Temperate Nights [Aroo/Meesh]

[Meesh]

Shadow chuckled. "Alright, but I only know as far as the edge of the territory" he called to Arooix, trotting off towards the edge of the territory, tail beginning to wag in just the barest hint of excitement. "Where should we head first? Mother-Silva, I mean, says there's another group in the Blue Plains, so maybe we should avoid that" he called over his shoulder, carefully making his way through the all to familiar growth on the forest floor. "I heard of a place called the River Garden. Maybe we should go there? I'm, not exactly sure how to get there though. Have you been to many places aside from the Orchard?" suddenly, he was a lot more talkative than usual. Wow, this was exciting.

[arooix]

_{{Since I'm lazy I'm just gunna use bold for my talking :'D}}

As they padded along Arooix listened to the drum of Shadow's chitter-chattering voice. At his questions she let out a soft laugh. He really is excited ain't he? she thought to herself. Trotting along side she tried her best to answer "Oh, thats okay I hardly know the land myself!" she exclaimed. The grass was soft under her paws as she listened to Shadow explaining that there was another pack roaming about, "Hmm... Yes I'd have to agree it's best not to meddle in anyones land if their going to be angry." she agreed. The place he had mentioned, The River Gardens sounded serene and quite pleasant, soon enough her tail was wagging back and forth in a blur "That place sounds interesting, are you willing to travel there with me?" Obviously the answer would be yes, but she just wanted to make sure that she had a companion to explore this new place with.

[Meesh]

Excitement finally returning under his control again, Shadow nodded emphatically. "Of course!" he said warmly. "I'd love to travel with you, like I said. Who knows, maybe we'll find something amazing along the way" He glanced over at the grey and white female as they walked. She certainly seemed to know what she was doing. I wonder how much older than me she is Shadow thought offhandedly, glancing at the canine who walked so confidently beside him. She's definitely not as old as some of the older pack members, but still, I wonder... Deciding it didn't matter, Shadow shrugged and continued walking.

After a few more minutes walking, Shadow said offhandedly. "I'm surprised you haven't asked about my appearance yet. Most people would have by now" glancing at her. "It's an interesting change"

[arooix]

A tingle of great excitement cascaded through her body, her brain buzzing with glee as Shadow accepted going with her to the unknown land. It was fantastic to have an adventure. Nothing like it, she thought as the winds blew through her fur. Panting, she watched Shadow trot up ahead and then turned to look at her warmly, blushing - she smiled. She'd never felt this shy, why was that? Shaking her hot blushes off she quickened her pace and moved closer. Once she was beside him Arooix listened to his voice as he questioned why she hadn't asked him about his off appearance. It was simple, with a small shrug she look honestly at Shadow, "To be truthful.. I don't care," running infront of him, she halted their movement. Blinking she leaned forwards and placed her nose on his chest. "All I needed to know about you was whether or not you were a good creature.. On the inside" Arooix murmured - nudging Shadow's chest once more "And you are" she finished. Pulling away, Arooix bowed her head in silence - a hidden thought filled her face 'I wonder.. If I'm a good creature'.

[Meesh]

Shadow grinned as they continued on, heading at a steady pace towards the river garden. At his comment about Arooix's not asking about his appearance, he was surprised to be halted by the gray and white canine, who told him honestly that she didn't care as long as he was a good creature. Slowly, his tail began to wag, and he grinned back at Arooix, leaning forward to give the slightly larger canine a friendly lick on the cheek. "Thanks" he said, purring lightly in his half and half fashion. "It really means a lot to me"

Nudging Arooix forward with his nose so they could continue walking, Shadow continued conversationally. "It's not a huge story though. My mom's a canine and my dad's a feline, so I'm kind of a mix of both. That's really just the gist of it" he shrugged, continuing his steady padding through the foliage. "But thank you for the complement. You're an amazing creature as well" nudging Arooix lightly with his side, the mix added "Hey, I think we're almost at the River Garden!"

[arooix]

As she stood infront of him, she saw a mere smile spread across his face. It was sweet and kind, and as Shadow bent forwards to give her a friendly lick upon the cheek she accepted. Happiness radiated from her fur - it was nothing but a jubilant feeling as the sparkle of his eyes met hers "Its the truth" she confirmed warmly. At his explanation she laughed lightly "I figured that much out.. That you were a umm canine and feline mix. Quite neat actually!" Arooix added cheerfully. Shadow shrugged his shoulders and continued to pad onwards, giving her a slight nudge and complement. What he said struck her like a ton of brick, peering at herself through a shallow puddle her face pulled together with doubt 'I'm an amazing creature?' pausing she dipped her head "Thanks." Arooix whispered.

It took her a moment to comprehend his next spoken words, they were almost there. How quaint. A shiver passed up her spine as she padded away from the puddle. With a steady gait, Arooix arrived at Shadow's side. Padding together they ducked under the draped foliage, afterwards traveling further on. Soon enough the sound of trembling and splashing water in the far distant reached her sensitive ears "Shadow! Do you hear that?" Arooix asked with her tail wagging slowly. Looking behind her, she waited for the mix to return at her side - they were going to find the River Garden's together as planned.

[Meesh]

He grinned. "Thank you kindly. And no problem, I meant it when I said it."

At her question 'hear what?', he paused, looking at her, the question- hear what?-dying in his throat as the sound finally reached his ears- the light sound of water running over rock. He sped up, trotting over until he was at Arooix's side again. "Water running, birds chirping, it sounds gorgeous" he said with a grin. "Not just to follow our noses and our ears until we find it" Slowly he made his way pawstep over pawstep through the brambles. The noise of water rushing over rock slowly grew louder and louder until the mix was sure they were near. When they arrived at the final turn before the river garden- just a few more pawsteps and it would be in site- Shadow paused and bowed deeply to Arooix. "After you, m'lady"

[arooix]

It was a truthful statement that left Shadow's maw, and those words made her feel welcomed and warm. Soon, the mixed male made his way to her side with his ears perked. At first Shadow held a bemused feature written all over the cringes of his face as he strained to listen. But eventually the pupils implanted within his irises grew with realization at the sounds that traveled from afar "Yes it does sound delightful" Arooix muttered in awe. "Let's hurry, oh I can't wait!" she yipped before trotting alongside Shadow, knocking down the brambles as her lean legs stretched forwards. The sounds of birds and watcher falling down onto pebbles made her legs wag back and forth. Turning the bend, Shadow bowed with grace - allowing his lady to pass into the unknown land.

A enthused laugh came from her maw. Stepping forwards, Arooix leaned her chin upon Shadow's skull "Thank you, good sir. What a gentleman." she stated. Nosing her head under his chin, she made his head rise to look at her. Stepping back, Arooix bowed to Shadow - returning the respect he had portrayed to her. "We will turn this corner together, just like we started this quest - it is only right we complete it together" stretching her paw she placed it gently on his; awaiting to see if Shadow would accept it.

[Meesh]

Shadow grinned, then nodded. "Let's go then" stepping forward with Arooix in step, they rounded the corner. Shadow gasped. It was beautiful. Streams flowed gently between the rocks, curling into eddies. Strange prey-animals lazed about, and the flowers, the flowers were everywhere, blooming in all the colors of the rainbow. The place smelled wonderful- like, like heaven. Shadow could only stare a moment, awed and overjoyed, before jumping forward into a pile of autumn leaves, sending leaves flying in all directions. "Come on!" the mixed called over his shoulder to the canine. "Race you to that stream?"

[arooix]

The draw of the wind that blustered circled the two companions. Side by side, Arooix and Shadow stood - completing their quest as they had set out to do so. Both quivered with anticipation, their eyes greedy for what they sought. And soon, the time came where step by step they turned the corner to find a gorgeous landscape. It was something Arooix hadn't expected, each and everything attracted her attention. The vegetation glimmered with the mornings dew as the chirping of birds droned throughout the air. She could admit, she had never seen anything more beautiful that what she was peering at now. To be clear, Arooix walked forwards. Tears of joy had sprung to her eyes, which to her surprise dribbled past her cheeks "Shadow.. It's so.. So magical". Walking further, her legs gave out.

Her body lay motionless, the scent of pure and fresh lands had stuck something in her. But beyond that a darker scent had appeared, something that she could not place. It was such an evil scent, Arooix wondered if she was imagining it (_{the scent is the illness, though she doesn't know what it is}). The scent made her throat burn with vile, despite that she pushed it back and rose with weakened legs. Gladly, as far as she could tell - that scent was not within the realm of the River Gardens. Continuing her leisure of looking, the sound of Shadow challenging her to a race to the river alerted her attention. Hiding her disgruntled face behind one of glee Arooix ran to the position where Shadow stood.

Pushing the mix gently with her muzzle a bark of daring entered her tone "Oh your so on! Ready set... GO!" before she launched from the ground running straight for the river

[Meesh]

Shadow's tail wagged, the mix purring softly as he gazed at the beautiful area around him. Next to him, Arooix collapsed on the ground, but soon got up again and he disregarded it. As she dashed ahead, Shadow let out a yip of excitement, sprinting off after her. "You can't beat me!" he called challengingly, sprinting towards the water's edge. Unfortunately, he overcompensated and went, flying, into the water.

A few seconds later, a gasping and now dripping-wet Shadow burst out from underwater. "T-the water's so cold" he shivered, paddling to stay in place against the light current. "C-cold but, surprisingly pleasant!" he dove under again, then resurfaced, letting the cool stream water wash over him again.

[arooix]

As her paws hit the ground in the direction of the river she also heard Shadow careening towards her. Eventually he did manage to pass her by a few tail lengths, until he overstepped his boundaries and went straight first into the slapping chasm of water. Halting, Arooix whimpered for she could not spot Shadow's head. In only a few moments, his form broke the surface, his teeth chattering with freeze. Thankfully, the mixed male paddled towards the lighter currents where he wouldn't be swept down stream. Smirking, Arooix watched as he plunged underneath and resurface - exclaiming it was pleasant.

Believing her friend, Arooix launched her frame into the freezing waters. At first she snarled in shock, the cold tearing at her limbs like razors as she struggled to get to the struggled to resurface. Panicking her paws slapped at the aqua tides, bubbles streaming from her nostrils. After moments of kicking and twisting Arooix's head broke the calm surface. Retching the water she had swallowed and inhaled Arooix drifted towards Shadow, coughing lightly. Wadding, eventually after her dilemma her body adjusted to the temperatures of the river, also learning how to keep her body from sinking "It's gorgeous" her voice wheezed to the black figure beside her. Pushing Shadow with her shoulder she turned to him and smiled "Oh by the way - you won, I'll get you next time!" she vowed with a friendly gruff.

[Meesh]

Shadow grinned as Arooix splashed in after him, quickly adjusting to the cold of the water and paddling over to him. "Perhaps you'll win, perhaps not" the mix replied challengingly, happily ducking in and out of the water. The water was cool and nice on his fur, and the cold didn't bother him at all now that he was used to it. The smell of flowers in the air was great too, fresh and sweet and not at all like the earthy smell of the Maple Forest (which Shadow loved also) "Mom told me of this group that used to live here" he commented idly, paddling in circles in the water- once you got used to it, swimming was quite fun! - "They were called the C- the..." he paused, trying to remember the name. "Oh, right! The Cult! They hated males, I think" Mom says she used to be a member, but she quit once she realized what it was, and went back to Starpack