, however, was another matter. He groaned and rolled over, throwing a paw across his face to block out the... apocalypse-red sky. Well. That was different.

Rising with a yawn and a stretch, he sleepily blinked at his mother while she went on and on about the kids scampering off when clearly the world was ending, finally caving with a bowing stretch and a grumble of what sounded like caving to her whim, he tipped his head to his girls and they ran ahead, their barking leading the way as he crossed the country between the Moor and... whatever this strange place was.

The problem with his sudden and rude awakening was that he hadn't really taken time to, uh heed the call of nature, and with not a tree in sight, he supposed one of the strange rocks would have to do. Still half asleep, he cocked his leg to relieve himself, heedless of the panicked barking of his companions.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Maelstrom had waited eagerly for the sun to rise. There was something about how dark it was that intrigued him. The tremors were interesting, a tad nervous-making, but didn’t deter him from taking off at first light. Before he could even notice that the sky was turning shades of red, he was over the border and in loner territory.

Following the congregation of wolves that headed to the towering monoliths, Maelstrom picked up the pace. His legs ached by the time he got close, his tongue lolling from his mouth and his sides heaving while he panted. He wanted to rest, but the creepy looking things were so close!

It wouldn’t take him much longer and the closer he got, the more he could see. How the wind whistles through the holes, the spooky wailing that sounded like “stay away” to him. The dirt going from hard to soft. The etching along the spires.

Compelled to investigate, Maelstrom is stopped by the sound of liquid hitting the surface of one. “That’s not a good idea,” he warns the stranger - who unbeknownst to him is actually his uncle.

The relief that came with finally being able to empty his bladder was overwhelming. He was so caught up in the feeling that he didn't hear the kid approaching. Not one he knew, but he coulda sworn sometimes Scald came home smellin' a bit like that?

He wasn't concerned enough to stop mid-stream, then he'd only have to piss on another one further into the strange place. "Better'n pissin' all over yer own feet fer a jump scare..." His tone made it sound like he knew exactly what he was talking about, almost like he had learned the lesson the hard way.

This wasn't one of the kids he had been sent to round up, but he was a kid none the less. The mottled yearling frowned. "Yer seen anyone 'round yer own age out 'ere yet?" Maybe he could recruit the kid into helping him do his job and then he could hunker down with the Raiders until whatever shit storm this was passed. He still had a scar from the strange wolf-dogs that showed up in the night, and this place had an achingly familiar vibe to the cavern full of flames.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

The response and continuation of piss on the spire made his ears flatten and eyes narrow. Who was this guy and who did he think he was? Not that Maelstrom had been taught to be respectful or anything - or really parented at all, but this just seemed downright disrespectful? Perhaps it was the wailing of the wind or the look of terror on the carving's face that convinced him. Snorting indignantly through his nostrils in response, the pup rolls his eyes and waits for the stream of yellow to stop before he moves any closer.

"Mm, no," Maelstrom responds, his icy blue gaze glancing around. "Just got here," he adds on, not noticing any nearby wolves that were similar in age to him. That would be cool, wouldn't it? Meet someone who wasn't his own family (if only he knew)? "You're not concerned about the thing you just pissed on?" He questions, brow quirking as his gaze flicks back to the ominous tower leaning up into the sky.

"Maelstrom"

Well, his day just got a whole lot harder when the young guy hadn't seen any of his wayward siblings or his niece and nephew. He sighed and stretched, the loosening of his leg muscles sending some dirt flying onto the spire he had just peed on. He pulled a face when the young pup asked him if he was concerned about the rock, head tipping to the side as he looked from the kid to the spire. "What's there t'be worried about? it's just a rock..." Then why did the words feel like ones he would come to regret later on?

Perhaps if he had a few more braincells, he'd be a little more concerned. "If yer so worried, what're'yer hanging around for?" He queried, finally making his way further into the stones, pulling faces at the carvings he passed. "Who do yer reckon carved these ey? Coulda done with a bit more... cheer in 'em if yer ask me..."

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

The pup simply balked at the statement made by the clearly idiotic male in front of him. His brow wrinkles more as he casts a weary sideways glance at the nearest spire. What with its creepy holes, the wailing wind, and the carved faces below, they looked anything but a plain, old rock. Maelstrom wouldn't be left behind though and when Kenway decided to venture further in, he followed suit. Keeping close to the older male's heels, he stared wide eyed at their surroundings. Every little sudden noise sent him hunching over, trying to make himself look smaller.

"You're really not concerned?" Maelstrom's voice is quiet a first, building volume to rise above a new whistle of screaming wind. He looks up at the patchwork boy before casting another glance at a nearby spire. Sometimes, he thought he was brave, but suddenly, he wasn't so sure.

"Maelstrom"

Sometimes the line between bravery and stupidity was a very fine one. The kid seemed to think there was something to be worried about, but Kenway simply shrugged. Whether he possessed the braincells to draw connections between the sky looking like a recent volcanic eruption and the sudden appearance of the spikes was... debatable.

"More concerned about what m'mother's gonna do ter me if I don't find these kids to be honest." It was probably the wisest statement to leave his mouth... ever. "Th' Raid Queen tells yer ter fetch, yer better fetch." His girls started to dig between two of the spires and he trotted over, sniffing at the upturned earth. Pythia and Gilda... Well, at least he was on the right track. The iron tang of blood in the air was concerning, the smears on the stone and into the mouth of one of the carvings making him cringe a little. Not because he was worried about the stones, but because he was worried about how Modesty would react if he returned the girls injured. "Looks like m'sisters aren't too concerned either..."

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Whether the guy was going to keep him safe or not, Maelstrom had a feeling there was more safety in numbers. Plus, if he was looking for other pups, surely he would keep him safe... No other way to know without trying. So he kept close to Kenway's heels, his own nose in the dirt, turning over little sections dug up by the spotty blue and red dogs. "You think your sisters found something then?" He questions quietly, violet eyes bright with interest as he looks around to see if he can too spot the girls he mentions. It just seemed like a field with some small hills and these weird metal tower things sticking out the ground. What else could there be?

"Maelstrom"