Chapter seventeen: Making A Splash
"So what was it like down there?" Rocky wondered, sprawling out on his towel, while the other pups all found one of their own to spread out for themselves.
"Wet, pretty, and we found a cave with gems in it!" Snowflake replied. She finished getting her scuba gear off, then kept drying her fur.
"How many were there?" Chase wondered, sounding more curious than anything. "Was this all you found?"
"No.. there were loads more than this.." Zuma replied with a shrug. "But we only wanted a little bit.. cause.. our little walrus friend was nice enough to let us in on his little secret hiding place."
"Well, at least you were considerate,.." Chester mentioned flatly. "'Can't say the same for some of us.." he finished letting his shameful gaze fall to his right with the turning of his head and flattening of ears.
"Chester, we've been over this," Chase almost complained. "You know what Boomerang would say.."
"Yeah, yeah, 'leave your mistakes behind and keep your focus on what's ahead.'" Chester recited, as though he'd heard it way too many times. Chase's expression softened, and he came over to nuzzle into his brother sensing that he needed it.
"Woah, this almost never happens!" Marshall whispered, trying not to let Chase hear.
"I heard that." Chase said, trumping this hope.
Snowflake finished drying off before wrapping herself in the towel.
"Woah!" the husky pup said as she tripped, the blue towel landing on top of her.
"I'm okay!" Snowflake said before starting to get out. However, her paws had grabbed the corners of the towel by accident, pinning her within the soft material.
"What?" Snowflake said as she tried to get up but couldn't. She groaned as she tried to free her paws, flailing about on her belly as she did so. This was not what she expected.
"Heh, Heh, Heh! Diving back in?.." Zuma chuckled.. "On the beach?"
"I tripped! Now I'm stuck!- Wait, diving back in? What are you talking about?" Snowflake retorted, confused by Zuma's comment.
"You look like you're splashing around in a small pool." The water pup smirked. "But on dry land!"
"Odd. Wait a minute…" Snowflake said before thinking about what Zuma had described. Suddenly, she had an idea, and it could work in more ways than one.
"Zuma, once we're dry, do you want to do something else?" the husky pup asked kindly. She was starting to get free of the blue towel.
"Like what?" The chocolate lab wondered curiously.
"Air swimming. When you're ready, we can head back to the Lookout, and I'll show you," Snowflake responded.
"Sweet!" Zuma cheered, remaining on his belly. "I'm totally in!"
"I'm all in for that!" Rocky smiled, as the three pups began to pretend-paddle. "Haha, this is one kind of swimming I can handle.. other than swimming with Merpups."
The other pups laid down as well.. all becoming increasingly enticed by their three friends to join in.
Soon nearly all of them were fake swimming upon the blue towels, which they'd all set out for themselves in the light of the sunny, sandy beach.
Chase hesitated, but finally decided to join them. But it only took a couple difficult strokes to twinge his shoulder ever so slightly into getting up again.
"Uhh.. you guys enjoy that.." he said, noticeably withdrawing confidence just a little bit.
"Actually, I have another way we could swim. Both on and under the water," Snowflake suggested, putting air quotes around 'water'.
"Like how?" Zuma wondered, sitting up abruptly and earning everyone's attention.
"Let's go to the Lookout and I'll show you. The rest of you can play volleyball here, or come with us," Snowflake offered.
"Um.. o-kay?" Zuma agreed.. rising from his towel to then follow her in a bit of a hurry.
xxxx
Snowflake ran inside the Lookout and looked for the blue sheet tent. She grabbed it and took it with her into the elevator then going up, Zuma slipping in with her right before the doors closed behind them.
"When we get to the top, I'll show you my surprise," Snowflake told the chocolate lab.
"Umm.. ok?" The chocolate lab in orange said.
They reached the top and got out of the elevator.
"Okay, so here's my idea!" Snowflake said, before throwing the blue sheet tent on top of Zuma. She threw it in a way so he was both in and under the sheet tent.
"Oof! Hiding?" He wondered, lifting it off his face with one paw.
"Not hiding. Swimming. Lie down and pretend you're swimming," Snowflake said.
"Ok but-" he blew at the material, trying and failing to clear his vision. "How do you swim when you can't see?"
"Just trust me. Lie down and pretend you're swimming," Snowflake replied.
"And what're you gonna do?" Zuma wondered when lying down.
"Waves. You'll see," Snowflake replied.
"Waves?" Zuma echoed, then waited quietly as a presence took her place at the far corner of the collapsed tent.
Snowflake walked around to the edge of the tent. Finding the flat sheet, she grabbed the edge, and slowly raised it up and down, making waves from the outside.
"Woah weird." Zuma commented, while continuing the pretend stroke.
"See the waves? It's like you're swimming underwater, without getting wet!" Snowflake commented.
"Cool," Zuma smiled, somehow finding the exit to peer out. "Rocky would love this." Then looking at her expression he could read it like a book.
"Oh,.. that was the point, huh." He realized in slight embarrassment. "Heh heh.."
"Yes. I wanted you to experience my plan first before Rocky. We can play with the blue sheets if you want," Snowflake retorted.
"Actually I think we should go show this to him right now!" Zuma thought, with a growing anticipation. "He's gonna freak!.. Come on!" Then taking up the tent on either side the two pups raced for the elevator.
xxxx
"I'm just saying." Ryder went on, sitting against his workbench so that he could lean comfortably on it.
"This whole situation's made things more difficult." He continued.
"Is that code for frustration?" Katie wondered, leaning her elbow on the table next to her, the elevator door right behind her. "Because that's how it sounds."
Ryder sighed.
"No,.." He said, though his tone slightly betrayed his words. "I've been able to cope with it, I guess. And I appreciate you stepping in to help, especially when I was held up in the hospital. Though I don't think I should've been there as long as I was."
"If you ask me, it wasn't long enough." Katie countered, coming toward him now. "You and Chase have had a rough go since getting out of there.. And we both know Chase has a harder time sitting still than you do."
"Right,.." Ryder sighed again. "At least I've been able to find ways to keep busy,.. 'course some of the time I was sleeping a lot.. likely out of boredom. But Chase? When he gets bored he almost literally climbs the walls. I know he doesn't try to, but he can kinda get a little.. overstimulated. I-.. kinda wondered if letting him loose would have been a better idea."
"And risk him getting hurt worse?" Katie interjected. "No chance!.. he needs to learn how to slow down just as easily you do. We just haven't found a way that works for him yet."
"Heh, sometimes I wish I could just toss that pup in a rubber room and keep him there till he heals.. other than when he's asleep, eating or actually calm." Ryder deadpanned with half a chuckle.
"Well, maybe someday we'll find something like that that will work." Katie encouraged him, when setting a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah,.. maybe." Ryder shrugged, returning a smile to match hers. "But hopefully soon he'll just recover and be back to normal again. He's been through so much in his life.. I'd just like to see it go back to more of a good normal again."
"The hope of every one of us, Ryder." Katie said, pressing her cheek to his for half a hug.
"You know,.. maybe we can do something that might help." Ryder thought.
"Go ahead and reach out to them." Katie suggested, sensing his meaning. And it almost surprised him how she read his mind. "But for now.. let's see if the pups can't do that themselves.. Just.. keep an extra eye on him and see what happens."
"Sounds like a plan." Ryder smiled.
"Now,.. let's get to reorganizing this garage." Katie decided, "you tell me what to do and I'll do what I can."
"Thanks, Katie." Ryder beamed, "wish I could be finishing a project I started."
"I'm sure you'll get to.. next time." Katie said, smirking.
"Ha ha! A never ending job." Ryder chuckled, running a hand through his hair.
"So is caring for six rambunctious pups." Katie added. And after sharing another laugh, they set to work.
xxxx
The pups all looked up when sensing movement coming their way.
"What in the world is all that?" Marshall wondered, rising to turn towards them in one step.
Zuma and Snowflake ran towards the group, still carrying the big, blue sheet tent with them. The tent fluttered as the two pups ran.
"The sheet tent Ned and I used. We can use it for swimming!" Snowflake answered.
"Swimming?" Rocky echoed, also turning to face them. "How do you use that to go swimming without any water?"
"Just give it a try, Rocky dude." Zuma answered, lifting the tent to hold it open for the mixed breed to enter; Snowflake preparing her part of the activity from the opposite corner to the water pup. "You'll love it! You'll see!"
"Yeah. I already gave Zuma a test run. He liked it," Snowflake added.
"All you gotta do is lay down and pretend you're swimming like you would in the water.. We'll handle the rest."
"Ok,.. here goes.." Rocky said, beginning to do so. Zuma then looked up and over at Snowflake and nodded as her cue to begin.
Snowflake started to wave the top sheet up and down so it made waves.
"Woah.." Rocky vocalized, looking up he was somehow able to watch the rippling effect of the blue sheets, and it reminded him of how the light danced around in the waves of the ocean in a similar way.
"Cool! Heh, heh, ha!" Rocky laughed, and the pups stacked up outside snickered as the pups on the top continued to wave the sheet around in a calm gentle manner.
The group had Rocky enjoy being 'underwater' for a while until Snowflake decided to ask Rocky a question.
"So Rocky, want to continue swimming or do you want to do something else?" Snowflake asked kindly.
As soon as the waves died down Rocky poked his head out to look at her.
"Why are you asking me?" He wondered.
"Why not?" Marshall answered. "I mean.. we'll all get a chance to hang out with her one on one."
"Exactly. I've already hung out with Skye and Zuma, now it's your turn," Snowflake answered.
"Oh.. um ok.. uhhhhh…" the mixed breed thought long and hard. "Oh! What about a hike out to Big View Trail! It's beautiful out there!"
"That sounds great!" Snowflake agreed.
"Alright! Green means go!" Rocky cheered pointing toward his vehicle before racing toward it with Snowflake not far behind.
"We can stop at the Lookout and get your vehicle before we go." Rocky said, when he'd jumped into the driver seat of his own. "Need a lift?"
"Sure," Snowflake said. She grabbed her blue sheet tent, folded it up, and took it with her as she jumped into the passenger seat.
"Great, then let's hustle!" Rocky announced.
"Hey, that's my line!" Chase protested, half-jokingly.
Then Rocky's vehicle sped off and merged onto Main Street, headed toward the fancy Lookout tower on the ridge above them.
xxxx
"Hah!" The two pups trudged along the path, one leading slightly ahead of the other, both immersed in their own thoughts as they walked along.
"Ever been on this trail before, Snowflake?" Rocky asked after a moment, to break the silence.
"No, I don't think so," Snowflake answered.
"Well, not far up ahead,.. you'll find out exactly why they call it that!" The mixed breed reeled. "You know, this is definitely more my speed, compared to parachuting and.. ick.. swimming." The distasteful emphasis on this last word was to be expected,.. but it was no less entertaining to experience the response now and again.
"Okay. Wait, parachuting?" Snowflake replied.
"That was what you were doing with Skye this morning, right?" Rocky monotoned, showing little interest in the activity and not in her friend's reply.
"Yes," Snowflake said.
Silence fell over the two pups, but as they glanced around they could see the start of the sky's color change and watched as the singing birds flew overhead. Likely heading toward they're homes, where they would lay to rest for the coming evening leading into the night.
Suddenly, Rocky saw something up ahead that brightened his gaze, and his tail began to wag with immediate excitement.
"We're almost there, Snowflake!" The mixed breed squeaked.
"Come on!" He called over his shoulder, as he took off running. "It's just around this bend!"
They're shadows stretched far behind them as they raced up the slow incline and around the bend, Rocky screeched to a halt which made Snowflake fumble over him. But when the pups looked up, their eyes popped wide and they awfully stepped free of each other to approach the edge of the trail's cliffside.
The shadows beginning to sneak from their invisible homes reached for whatever light was subsequently retreating. The sky's normal blue was starting to become a red-orange color, staining the clouds pink.
Lights from the various houses, dappled among the small valley of Adventure Bay, flickered like the lights of fireflies coming out to play. On the thought of lightning bugs a cluster of them arose nearby and scattered to the skies. Bats chirped with their waking stretches and their wings beat the air for their midnight ride on the soon-to-be starry skies.
"Pretty," Snowflake said.
"*sigh* Isn't it?" Rocky mused, almost swooning over the beautiful sunset where he laid down.
"Yes," the husky pup replied calmly.
"Do you guys ever just go for a hike?" Rocky wondered, as he sat up for Snowflake to join him.
"Sometimes with my owner in my hometown," Snowflake responded.
"Really? What's it like there?" Rocky wondered. "Is it as beautiful as this?"
"It CAN'T be as beautiful as this!" He added, bumping noses with Snowflake with how closely he came to stare at her.
"Similar, but not as beautiful. Picture a nice sunset while you're in a big forest. That's pretty much what our sunsets are like. Unless it's setting near the hills towards the west side of town. At least we have a decent view with the buildings on the sides," Snowflake replied.
"Oh,.." Rocky withdrew finally. "Huh, ok." He said, shifting a paw over the dirt beneath his paw. "I'm sorry you don't get to enjoy it as much."
"At least you get to now!" He realized, hopping forward into a playful crouch. "Come on! Let's keep going! We'll be back to our trucks in no time."
He began to walk again, heading off to their right even while the sky continued to turn and the air began to chill further.
"Sure. And actually, the sun looks more colorful here compared to Sunlight. We only get a yellow, orange or peach and orange sunset," Snowflake said.
"Huh," Rocky thought, as Snowflake hurried to fall in step with him. "That's a lot of orange.. I bet Zuma would be impressed! Ha..ha!"
"More like Zuma IS the sunset. Hehe," Snowflake countered amusingly.
"Ahahaha!" Rocky guffawed. "Totally!"
Suddenly they both stopped, Rocky's smile instantly faded as a breeze streamed by them; carrying a leaf along its free-willed path.
Hello again! We are back with another chapter Hot.. And.. Ready! Man, I haven't really had much to say lately, have I? Well as you can probably tell by now.. I have been able to post one new chapter a day.. and I suppose now I can reveal that is the plan for the next two weeks as well.. we still haven't finished the story yet, but we are certainly working on it!
That being said,.. I will do my best to make sure I continue to post every day as promised and when the next two weeks are up posting will likely be the same as it was before.. so we shall see what that bridge brings when we get to it. As always thank you for sticking with us and we appreciate your feedback! Thx!