The rapids had flooded at least three feet, and it was time for Abaven to leave, without looking back. Most of the group had been assembled and were following her to safety. Bass had trusted their lives into her hands. A strong howl would sound from inky lips as she found herself at the edge of the flooded riverbank, wading knee-deep into the cold water. It sent shivers up her spine, but she did not care; only for the safety of her pack, her family. Again, her voice would sound from inky lips as she scanned her group for any injuries thus far or any missing. "We have to swim across the rapids! The waters have already risen high enough that we shouldn't have to worry about the sharp rocks at the bed! But we have to work against the current!" Her bodice was sodden, and she looked nothing of what she appeared to be normally, but she would not let that hinder her. She was Harmony Destruction, and she would die for her family. Her jaws were sore from the yelling, but she had to be heard above the torrent. "We will swim as a group! The strongest will swim on the outside, and the weaker and injured will swim on the inside! We will have to work hard to beat the current and make it to the caverns!" Her legs would stride forward, and press into the water, as she kicked hard against the current and torrent. Her tail floated behind her, as mismatched orbs would seek the coming of her group. All they had to do was swim against the tributaries of the rapids and they would be on the other side, outside of the flooding lands to escape to higher grounds. ""

this thread will be taking place in monument rapids for perhaps several rounds, but will end up in singing caverns, thank you. :: art & coding © starry

The loud crack of thunder booming across the lands pulled him from a deep sleep. The rain that came was unsurprising, as it had poured freely from the skies for days now, but the last thing he expected was to feel the cold rainwater tickling his nose. Waking up to find the floor of his den flooded was alarming, to say the least, and he grumbled loudly in protest even before he realized what was happening. After a long moment he would jerk upright, writhing dramatically at the sudden arrival of water into his den, and his eyes would widen as he glanced about. Still the storm raged on, but it had apparently grown more powerful now. How had he slept through the chaos? Suddenly panicked, he found himself slipping from his den. The roar of thunder sounded once again overhead, lightning striking nearby and illuminating the lands. He would squint as his gaze danced around him, searching for signs of anyone, but it was difficult to see through the downpour that seemed like it might never cease. The brown-furred boy would press forward through the rain, shivering at the cold water that sloshed at his paws, marveling silently at how the land itself seemed to be liquid, flowing and crashing around him. It took a long moment for his tired mind to realize just how bad this situation really was, and only then did he pick up his pace, his movements rushed as he made his way toward the rapids. Even over the rain, he heard her voice then -- Harmony, calling out to the others in a frantic tone. Though he recognized her voice, her words were muddled and hazy over the sounds of the wind and the rain. As he drew nearer, he saw the outline of numerous others. Were they planning on crossing the rapids? A bark would sound as he approached, his voice vaguely frantic. He wondered what might've happened if he hadn't woken up sooner; clearly the others had been more observant than he had been. He felt a tightening in his chest as he announced his presence, hoping he was better at swimming than he remembered.

The world was chaos about her, she could barely see for the wind that whipped about her coat and the rain that pelted at her eyes. She wasn't sure how many of the pack was about her and knew Bass would be reluctant to leave anyone behind. He told her to go on ahead and she hesitated, loathing the idea of leaving him behind but understanding the logic ? one leader here to find stragglers, another to lead on to the caves. AS they departed from Bass however another voice would yell out before her own could and she would turn and smile at Harmony, moving to stand beside her sister and support her. She was a healer and Motif a fighter, but if Harmony had a plan that Motif would follow it, she trusted Harmony to know what she was doing.



She moved instantly to the outside of the group, paying attention in case any injured young or old needed her help to swim. Motif kept herself in shape for fighting and she was no stranger to swimming, she believed she could keep herself and another afloat if someone needed a hand. She was ready to swim across, and ready to help any who needed the aid.


"Speech"

The boy would obviously be one of the weaker ones, though he didn't want to admit it. His body would only follow what the rest of the pack was doing. The yearling pulling his paws against the current on the outside, his eyes made sure to watch the others. Was there really a reason for him to be here anymore? His life had depended on making sure his father didn't freak out, it was like he had the desire to find someone new to take care of. Yet what he did show to others was feigned, he had no real reality or grip on emotions since most of them he didn't have.
Halfway through his body started to give away, and he noticed. It had been a bad idea to try and swim on the outside in the first place. Fear was a emotion he could feel though, and a sense of dread over came him when it became harder and harder to keep his head above the water. Leviathi gave out a loud yelp, as water entered his lungs with his struggle but he fought frantically. His cyan eyes looking over to the others in the hope that they would help him. Otherwise he would drown.

Indeed, as the brown queen had thought there might be trouble, on of the pups faltered in the strong currents of the water. The first clue Motif received was the flailing attempts at swimming and to stay afloat, in fact the pup wasn't even managing to fight the current any more and she was certain that in a moment he would be swept away from the group. She cut gracefully through the water until she was beside him and grabbed the scruff of his neck gently between her teeth. With her new burden she would struggle on ahead and pull him onto the bank on the other side, dropping him gently on dry earth and giving the boy a comforting lick on the forehead she would turn her attention on those still swimming across, ready to leap in again if anyone else needed the aid to get across. Already Motif was panting heavily and raising her head to the sky, wishing the constant wind and rain would ease up and allow the group to find safety without the added danger it presented.

Mirabelle stood near Harmony, knees bent against the wind. She was there, and just as harmony would protect her family, so Mira would protect Harmony. It was her duty; she would not forsake that. As Harmony plunged into the flooding waters, Mira followed, pushing with strong paws to try and not drown. She pushed ahead to stay on the outside of Harmony, but still near her. A pup's cry startled her, and she whipped her head around. Before she could make a move, though, Motif was already there and assisting the yearling. Thank goodness, she thought, relieved as she once more began to push her way forward. Then an idea struck her, and she tipped her head back. "Motif, get over here! Between me and Harmony!" Motif had the pup, and that yearling would need to be protected. ?speech?

Where was Nia, She didn't see him but perhaps he got to the singing caverns before she did. Nona was rather worried about him as it was her duty to look over him. Nona tried to clear her head before getting into the water. For now it was sink or swim as she began to press onward, the task itself was difficult as she focused on healing it would seem she didn't develop her muscles more to swim. Nona was struggling to get across but not enough that it would require her rescue just yet. However she had to know as her loud vocals came roaring across for all to hear or at least she thought they would hear "Has anyone seen Nia?" Nona silenced herself afterwards as she continued on. Forest green eyes scanning the waters for the one she was charged with watching. Nona was continuing to swim as best she could however with all things one may begin to tire and her legs were starting to wear out from swimming. Finally she had to make it to the other side, adrenaline kicking in Nona would survive or at least that was what the earthen colored fae hoped for. First survive and then take care of those who were injured or ill. Nona was going to probably be busy once they made it to the singing caverns and the thoughts of how many injuries and ill members she might have to care for worried her.