W a r r i o r D o g s || RiverPack

[Hush]

Mossbrook- ♀
14 moons - Bernadoodle
RiverPack - Warrior
Romance: open - Location: Pack
Tags: with Sunfur

Mossbrook tended to her elder friend for the day, having finished her daily routine already and hating for such a social dog to be on his own, she walked him around the pack with her tail on his shoulder to guide him due to his failing sight. Seeing the commotion, she frowned and lead the old timer to the medicine den and slipped inside. “What happened?” She asked, eyes widening and ears going back as she saw Smokenose laying still. “I smell death...” Sunfur said as he lowered his head. “Explain young one.” He said as he laid down, unable to stand for much longer as his legs shook.

[RogueRunner]

🌡
W I L D P A W
( ♀ ) - ( Rottweiler/Newfoundland mix ) - ( Apprentice ) - ( RiverPack ) - ( 7 moons old ) - ( Mentor: Froststar ) - ( Bisexual ) - ( Crush: Reedpaw ) - ( Tags: Mossbrook, Sunfur )
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Despite her worry, her senses were gradually getting overwhelmed by searing frustration. "Come on, Smokenose! If this has any chance of helping you, then you need to suck it up, wake up, and eat it!" She shoved the honey wrap closer to his nose with her own, but he didn't move. A horrible hush overtook the medicine den, and in the young apprentice, a devastating, fearful pain that made her legs tremble. Unable to accept it, she waited. She just needed any small movement and she'd be fine.

A sound broke the dreadful silence behind her. The moisture in her eyes quickly lessened as she leapt to her paws, an uncontrollable grin of relief on her muzzle. "Foxpaw?" The happiness seeped from her bones. Before her was Mossbrook and the ancient elder, Sunfur. Foxpaw was not with them. "Oh," was all she could muster, drooping again, before she turned her attention back to Smokenose. Then, Sunfur's words stung her ear. I smell death... Wildpaw's eyes flashed. She whirled back to the others without even thinking about it, teeth bared. "HE'S NOT DEAD!" she growled fiercely - so fiercely, in fact, that she hardly recognized her own voice. She only realized how out of line she was when she noticed the aggressive pose she had assumed, muscles tensed, legs splayed out, muzzle revealing her vicious canines. Quickly, she corrected her posture, licking her muzzle sheepishly. She averted her eyes, in case she had offended them, and said, "I-I mean, I'm waiting for Foxpaw -" she paused as she reconsidered how to address Foxpaw to two dogs that probably didn't know her personally, given how introverted and off in her own world she tended to be, "er, the medicine dog apprentice's judgment."

[Hush]

Mossbrook- ♀
14 moons - Bernadoodle
RiverPack - Warrior
Romance: open - Location: Medicine Den
Tags: with Sunfur, Wildpaw

Mossbrook growled at the apprentice and positioned herself in front of the elderly dog who barely moved at being snapped at, knowing if the apprentice lashed out, he’d have no way of getting out of the way. “Stand down!” She snarled, barking are her a few times, she used her size to try and intimidate. “I didn’t ask what you were doing, I asked what happened to cause this? Like it or not that dog is with Starpack now. There is no medicine wolf that could reverse that. Now I need to know what has happened so I can find Froststar and tell him what has happened. If there is something dangerous out there we’ll need to act now!” She snapped, fur standing on end as the tensions rose.

Sunfur- ♂
128 moons - Golden retriever
RiverPack - Elder
Romance: open - Location: Medicine den
Tags: Wildpaw

The elder was slow to react, as he was with most things, his ears picking up little. “Darlin’ my nose is the one good thing I have left. So you’d best listen to Mossbrook before something happens.” He said, his gravely voice trailing off as he struggled to sit up, legs giving out a few times before he was able to raise his head above the two’s.

[RogueRunner]

🌡
W I L D P A W
( ♀ ) - ( Rottweiler/Newfoundland mix ) - ( Apprentice ) - ( RiverPack ) - ( 7 moons old ) - ( Mentor: Froststar ) - ( Bisexual ) - ( Crush: Reedpaw ) - ( Tags: Mossbrook, Sunfur )
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She silently struggled to hold onto her temper as she lowered her body to signal submission, feeling that she had struck a nerve with her small outburst. "I-I know what you asked," she retorted, whimper crackling. "I mentioned the medicine dog apprentice because she knows her stuff. She'll be able to determine if he's alive, whereas we can't!" Her thick pelt bristled at the older dogs' insistence on the truth. "He isn't dead!" she said again, straightening back up from her submissive posture defensively. "I can prove it!" Yeah - I definitely can! Reedpaw knew he was alive earlier by checking his neck. I can do that! Yet, as she approached the fallen body of her packmate, she realized how hollow her words truly were. Each step felt heavier and harder to take than the last with how close she was getting to him.

And then, she stood right beside him. Swallowing, she leaned her mighty head down to his neck, perking an ear and pressing it to his throat.

There was no pulse anymore. Smokenose was dead.

She sat there for a bit, her head pressed against Smokenose, frozen with shock. Reality dawned soon enough, however. Unable to cope, the pup collapsed, her face still resting in the dead warrior's fur. She began crying out incessantly, so overwhelmed with unfounded grief that she hardly cared that two others were watching her. She raised her head to look at Mossbrook, eyes shiny and round, without shifting from her position. "He starved."

[Hush]

Mossbrook- ♀
14 moons - Bernadoodle
RiverPack - Warrior
Romance: open - Location: Medicine Den
Tags: with Sunfur, Wildpaw

Mossbrook didn’t say anything as she watched the younger dog approached the still body of her packmate, knowing this was something she would have to face on her own. “Do what you must.” She said, sitting back now that the air in the den shifted. Turning her head from the pup, she rested her forehead against Sunfur’s mats and let her cry for a moment before looking down at her. “Stay with Sunfur and rest by the elders den until Froststar gives his orders, alright?” She asked, her voice more gentle than before, feeling the pups explanation one that didn’t mean imminent danger for the pack at least. She knew they still needed a medicine dogs judgment, but figured it was best to go to Froststar with what she had. “Try not to think about it, he’s with Starpack. If you need, talking to Sunfur could help. I know it has for me in the past.” She said before slipping out of the den and heading up to where she had last seen the great leader of the pack. “Froststar!” She called to wake him, walking up but keeping a respectful distance.

Sunfur- ♂
128 moons - Golden retriever
RiverPack - Elder
Romance: open - Location: Medicine Den
Tags: Wildpaw

With a deep sigh, the sandy furred male reached out his large paw and put it over the apprentice, pulling her to himself with a surprising amount of strength despite the way his legs shook when he walked. “It’s not good to linger where the haze of death does settle.” He said before turning his head towards the entrance of the den. “Say your goodbyes then come and speak with me. Despite seeing you young ones born, these old bones seem to keep on moving. Starpack has a place for all of us, I just haven’t earned mine yet. So until I do, I’ll be here to talk and listen to you, share my wisdom and my condolences.” He said slowly before rising and limping out of the den, his rear leg dragging as he made his way to the sunny spot outside of the elders den he liked to lay.

[RogueRunner]

🌡
W I L D P A W
( ♀ ) - ( Rottweiler/Newfoundland mix ) - ( Apprentice ) - ( RiverPack ) - ( 7 moons old ) - ( Mentor: Froststar ) - ( Bisexual ) - ( Crush: Reedpaw ) - ( Tags: Mossbrook, Sunfur )
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He's with StarPack. That was a nice thought. Yeah. I want to think about that. She only managed a small nod as Mossbrook left. Wildpaw rested her head miserably atop Smokenose's back, sighing quietly. She couldn't believe this was real. A small fury burned within her as she wondered if this could've played out differently had a certain red, bushy-tailed apprentice stayed with them instead of going scouting on her own. Foxpaw, why? Why did you do this? If she didn't know any better, she could've...blamed Foxpaw. She didn't have much time to stew on the thought, however, as Sunfur appeared at her side. He surprised her by all but yanking her towards him with a forepaw, but she no longer possessed the strength to resist it. Although the gesture was kind and meant to be comforting, Wildpaw found it incredibly awkward, especially because she was as big as him at this point and had just been witnessed crying. She said nothing, a little uncomfortable but too relieved at the thought of another dog understanding how she felt to step away, until he spoke. "A place for all of us?" she repeated, more to herself than to him. Sunfur's words seemed so ominous, especially with his certainty, and they made her shudder. Finally, the old dog released his grip and exited the medicine den on ancient, wobbling legs. An offer for further comfort, for understanding and escape, hung in the air for Wildpaw.

So, too, did the presence of Smokenose's body.

She turned back to it with a whine. It didn't feel right, leaving him. A naive, pup-like part of her waited with baited breath for him to breathe, to open his eyes - but a greater part knew that wasn't going to happen. Instinctively, she approached him again, her whole body trembling. She wasn't even sure what urged her closer, but she needed to do this to...feel better? To leave? She didn't know. She pressed her forehead down to his, closed her tired, moist eyes, and whispered into the still air the only words she could think of. "I'm sorry."

Sunfur, the kind old dog, had offered to speak with her in the hopes of alleviating some of her heavy new emotions, but Wildpaw honestly didn't like that idea at all. now that she was with him again. Her throat felt tight and unable to deliver words of any kind, let alone ones to describe this awful, suffocating feeling she felt - not to mention that it seemed to her, oddly, that she was surrounded by curious eyes. Being near him was enough, for he seemed like he truly understood her sadness. Perhaps he wouldn't make her talk at all, which was a relieving prospect. As she lay down near the elders' den, a heartbreaking thought hit her squarely in the gut. Reedpaw. What am I even going to say to him?

[Hush]

Sunfur- ♂
128 moons - Golden retriever
RiverPack - Elder
Romance: open - Location: Outside Elders Den
Tags: Wildpaw

Hazy eyes stared off blankly into camp, smelling Wildpaw as she came to his side. Thinking briefly about everything, he moved so his bad leg was stretched out more, the rough skin on the top of his paw resting on the mossy bedding. “I know not everyone deals with things the way Mossbrook said to. I myself would fish until my toes went numb when I was a younger dog. Now a days I’m lucky if they let me out of my den to cool my joints in the river. You might not need a lecture right now, but humor an old warrior like me and just listen for a bit, alright? I’ve learned it’s best to keep the mind busy, keeps from planting a wicked seed in your heart from the pain.” He said before pausing to think. “A dog that’s been around as long as I have has seen many battles, leaders and tragedies. Births, deaths, just like the seasons they come and go, but as long as we stand strong, the pack will survive. I’m going to tell you a story not many know about me. You may of heard what happened to my leg and why I retired, but not the others who were there. This wasn’t long after my mate had joined Starpack, that was a hard leaf-bare for all of us, but greencough took her from me. All I had left was a grown male. We were out with our apprentices and suddenly we found ourselves being chased along the edge of the Thunderpath by a group of loners, or at least they claimed to be. A part of me always believed them to be Shadowpack. The apprentices began to struggle to keep up with us so we slowed and took the brunt of the scoundrels jaws. The sky drenched our coats and thunder deafened us as we became more desperate to get away the weaker we became. I wasn’t the youngest dog at the time and the apprentices began to slow as well, so I gave the order and we made a break for the other side. The thunder above made us unaware of the monsters which approached and by the time we noticed it was too late. I managed to grab my son’s apprentice by the scruff and toss them across just in time and though my son attempted to shield my own with himself, the monster didn’t stop. I was lucky to get away with just one leg ruined and one of my eyes damaged. The fiends who chased us were satisfied and by the time the pack sent for our aid it was too late for the others.” He said pausing for a moment to clear his throat, a look of pain crossing his face as the memorial he kept out of his mind came back to him. “What I’m saying is that despite everything, I’m still here and so are you. You never know how long you have left, it is up to you to make as many moons as you have left in you count. Though I thought I’d be reunited with my mate in Starpack that day, I have lived another 20 moons and you won’t get rid of me that easily pup. Though I’m not the warrior I used to be, I feel like I’m making the most out of my time left by telling the stories of the yesterday to create a better tomorrow.” He said before resting his head on his paws and settling into the moss.

[qerrat]

Reedpaw

♂| Flat-Coated Retriever | 9 Moons | Mentor: Smokenose Froststar | Crush: Open! | Location: Near border with Skypack | Tags: Bramblestream

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Reedpaw stopped running, panting slightly. His shoulder was beginning to ache, and he still couldn't smell Foxpaw's scent. I'm going no where! I need to head back, tell someone. I've gone way too far. Reedpaw, his heart twisting painfully in his chest, turned around to head back. He didn't want to go back, because he knew, no matter how he tried to deny it, that Smokenose was dead. While running, Reedpaw had almost felt it, like his soul shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. And if I don't bring Foxpaw back... both are as good as dead... Reedpaw looked back and forth. It was dark, now, and shadows were dancing across the river's surface, making it look eerie and unrealistic. With a frustrated growl, Reedpaw began to run back towards camp. It pained him, from his heart to his fur, to go back, but getting himself lost wasn't going to help. Reedpaw nearly then collided with white and red-furred spaniel, and just managed to run into a bush to save himself an awkward reaction.
"Bramblestream!" he gasped, untangling his fur from the bush. "F-Foxpaw! She's gone! I was following her scent, but it goes into the river, and I was trying to find her to help Smokenose-" Reedpaw stopped, and finished his sentence, leaving out his mentor. "I don't know where she is, and I decided to go and get help."

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[kilimanjaro]

= B R A M B L E S T R E A M =
sex; female age;25 moons rank; warrior breed; spaniel mix location; Near Sky pack border tags; Reedpaw

Bramblestream took a few steps back in shock over Reedpaw's anxiety. She quickly recovered and said, "I'm on one of the best trackers in the pack. If anyone can find her, I guarantee I can." The spaniel did her best to sound confident and sure of herself but she never had much confidence in herself anyway. She raised her stumpy tail and looked at the ghostly flowing river. "The current if heading forward so you were following it the right way. There's no way she could've gone anywhere but this way," Bramblestream said, confident in that at least. A few sniffs of the evening air told Bramblestream nothing. There seemed to be no sign of Foxpaw which meant she had absolutely still been in the water at this point of the river. There was no time to lose as darkness began to creep over the treeline. "Follow me. I haven't seen much of Sky pack lately but if they were around, I couldn't take on a patrol on me own," she decided, taking off into a lope down the riverside. Moving too quickly wouldn't allow her to get the best scents possible but she knew that if they had any chance of finding the medicine dog apprentice alive, they had to move quickly.

A faint scent came to Bramblestream's nose and she slowed. It smelled of River pack but she couldn't tell if it was Foxpaw or not.The warrior had never been this far down the river and din't recognize most of her surroundings but she knew the scent. "Reedpaw, do you smell her?" she asked as she slowed and stopped at the river bank where a log was being pummeled by the intense waves of the river. Bramblestream dropped her head desperate to find a stronger scent but it remained faint. Foxpaw must be on the other side. The spaniel shivered at the thought of having to cross the raging river but there was no other way.

[qerrat]

Reedpaw

♂| Flat-Coated Retriever | 9 Moons | Mentor: Smokenose Froststar | Crush: Open! | Location: Near border with Skypack | Tags: Bramblestream

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Reedpaw followed Bramblestream, his heart beating in his ears. "I... I think so... m-maybe she went through on the other side." Crossing the river did not, at all, sound like Reedpaw's favorite plan, but maybe if he ran on the log, and managed to stay on until he reached the center, maybe if he had a good grip he could make that jump, make it across. That's a whole lot of maybes, far too many to rely on, he thought anxiously, watching the roaring river. "Will we cross?"

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