Stargazing

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Klar took as much time out of her day as she could to explore Lawa Ridge's territory. She felt that she needed to familiarize herself with it quickly to protect the pack adequately in future - especially if she wanted to be a scout. Klar had just left the den a little while ago, as quietly and discreetly as she could, to venture out in the territory. The she-wolf tilted her head up, seeing that the moon provided hardly any light, and thought that maybe she should have gone another night to the mountains. She didn't like the dark. Although she could easily guide herself with her sense of smell, Klar was all things spatial. If she were to learn something new, all she had to do was observe, and she'd have it down. Now that she could hardly see a thing in front of her muzzle, Klar was uncomfortable. Her golden-brown fur stood on end as she took cautious steps forward. After picking her way through the undergrowth, Klar emerged into a clearing. The slight smell of wolf wafted to her nose, and she took a look around to find its source. The terrain here was all rock, now that she was higher up the mountain. The she-wolf's blue gaze narrowed and caught sight of steam rising from multiple pools in the area. Her eyes lit up, and she padded forward to explore the springs. As she went, she caught sight of another wolf, one from her pack... Omen perhaps? The newcomer approached, her claws clicking on the rocky surface. Klar spoke up, "Hullo. Would you mind if I joined you?" She had to ask, just to make sure that she wasn't going to disturb him.

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Klar stepped back when the wolf sprung up and faced her. At first she was a little surprised, her blue eyes wide and her paws placed in a defensive stance, but she soon relaxed and a melodious chuckle rose from her throat, “Oh, I’m so sorry! I tried not to startle you.” Klar smiled as she saw Omen relax. The male then spoke up, “Sorry, I was not expecting company. What brings you up here so late in the day?” First, the golden brown she-wolf glanced down, shuffling her paws a bit. She couldn’t recall if she wasn’t allowed out at night, so she was a bit flustered. But, she explained herself truthfully, “Well, I’ve been exploring the territory as much as I can recently. Figure I need to get to know it.” Klar followed as Omen stepped out and away from the spring. She’d add to her explanation quickly, “Oh, you didn’t need to step out. I mean, unless you wanted to be out here in the cold again.”

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Klar watched as Omen looked back. Seemed you were comfortable. And I wouldn’t mind getting a chance to dip into the hot spring myself, Klar thought. Just as this went through her head, Omen said, ”Considering we have both taken the time to venture all the way up here, would you like to join me for a bit of stargazing? It can be a good way to rejuvenate oneself after a tiresome journey.” Klar agreed with this, in fact, she loved stargazing. Though, she didn’t know if he meant to go back into the spring or to lay in the forest. Either way, Klar would be perfectly happy. She was warm-blooded, so the cold wouldn’t bother her much, but she did enjoy anything water-related. The feel of water’s flow against one’s form was heavenly, she thought. Water, being a liquid, was such an agreeable substance. It allowed for smooth, graceful motion, and gravity didn’t weigh one down too much. If Omen meant to lay on the forest floor, Klar would come back tomorrow to enjoy the springs. Though, she did clarify this, ”I would love to! Do you mean in the spring, or somewhere soft to lay out here?”

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Klar’s ears swiveled forward as Omen padded to the spring. ”Unless you would like to go somewhere else, that is,” the wolf said. Klar smiled, quickly replying, “No, this is good.” She’d then pad on over to the side of the spring. Klar knew it would be boiling hot, and sucked in a breath as she cautiously stepped into the water. Just as she thought, her skin tingled and stung as she stepped in. Klar raised the next paw, placing it in the water. The she-wolf continued to step forward, not minding the extreme temperature difference too much. She’d turn her head to peer at Omen, warning him, “Just so you know, I don’t spend long in these. I get too hot, and feel heavy. I’ll probably just get out and lay right next to the spring then.” The she wolf was now submerged in the water, and pushed off from the ledge to swim to the other side. Surprisingly, she was quite at-ease in the water, very graceful. It seemed like she belonged, just as any other water-dwelling creature would. Klar arrived at the other side, several feet away from where they stepped in, and turned back to face Omen as he went in.

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Klar joined Omen in gazing up at the stars above. The bright spots of light amidst the dark void filled the she wolf with wonder. What would it be like, if I could fly up there? Could I jump from star to star? she questioned. I wonder what it would be like to be in an abyss of darkness like that, and to look around and see those bulbs of light, going off in every direction, infinitely. To see no end to the space around me. While Klar was thinking about all this, she’d glance to the mentor. Her brow furrowed at his expression. “Are you alright?” she’d interrupt, leaning forward to look at him.

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