Step by step

is this really necessary...

It would seem that no matter what the young boy did, he ended up in places with water. It wasn't like he was afraid of water, more so the things that he knew grew within its depths. Festered, oozed, all that nasty stuff. Fresh water was at least a lot different than stagnant, there was less time for bacteria's to bloom. In fresh water, it was more good things that grew there, little things that fed the food chain as they should. It was little comforts that eased the mottled yearling's mind, watching as the water flowed through the many channels it created through the roots of the mangroves. Plus, it was warm, and there was no mud to be seen. Instead, lush sands hugged his paws with each step, grains tickling over his toes. He would take this over the gross, melting snow that they had had only a few weeks ago. He would doubt that Amaranth was here though, there were little places to hide, and even less trouble to cause. Gus felt bad for losing track of her, they were supposed to be hunting for their family together, and there was hardly a time that he was too far away from her. He knew deep within his bones that they would just appear at each other's side in no time, it was one of those strange twin things.

Blowing out a sigh, Astra hopped over a large outcrop of roots before rubbing himself against the base of the tree. The smooth bark caressed him, itching that spot that he just couldn't reach. It was a beautiful spring day, even he had to admit it. Even then, it was hard to be alone. There was very little time for that in a family as large as his, even though they would endlessly drive him mad, at least they were there. Worry gnawed at his belly for a moment, but he shook it off. They were yearlings now, they should be able to take care of themselves. Still, he would like to be there to help if the need arose. At another exhale of hot air, Gus picked up the scent of a stranger. Hugging the mangrove to his left, his ears folded back as he peeked over the maze of roots and streams, trying to see where this wolf was. There was something odd, nearly familiar, about this one's scent. It caused his head to flop to one side, baby blue eyes quickly spotting the massive wolf that wandered not too far away. His coat was mottled like Astra's own, the same earthy tones covering his body. If not for the white on Gus, they would look much the same. Could this be another Adravendi? He had been told many tales of just how far their family stretched, but he had yet to really bare witness to it. Curious, he let a bit more of his head poke out from behind the tree, staring at the stranger without saying a word. He wasn't scared, of course not, more... unsure. If this male was family, surely he would be kind, but it was the unknown that made the boy hesitate. He wasn't about to go out there and find out which one it was.

Astralagus Adonis Adravendi