Rudy had traveled a bit of boreas when he was younger during the time he was trying to find a cure for mom.  There hadn’t been time to truly explore or enjoy the surroundings.  It had been just enough to recall where lands changed from matters like open land, rivers, forests, and the like.  Now he could go slow and let Fern enjoy her adventure in various lands.  Let her see the wide variety of land that made up the land.

The prairie had plenty of food and open grass to enjoy.  Rudyard led Fern towards the spot, nodding towards a plot of land where prairie dogs had their home built and could be seen skittering in and out of their home, several of them standing on 2 legs playing look-out duty.  A herd of gazelle could be seen in the distance.  

Rudy paused to stretch, widening his front paws as they slid farther in front of him with his rump higher up in the air.  The bob of his tail swayed a bit as his head twisted to look up at Fern.  “Welcome to the prairie.  Good spot for a great view and a full option of buffet items.”  There were lots of scents here that Rudy hadn’t had time to explore before.  

"Speech"

The wedding had been a dream come true for the gray woman, the official marriage only making Fern and Rudy’s lives even more beautiful. Their hearts had already been given to each other and the pair knew they could not live without the other, so they decided to tied their lives together in front of their pack and family members. After the ceremony, everyone had celebrated long into the night and the happy couple had to excuse themselves to retire to their room.

There, in the early morning hours, holding each other close, Rudyard had given his gift to her; a season of traveling. When they had first met he had promised her adventures and exploring which had seemed like a pretty wish but now, they are doing it. Everything still feels like a dream, the soft edges of love and joy tinting everything into a beautiful masterpiece of light.

As the couple cross into a vast, open prairie where the rolling grass rustles in time with the breeze, Fern’s jaw unhinges and hangs slack as she takes in the megafinance of this land. Nothing has ever been so green, so full of life! But, for all the land’s splendor, it is the small prairie dogs that really still her heart. Rudyard leads the way to some predetermined spot where, nearby, the small creatures pop in out of holes dug into the earth to look at them, some even being so bold as to squeak in defiance to the predators as they near.

Finally, her jaw remembers how to as it closes to allow a bright to be aimed at Rudyard. His words pull a laugh from Fern who shrugs off the small bundle of items she had brought with her for their season of traveling. Really it is just her armor and sword since they are both excellent hunters and can get whatever food they need. Eyes scan the grassy land, spotting the gazelle in the distance and, after a moment, she turns her gaze to her mate.

With a playful grin Fern asks, “Well, what should we do first? Visit the buffet line or check into our room?” Eyebrows raise in question as her eyes dance with mirth, a wide, bright smile never leaving her gray lips. This is truly paradise and she is excited to experience it with Rudyard.


"Fern Carpathius"