There were few things as good as cool water under a hot summertime sun.  Kione had roamed along the edge of auster and was now fully down at the southern edge.  The painted wolf was wet, water drops still obviously flowing from his coat to fall on the ground.  He’d stay on land long enough to go from wet to merely damp before hopping back in the water.

Crossing the wide bridge Kione paused looking at the water caged in by the circle of land.  A grin grew across the dog's face at what appeared to be a marvelous pool that demanded to swim in.  Sure, it was bound to be no different than other parts of the water but there was something about good scenery that could add to the experience.

"Kione"

The summer day is hot and the air is still. Many wolves might find this weather uncomfortable but for Keahi, it is perfect. Her coat is thinner, made for the tropical heat of her island and is perfect for this weather. Trotting happily through the lands of Auster, the red wolf pauses when she finds a familiar scent on the wind and a smile appears as she realizes that Kione is nearby. Paws angle toward the painted dog’s location swiftly carrying the red wolf toward him. Spying the happy dog on a small circle of shoreline that is off the main beach, she gives him a happy bark to alert Kione to her presence.

With that, Keahi quickly makes her way across the wide bridge of land, only stopping to watch a few, colorful fish swim through a channel in the bridge. A happy smile appears on her red lips and she continues on. Once on the shoreline where Kione is, the red wolf moves to stand next to him and inspects the large pool of water. Eyebrows lift as she spies many fish within the clear water and Keahi says, “Whoa. I wonder how deep that is.” The aquatic animals disappear in the dark watery depths and the tropical wolf is eager to follow them down.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

Kione was just starting to step into the shallows of the water when he heard the wolf call out to him.  Glancing behind he tossed Keahi a happy grin and nod in greeting.  Admittedly, most of his joy was due to the water but hey a bit of company was a nice addition. “Hello lass,” the wild dog moved in so that his paws were between the clear waters, his gaze expectantly looking out ahead at the dark blue depths.  That was where the real fun was.  The only tragedy is no spot on the land looked particularly great for leaping into the deeper depths.  Still, this would be fun.

“Time to go for a swim, might be able to see the bottom if you get in the middle part, maybe.”  Probably not but it was a nice added reason to swim out.  Kione charged forward, leaping to the deep part of the water where suddenly there was no floor beneath him.  The dive in sent the color-splashed dog underwater for a moment.  Kione was a master swimmer with all the time he spent at it though and soon enough his head popped back out of the water.  Giving his head a shake, getting water out of the large ears.  “Well, if ya can swim dive on in but I can tell ya now, it’s a long way.  Just darkness below miss.”

"Kione"

Joining Kione on the strip of circular shoreline, Keahi casts her blue gaze into the deep, watery depths of the makeshift pool. Kione greets her before stepping out into the clear water, the painted dog’s gaze being pulled out into the dark blue mysterious pit as well. He speaks of swimming before charging forward and disappearing under the surface. As he disappears, Keahi allows her gaze roam over the sandy shoreline, noting how it slowly slops into shallow pool before completely dropping away in the middle. She doesn’t worry about her painted friend, trusting that the dog knows how to swim since he likes to make a splash every time he sees water.

Sure enough, his head reappears moments later and the tropical wolf smiles as he shakes his head in an attempt to rid his large ears of any lingering water, spraying Keahi with a few drops of water in his zealous attempt. Kione then invites her in and an amused smile tugs at her lips as he talks about, ‘if she can swim’. Keahi was born on island and has been surrounded by water her whole life. It wouldn’t do for her to not know how to swim when they sailed out the across the ocean. Dipping her red head, she silently judges the distance out to the middle of the pool, confident that, with a running start, she can make it in one leap.

Without saying a word, Keahi retreats back toward the land bridge, gaining some distance between her and swimming hole. Kione may think she is leaving but, after several long strides the red wolf turns to face the pool and the look of joy on her features will leave no room for doubt as to what she plans to do. Crouching low, Keahi charges straight for the water’s edge, paws gaining momentum with each, long stride. When red paws touch water, she brings her back legs forward to plant between her front paws and pushes off, effortlessly launching herself into the air.

Keahi flies outward, as weightless as a bird born aloft on the breeze. But wolves are landbound and gravity soon pulls at her, bring her red form back down to Kione and the pool. Front legs stretch out as they break the surface first, making her splash smaller as her red form disappears into the dark blue water. Legs kick out, stopping her downward plunge and working to bring her back up to where the dog awaits. She breathes out slowly, allowing the air to leave her nose in a steady stream of bubbles that helps to push her to the surface faster.

Red head breaks through the water next to Kione and Keahi turns to face him, a wide smile on her red lips as she says, “It might be dark down there but there are a ton of fishes to see!”


"Keahi Mogotsi"

The water felt wonderful, the overbearing sun met its match in the water that still had a cool feel to it and stripped off the feel of heat pressing into the coat.  Kione watched curiously at Keahi  He had called to her, inviting her to join him but her reaction had been to walk back towards the bridge.  Kione started his dog paddle back to the shore, fully intending to go for another jump.

Even as he felt the ground below him he saw Keahi charging back into the water and make quite the powerful leap to gain distance in her leap.  That was a pretty respectable jump!  Kione grinned, leaping back out himself.  Sure, the dog didn’t take the same running start but those long legs were strong springboards to give some impressive distance when having been standing still.  There was still a bit of swimming he had to do with where Keahi landed but they hadn’t been competing though the idea had crossed his mind.

“Sure are,” Kione glanced down into the water, tip of his muzzle disappearing before rising it back up, “I tend to not open my eyes in the saltwater though, I leave that for the freshwater without all the stinging salt in it.”  There were wolves and dogs that would deal with the salt water but it just wasn’t for Kione.  “If ya see anything with big teeth though be sure to share.”  It appeared he wasn’t overly worried though considering he was splashing around in the water before starting the path back to shore again.  “Funny place, I don’t see much algae on the ground or signs the tide ever fully covers the ring.”

"Kione"

Keahi splashes into the water, her leap sending her almost directly into the middle of the pool. Her eyes are wide open, looking at all the beautiful fish that swim down into the dark depths below. Another splash draws her attention upward and she kicks out, propelling herself upward while releasing a steady stream of bubbles. She breaks the surface, red head gracefully lifting from the water as she lifts her ears that had been pinned to her head. Island life has made her accustomed to swimming in saltwater and it longer stings her eyes or gets too deep into her ears thanks to little tricks that her family had taught her.

As she speaks to Kione, his muzzle disappears underwater for a moment before reappearing to continue talking to her. A happy grin rests on her lips as she enjoys the cooling effects the pool offers. Heat has never bothered the tropical girl but it is nice to take a dip with friends. Legs keep moving to keep her afloat as she listens to the painted dog, chuckling when he mentions about things with big teeth. He brings up a good observation and Keahi says, “I don’t think the tide ever does. The shoreline is just high enough to protect this inner ring from high tide. Although it looks like fish can get in and out of the pool so there might be openings further down.”

Giving an uncertain shrug, Keahi adds, “Ah but that’s enough thinking. What do you say we catch some fish?”


"Keahi Mogotsi"