Post by Cody on Jan 24, 2020 23:18:46 GMT
((February 1st, mid-afternoon; setting is a lake in the forest, a fair distance from the Snuggly Duckling. Closed to @melody))
But still.
Cody had never felt he did well in indoor environments; they felt far too restrictive to him. Getting out, getting further away from the pub for what felt like the first time in several weeks... it was the same feeling as he'd known when he got back home at the end of a week of school, when he wanted nothing more than to put the feeling of being stuck indoors behind him and spent his weekends out in the Outback. His dad had put the love of nature into the boy; and even when he was rescuing animals from traps and snares, being out in the 'wilds' always felt like such a weight off Cody's mind, like he was where he... belonged.
He was far enough, now, from the Snuggly Duckling to get that same feeling here, and it was freeing. Cody had indulged himself for a little while, running and climbing and adventuring amongst the trees, letting himself be free of any responsibilities save for being the kid that he was. Of course, he was still careful not to trample underfoot or startle any animals who might have been out here; but that was just a natural reflex to the boy, at this point.
It was only as his path led him to the edge of a wide lake in a natural clearing, that Cody came to a stop. The child knelt down at the water's edge; his activity had brought out a light sweat, and he gathered a handful of water, splashed it on his face to cool himself down. Blinking the liquid out of his eyes, but otherwise letting it trickle down his forehead and cheeks, the boy settled where he crouched, taking a look around him.
The lake was quiet, but naturally so. He could hear birdsong in the air, the gentle rustle of small animals darting here and there through the undergrowth, the occasional light splash of something diving. Nothing intrusive, nothing that directly related to him; just animals going about their daily lives, blissfully undisturbed. Cody didn't try to stop a smile as he leaned back slightly, just enjoying the setting. He could relax here a bit, Cody figured; the afternoon was early yet, and he had plenty of time to make it back to the Snuggly Duckling before dark. He could--
Wait--
Abruptly, the boy sat up straight again. He wasn't sure, hadn't been paying close attention... but he could have sworn he'd seen something moving beneath the water, a way from the shore; something bigger than any of the tiny fish he'd glimpsed so far. He couldn't, now, see further trace of it; but curiosity had him firmly. Though he made sure not to fall in, Cody shifted as close as he could to the water's edge, peering across the lake.
He might have just imagined it, true; but something told him that wasn't the case. And if it truly was a much bigger fish - for he had a feeling the whatever-it-was had been close to his own size - the he wanted to see if he could catch a better glimpse of it the next time it brushed the surface. Back home, he knew far fewer marine animals than he did mammals, or even avians or reptiles; maybe he could even have the chance to make a new friend.
It didn't quite occur to the lad that he might be in for a bit of a different surprise, on that count, than he'd bargained for.
It was nice, it was always nice to just get outdoors. To be in the fresh air, to feel the light breeze tickling through his fluffy hair... Cody idly ran a hand through the thick blonde locks, breathing out a tension that he hadn't quite realised had been building up in him. It wasn't anything big, really; and it wasn't like he wasn't allowed to come and go around the Snuggly Duckling as he pleased, so long as he got his chores done.
Cody had never felt he did well in indoor environments; they felt far too restrictive to him. Getting out, getting further away from the pub for what felt like the first time in several weeks... it was the same feeling as he'd known when he got back home at the end of a week of school, when he wanted nothing more than to put the feeling of being stuck indoors behind him and spent his weekends out in the Outback. His dad had put the love of nature into the boy; and even when he was rescuing animals from traps and snares, being out in the 'wilds' always felt like such a weight off Cody's mind, like he was where he... belonged.
He was far enough, now, from the Snuggly Duckling to get that same feeling here, and it was freeing. Cody had indulged himself for a little while, running and climbing and adventuring amongst the trees, letting himself be free of any responsibilities save for being the kid that he was. Of course, he was still careful not to trample underfoot or startle any animals who might have been out here; but that was just a natural reflex to the boy, at this point.
It was only as his path led him to the edge of a wide lake in a natural clearing, that Cody came to a stop. The child knelt down at the water's edge; his activity had brought out a light sweat, and he gathered a handful of water, splashed it on his face to cool himself down. Blinking the liquid out of his eyes, but otherwise letting it trickle down his forehead and cheeks, the boy settled where he crouched, taking a look around him.
The lake was quiet, but naturally so. He could hear birdsong in the air, the gentle rustle of small animals darting here and there through the undergrowth, the occasional light splash of something diving. Nothing intrusive, nothing that directly related to him; just animals going about their daily lives, blissfully undisturbed. Cody didn't try to stop a smile as he leaned back slightly, just enjoying the setting. He could relax here a bit, Cody figured; the afternoon was early yet, and he had plenty of time to make it back to the Snuggly Duckling before dark. He could--
Wait--
Abruptly, the boy sat up straight again. He wasn't sure, hadn't been paying close attention... but he could have sworn he'd seen something moving beneath the water, a way from the shore; something bigger than any of the tiny fish he'd glimpsed so far. He couldn't, now, see further trace of it; but curiosity had him firmly. Though he made sure not to fall in, Cody shifted as close as he could to the water's edge, peering across the lake.
He might have just imagined it, true; but something told him that wasn't the case. And if it truly was a much bigger fish - for he had a feeling the whatever-it-was had been close to his own size - the he wanted to see if he could catch a better glimpse of it the next time it brushed the surface. Back home, he knew far fewer marine animals than he did mammals, or even avians or reptiles; maybe he could even have the chance to make a new friend.
It didn't quite occur to the lad that he might be in for a bit of a different surprise, on that count, than he'd bargained for.