A Moment of Respite

Even with the dried ground underfoot and the brittle grass and twigs snapping with the slightest touch, this drought couldn't keep its grip on the land for long. A sweet, summer breeze stirred through the dry foliage, the swaying branches of the thinning woodline casting blotches of light into the deeper shadows of trees, carrying the promising scent of water and fish; a relief from this dry landscape.

With delicate steps, the young man carried himself at a brisk, gathered jog. Cassius felt like he had been stuck in these woods forever, traversing the twists and turns of prey trails, hoping to find some break from the trees. He had nothing against the forest, of course, but lately something had been off about it for him- the dense trees just seemed so tight, so claustrophobic...he thought it was probably because he was alone. He had never been alone in the vast forest before. But! He perked up a little, short, rounded ears pricked towards the trail before him, he could sense a lake ahead, and that would allow him to quench his thirst and relish in the paradise of an open lake...

...and what a paradise it was. Cassius strode from the treeline, the reds and tans of his pelt practically glowing in the warm lighting of sunset. The scene was set so perfectly, like something from a dream. He couldn't help but stop right in his tracks, awe-struck by how the expanse of water shined with oranges and yellows, and the purples of dimming sky. Dark silhouettes of the shoreline rippled across the water to either side, as if framing this perfect moment. Golden eyes sparkled with admiration, and had it not been for his dry tongue longing to drink, he wouldn't have broken from his trance. Without taking his eyes off the sparkling lake, Cassius padded forward, lapping it's sweet, refreshing waters as he waded into the lake until the little waves soaked the soft fur of his belly. With the currents swirling around his legs and the soft breeze ruffling his thick coat; it was a different world entirely, one far better than the dry, dusty grasp of the drought around this land. Not to mention just how open it was, he felt as if he could breathe again without the forest judging his every step.

Perhaps, it was a little too open, however...Cassius hadn't even noticed the one already occupying this part of the shoreline.

Ahh, the lake water felt so sweet on his dry tongue, so refreshing, and very well needed. Cassius was engulfed in the lake's glory, with its soft current shifting the fur on his legs, the reflection of the sunset seemingly pointing right to him, the cool summer breeze skimming the surface, and the little splashes of hunting fish coming from the shore behind him... Wait, that didn't seem right, how were fish hunting on the shore? His ears flicked back in slow realization. "Hello, stranger." Cassius let out an audible gasp. Jolting, he spun around, though the weight of the water tripped him - with a splash, he stumbled to a sitting position. He likely looked like a startled pup trying to hide something wrong that they did.

"Oh! H-hello...!" The young male stuttered out. His voice held a welcoming tone, but with his eyes wide and rounded ears pinned back, he looked terrified. He hadn't expected another wolf to be here, he hadn't even bothered to look. Perhaps that was his first mistake. Caldera likely would have warned him against that... Golden eyes gazed up at the stranger; a male, it seemed, with an earthy pelt and awkward smile. He wasn't exactly large, to Cassius' relief, though that didn't always mean he couldn't be a threat.

Instinctively he lowered his head, long cheek fur brushing the water's surface. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that this place was occupied," he said with an apologetic smile, hoping it would be enough to thwart any potential offense. He really should have paid better attention, to both pack scents and who was in the area around him.