code © skelle & art © snow--chan 2023
"Speech!"
Getting back into the swing of things was no easy task, and that's why Grimshaw often left the hallows and the protective watch of his siblings every chance he got. Each time he debated on whether or not he would return, but each time he did. He didn't want to disappoint Bowen especially, but he felt like he already had and would continue to do so for the rest of his life. He was the black sheep of the family and in every way he felt like they would be better off without him, even if they did seem more than happy to have him back.

Maybe today would be the day he didn't make it back. It was hot as absolute hell in this desert and without water, his black coat was absorbing all of the sun and it was certainly starting to feel like he was boiling on the inside. He kept up the pace though, but at this point he felt like he might collapse if he slowed down. His dry tongue hung from his dry mouth as he trotted through the burning sands of the dunes, weaving in between them to avoid the extra effort in crossing them.

It was rare for Spirit to wander far from Ashen's packlands, even to the territory just to the north, but today was an exception. More often than not he stayed close to the lake, in the luscious slice of land carved out in the midst of the desert, where his finch companion was happiest and where plant growth was plentiful. These dry, barren sand dunes weren't exactly his favorite place - but occasionally he knew you could find bits of vegetation here and there, sometimes rare herbs that couldn't be found elsewhere.

Maybe he'd get lucky and come across something like that. So far no luck, but he'd press on, despite the stifling heat of the sun beating down on his back from overhead. Apparently he wasn't the only one with  a quest in mind though (because why else would someone be out here in the bone dry desert?), he speculated as the figure of another wolf came into his vision. His fur was even darker than Spirit's, and he could only guess that he was even more miserable out here in the dry heat.

It was hard to tell if he was suffering as much as Spirit feared he might be, at least from his great distance, so he moved to close the gap between them. Crossing the sand always took more energy so his steps were measured and cautious as he drew closer, only slowing once he was within earshot. "H-hello," he called out, trying to throw his voice over a farther distance than he was used to. "A-are you alright?"