playful antics and sudden frantics

Was that a giggle he heard? Revan felt a brush against his shoulder, and as red eyes glanced over to see Arsa running by his side he could no longer hold back the smile that had been threatening to show on his face. The way his friend's ochre eyes were alit with life, how he seemed so eager, youthfully innocent, even; somehow, it had such an effect on Revan, he couldn’t bring himself to look away.

He should have looked where he was going- his front paws caught on a boulder as he galloped down the rocky slope. His eyes widened, grimacing as he anticipated the harsh smack of rocks to his face and a mouth full of dirt. But it didn’t come, he just barely managed to save himself and continue his stride, looking clumsy as possible.

Gah, what was that?! He never trips! He was agile, swift, and…distracted. He couldn’t figure out how Arsa had done that to him, but the little fumble was enough for the larger man to pull ahead, reaching the soft shore below just moments before Revan came bounding down, spraying sand on impact. "I let you win," Revan said to save his own pride. He could hardly believe that he’d lost his own game of racing, but the thought wasn’t on his mind for long. Ahead of them both lay the endless sea; white tides gently tumbling over darkened sand, threatening to lap at their paws with each rolling heave. Revan’s eyes swept the sands, taking in the various prints of birds, even a strange, long track as if something was drug along the beach. A tortoise, perhaps? What he noticed most though was that there were no wolf tracks, asides from Arsa and his walking side by side. He smiled down at the prints. He liked seeing the trails walking together like that. He looked back up to his companion a moment later, almost taken aback by his utter beauty. Arsa's pale fur seemed to have a certain radiance under the sun, and amid the glow of the white shoreline. Most of all, he seemed so relaxed, so happy… this truly was better than he had ever imagined.

Revan felt that he was staring, so he stepped forward, pressing his side against Arsa just enough, and gazed out into the infinite blue. He didn’t say a word, respecting the silence, the peace, and just breathed in the salty ocean air, relishing in the companionship. The dark male couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so at peace, both within his own mind and throughout the muscles of his body. But of course, Arsa always did make him feel so calm, like everything was alright. He wasn’t sure why, who else had made him feel that way? He was sure there was someone, but he couldn’t think of who, and at this moment he didn’t want to pry into his poor memory. All he wanted was to keep his best and only friend in mind.

"This is Revan speaking. This is Revan thinking which is dangerous.

“I’ll bet you did.” Arsa responded with that warm chuckle. Revan gave a 'hmph,' pretending to be butthurt, but he couldn't hold up the act for long. Not when nature herself was blessing the both of them with this perfect day. The breeze was warm and the oceans gentle lapping cool around his ankles, and the waves and gulls were consistent and peaceful. It all placed a subtle smile on the dark man's face - ever since that one day on the beach with Arsa, he had found himself quite fond of the memories the sea brought him, and he couldn't be happier to have found that endless water again, and to share it was his best companion. At least it wasn't as soggy and grey this time, either, but best of all was the presence at his side; pressing into his side, making his ears droop into relaxation. Revan shut his eyes, inhaling the warm, humid air slowly.

Suddenly, that comforting presence at his side was gone. Why? Where did it go? Arsa?! Red eyes flew open once more, searching for his friend before clamping shut again, water splashing his face. Then he heard that giggle again. So that's how it was, hm? Revan was quick to leap - or more like prance - after the larger male, shaking the seawater from his spiky pelt. His red-tipped tail was held higher than usual as he approached with a playful smirk. This was the most energetic he had ever seen the older man, and his exuberance was nothing but contagious. Revan hadn't felt so lively in...well, he didn't know how long, and he didn't care to count the days or months or years that it was. He was living in the moment at the side of a wolf who brought nothing but joy to him, and he was loving every minute of it.

But, his confident smirk lessened into more of s soft smile as he noticed Arsa's expression drop, and red eyes watched him curiously as he walked back to him. Was something wrong? Would this happiness end so soon after beginning?

“But um, really, are you hurt? You did… trip over a whole boulder,” Oh... Revan let out a disapproving scoff. "I could never be so meager as to trip," His spiky mane swayed as he threw his head back, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Do you even know who I am?" He continued as if holding some almighty power, making it clearly impossible for him to ever mess up. His gaze slid back to his friend slyly, wondering if he was buying the act. After a moment, he turned his head back to face his friend. "I'm fine, nothing hurts me." Sadly, he really did think that was true.

“What am I to do with you, hmm? Always getting hurt.” Revan took a step forward, leaning in close to Arsa as an arrogant, toothy grin spread across his pointed maw. His crimson eyes sparkled with a challenge. "Try and stop me," He dared with that low, gravelly voice. In one swift movement, the lithe man hopped and slammed his front paws into the surf, sending the biggest splash he could manage right into his pale companion, before darting away onto the beach, a rather cocky cackle escaping from his carefree smile.

"This is Revan speaking. This is Revan thinking which is dangerous.

Splash, splash, splash, splash, alongside a deep chuckle as Revan trotted in a half circle around Arsa, raising his legs high and pristine with each step. He kept a side-eye on his companion, watching him try to tame fluffy fur, Revan found himself unable to hold back a mischievous smirk. He thought of how Arsa splashed him just minutes before, and in his own competitive mind, he knew he won that game and he was very proud of himself. Just as white-tipped paws reached dry sand, red eyes caught the water-sodden wolf leaping through the surf after him, and with a daring grin Revan dodged away, bolting along the beach with ease. Tail raised and slashing the air, stride long, and spiky mane catching the breeze. He could still hear the joyous laugh of his friend, the impact of large paws in water and sand, and the occasional struggle. Revan didn't understand the issue- he felt as if he was floating along the coastline, and likely out-distanced the larger man, and after a moment, losing himself in the rhythmic gait. He found himself wondering just how long this beach went on; was there an end, or could he run along it forever? He felt as if he could, with endless endurance and eyes on the horizon. But then he thought, would Arsa stop to return home? Or would he join Revan? Would they run along together for-- flower.

Long legs suddenly stiffened, throwing sand as Revan skidded to a halt. Along the inland of the beach was clumps of salt grass, scattered between rocks and dunes of sand. Amidst this tall grass were stalks of white flowers, tall and splayed like a trees canopy. Revan had no idea what they were, but Arsa liked flowers, right? So he approached them, investigating the small, white buds. Although tiny, they almost looked like round berries...

He tested the waters, so to speak, by delicately pulling just a couple of the 'berries' from their stems. Phlegh!! Oh, it was so bitter, absolutely disgusting, phlegh plff fphugh.... his lip pulled back in disdain. Not the prettiest and certainly not the tastiest, but...it was a flower of sorts, so Revan snapped his jaws around the stalk and pulled it up; it would be a trophy, or a gift for his best - and only - friend.

He trotted back towards Arsa with head held high, the white patch of fur on his chest puffed out in pride.

"This is Revan speaking. This is Revan thinking which is dangerous.

Revan pranced right up to his friend, his canines showing around the plant in a daring smirk. 'Try and take it from me, I dare you.'

“They are pretty, aren’t they?” He sounded perfectly calm. No? No game? Perhaps Arsa was simply too innocent for even a game of stealing, Revan thought, and so he dropped the plant in front of him, he could have it... "I've seen better," Revan stated bluntly, glaring down at the plant as if it was a disappointment to its mother. "But, do you like it?" Red eyes rose back up to meet those of dull yellow, offering the slightest smile. He knew Arsa liked plants...and stuff, perhaps he could find his favorite. Revan just had no idea what plants were which, and though he could admire their beauty and use them as a way to show appreciation, as opposed to speaking it, he had no intention of ever learning. HIs copper-tipped tail waved over so slightly, perhaps a subtle wag poorly hidden by the breeze as he anticipated a response.

“Did you… eat it?” Not exactly the response that Revan was expecting, but oh well. Maybe this plant was notorious for tricking you into trying it and then tasting absolutely disgusting. Arsa should have warned him. Revan scoffed, rolling his red eyes to the side and down to the flower. "I have certainly tasted better, as well." He degraded the plant in a clear enough 'yes.' Perhaps this wasn't Arsa's favorite if he was only concerned about the taste. Revan turned to gaze over the inland shore, scanning the clumps of tall grasses to see if there were any more flowers.

"This is Revan speaking. This is Revan thinking which is dangerous.

“They are lovely, but there is a part of them that… makes them tricky.” Revan brought his red eyes back to Arsa, giving him a particular look with his brow. Apparently this would be another lesson on plants, he thought, silently amused at how anything could be made into a class, and for the most part, much to his dismay. Then, he watched, as Arsa's head dipped and sent the flowers flying with a fluid swing. Dark, pointed ears drooped to the side, Revan's expression falling to his usual frown. He could have just said he didn't like them... “Rev, you need to drink the ocean water as quickly as possible,”

"What? No," His response was to drinking the sea water, why on earth would he want to do that? But what Arsa had called him didn't slip his mind. 'Rev,' his lipped twitched just slightly as he thought it. He never really liked nicknames, and this was the first time Arsa had ever used one, surely. But, it was Arsa... Perhaps he could tolerate the name, or even grow fond of it. The man quickly brought him back to the matter at hand.

“We need to induce vomiting.” Revan only offered a confounded stare, his eyes squinting in bemusement. “Those plants are poisonous.” Oh. Oh...

As Revan registered those words the world around him fell away. He didn't see or hear Arsa anymore, he heard not the rolling of the waves or wind shifting through the salt grass, none of the soothing sounds that so harshly contrasted his inner thoughts. It felt as if his throat tightened with each rapid beat of his heart. He had done it. He had ruined it, thrown away this beautiful day with his companion. He had failed him. He had failed her. Magnolia, who had died of sickness, poisoning, something, and he was too foolish to save her. He was still a fool. Slowly he came back to the present, merely a shell of the happy man he had been before. He hid his emotions well; his descent into panic was soon masked by aloof self-loathing. He scoffed. "So," He finally spoke as he began a slow, unwavering walk towards the ocean water. Might as well follow along, even if it was a futile effort. "I'm going to die." His voice was a monotone, dull note of hopelessness. He hadn't expected it to be like this, honestly. He had always pictured going out with a bang, perhaps some massive battle. But somehow, dying by his own idiocy seemed fitting, he was only surprised it hadn't happened sooner. "About time..." He muttered to himself, morbidly amused.

Wading into the tide, it only took a few laps at the salty water to realize it was disgusting. He swallowed down all he could, feeling as if even functioning was too much. Revan stared down at the white foam swirling around his legs, wishing. Maybe a rogue wave would come and free him of this emotional imprisonment, taking him to the depths before the poison could stake its claim. It was ironic, how he had lost his companion to his failure, and now because of that failure Arsa would lose his. Poor Arsa... What had he done? His pointed muzzle showed his teeth, lips twisted in a frustrated grimace. He wasn't sure where Arsa was, but he hoped he was near.

"I'm sorry."

"This is Revan speaking. This is Revan thinking which is dangerous.