Fading Waterfalls

The earthen-hued girl finds that, every time Lotus smiles at her, her heart will suddenly flutter in her chest. It has been so long since Terra was even in the presence of another wolf and here is a handsome boy, around her age, who doesn’t think she is a complete screw up. Without realizing it, she scoots a little closer to him while they finish hanging the meat. When she asks about what awaits them in the north, the boy’s expression turns into one of thoughtful, consideration. His words would, normally, cause the girl to frown and worry but, with Lotus at her side, she knows that she can handle whatever is thrown her way.

With the meat hung to dry, Terra points to a nearby bush, offering to sleep over there while silently hoping that she can stay close to Lotus. Her paws shuffle in uncertainty, not wanting to overstep any boundaries he has or be a nuisance to him. His words leave her feeling confused, the thought of actually getting to pick where she wants to sleep in a foreign notion to her. For so long, she was forced to stay in the cave, waiting, hoping that her family would come back for her. Today has been a day of big changes, the decision to leave her cave led her to meet Lotus who is now going to be taking her North.

Terra’s brain almost shuts down from all the choices but then Lotus points out where he is going to sleep and invites her to join him. The uncertain way his voice raises has a small chuckle falling past her dark lips as relief sweeps over her features like the sun chasing away storm clouds. Giving him a nod, she softly says, “Yes. Please. Let me just… I want to get my rock and pouch.” A smile forms on her lips as her emerald gaze catches his bright blues and it grows into a warm, happy one as she moves back to the deer’s carcass. Quickly, she places her sharpened rock into the makeshift pouch, cinching it closed before slipping the loops of grass it around her right front paw.

Pushing it up her leg until it can go no further, Terra happily rejoins Lotus, showing off the pouch on her leg as she says, “Isn’t it prefect?” She is really proud of the crude pouch and her sharp rock that lays within; they are her very first possessions and she is determined to take good care of them. Waiting for Lotus to get settled, the earthen girl then moves toward him, sitting herself near his stomach and curling into a tight ball for the night. Her side is pressed firmly into him and she enjoys the feeling.


"Terra Qilaq"