The wind keeps worrying at the stone outside, but the hollow stays still and warm. River is tucked near the food bundle, and the rest of the team settles into a loose half-circle around her.
Mack
That wolf has better manners than most strangers we meet, once he decides to use them.
Mack’s tail gives a slow, dry wag, but his eyes stay on River, waiting to see how she takes the question.
TicTac
I did not like him at first. I still do not. But he moved when River told him to.
Harold
That is what I keep trying to sort out. He helps, then he watches, then he helps again.
Harold’s ears tip back, not quite arguing now, just thinking out loud. Joseph Lafayette glances from face to face, taking in the rhythm of it all.
Banks
I said I would keep watch. I did not say I would be invisible.
A few quiet huffs pass through the group. Even Pine lets out a low breath that might almost be amusement. The circle loosens another fraction, warm fur against warm fur, as the storm stays outside where it belongs.
“"He can be a bit irritating at times, but he's been helpful and that's worth something. We never really got the chance to play with him much," she turns to Banks "what sort of games do you like?"”
SUCCESS (Good Inspiration, rolled +2)
River lets the quiet stretch a moment, then turns her muzzle toward Banks. Her tone stays even, almost conversational, as she folds his usefulness into the room with the others.
River
He can be irritating, but he has been helpful, and that matters. We never really got the chance to play with him much... what sort of games do you like?
Banks
Banks’ ears angle forward. He blinks once, caught off guard by the question, then his posture loosens by a breath.
Banks
Games? Chasing, mostly. Testing footing. A good bluff, if that counts. Anything that makes another creature show its true shape.
Mack’s mouth twitches. TicTac glances sideways at Banks, then at River, as if waiting to see whether the answer is a trick.
Harold
That explains a few things. I thought you were only being difficult.
Banks
I can be both.
A low ripple of quiet passes through the huddle. Even Joseph Lafayette pauses his watch on the gear, listening as the storm presses faintly at the stone.
Banks
If you mean games for a group, I know one. Track a scent, lose it, find it again. Cleanest way I know to learn who stays calm.
“She play bows with a surge of zoomies and a mischievous twinkle in her eye "Who stays calm? While playing?" She rushes up and taps him before bouncing back "you're starting to sound like Pine," she offers with a goofy, mischievous grin.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -1)
River springs up in a sudden, playful burst, pads skidding on the packed snow. She tags Banks with a quick tap, then hops back with a bright, mischievous grin.
River
Who stays calm while playing? You are starting to sound like Pine.
Banks
Banks blinks, then lets out a soft huff that is almost a laugh. 'That is a fair insult.'
Mack
Mack’s ears perk, and his mouth quirks. 'Careful, Banks, that is how you get recruited into the serious end of the team.'
TicTac
TicTac watches the exchange, tension easing from his shoulders as he tries not to grin.
Banks
'I would make a dreadful sled dog,' Banks says, settling back on his haunches. 'But I might be useful at games that involve track, bluff, and patience.'
Harold
Harold’s skeptical look fades into something looser. 'So you do have a sense of humor. I was beginning to suspect otherwise.'
The huddle answers with small shifts, a tail thump here, a shoulder uncurling there. Outside, the storm murmurs against stone, but inside the shelter, the air feels warmer around River's easy tease.
“River uses a jab to provoke a playful chase "Can you imagine the sophistication of Pine and Banks playing together?" She shifts into a playful imitation of Bank's voice "The trail was exactly 8 dog lengths, 3 dog widths, and two paws from where I'm standing, if you can figure it out you will truly be a clear signal," she hops playfully sideways and imitates Pine's voice "Indoubitably, it is exactly where you said," she play bows excitedly, looking for either Pine, Banks, or both to chase her.”
SUCCESS (Good Inspiration, rolled +1)
River bounces sideways with a sly little flourish, turning her tease into an invitation. The cramped shelter fills with the scratch of paws on packed snow as she baits the idea of a chase, not a contest.
River
Can you imagine Pine and Banks playing together?
River
The trail was exactly eight dog lengths, three dog widths, and two paws from where I am standing.
River
Indoubitably, it is exactly where you said.
She drops into a play bow, tail high, eyes bright, and waits.
Banks
Banks gives a low, startled snort, then rises into a loose crouch. 'That is an outrageous performance.'
Pine
Pine’s ears tilt, and a rare hint of amusement touches his muzzle. 'It is, technically, accurate enough to be insulting.'
Mack
Mack huffs a laugh and shifts his weight forward. 'I think you have successfully invited trouble.'
“River dashes away, making use of the available space in the shelter and looking back hoping Pine, Banks, or both follow.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +0)
River springs up from the bow and darts across the packed snow, light on her paws. The shelter seems smaller for a heartbeat, then the others turn to follow the motion instead of the storm.
Banks
Oh, that is plainly a challenge.
Banks lunges after her with a rough, playful bound, skidding a little on the hard floor. Pine follows a moment later, ears forward, his dry composure giving way to interest.
Pine
If this is a chase, River, you picked the worst possible ceiling.
Mack shifts aside to clear space, laughing under his breath. Harold watches the line River cuts through the shelter, then lets out a short, unwilling snort.
Harold
She does know how to get attention.
TicTac leans in, brighter now, while Joseph Lafayette looks from one darting shape to the next, relieved to see the team moving as one. The snow hiss at the entrance keeps the storm outside.
Mack
Well? Are we all following, or just admiring her work?
“River hides behind Mack, using him as a playful obstacle "like it or not, you're involved now!"”
FAILURE (Good Agility, rolled -2)
River ducks toward Mack, trying to vanish behind his broad shoulder, but the packed snow makes her skid short. Her paws scrape, and the cover she wants becomes a clumsy half-circle around him instead.
Mack
Bold choice. I am not sure I approve of being drafted into it.
Mack sidesteps with a grin, blocking her neatly rather than helping her hide. The move leaves River plainly in view, but it also opens a lane for the others to pour around them.
Harold
That was almost clever.
Pine
She wants the team moving, not just laughing.
TicTac edges closer, bright-eyed, and Banks slows just enough to watch River's failed ambush with open amusement. The huddle tightens instead of breaking, bodies brushing warm against warm.
Joseph Lafayette
If you want us involved, River, you may have found a better way than hiding.
River catches a glimpse of Mack's braced stance and the clear space he leaves beside him, a ready opening for the next move. Above them, a faint sift of snow slips from the unstable shelf and taps the stone like a warning beat.
The storyteller must determine if the body language interpretation skill check succeeds to avoid misinterpretation.
“River stops suddenly and looks nervously at the unstable shelf. "On second thought, serious play definitely has its good points. We should go."”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
River stops the game cold, and the huddle answers at once. Paws still, shoulders square, eyes flick up to the shelf as the last joke drains out of the air.
River
On second thought, serious play has its good points. We should go.
Mack shifts first, making room without a word. The rest of the team follows his lead, the loose play snapping back into ready attention.
Harold
That sounds like River again.
Banks
Good. The storm does not wait for laughter.
Joseph Lafayette gathers the food bundle and checks the sled gear while the dogs bunch tighter around the opening. Above them, a thin wash of snow trickles from the unstable shelf and taps the stone.
The passage ahead feels sharper now, less like shelter and more like a mouth waiting to close. The team is together, but the question of River's next call hangs in the cold air.
“River stands in place, looking to Joseph to hook her up and the team "Banks, can you give us directions like you did before? You know the area well."”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
River stands her ground in the windbreak mouth while Joseph works the harness into place. Her question goes to Banks, and the wolf’s ears tilt once before he answers with a short, practical route through the pass.
Banks
Use the left lip of the shelf, then cut back to the stone teeth. The center narrows hard ahead.
Joseph catches the line and clips it in, but the metal bites cold against River’s shoulder as the tug settles. A few grains of snow shake loose overhead and patter down beside them.
Harold
That is useful, coming from him.
Mack shifts closer to River’s flank, now all business again, while TicTac and Ally tighten their stance behind him. The team’s attention narrows from play to path, and the shelter feels smaller for it.
Joseph Lafayette
Then we move now. River, call it.
Above them, the unstable shelf gives another faint trickle of snow, a thin warning that the pause is over whether they like it or not.
The storyteller must determine if the body language interpretation skill check succeeds to avoid misinterpretation.
The storyteller must determine if the shared cues are misinterpreted based on the context of the interaction.
“Once everyone is hooked up, River waits for the signal to mush.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
River holds at the mouth of the windbreak, and the team settles into the last tight pause before the call forward. Snow sifts from the shelf above in a thin, steady trickle.
Joseph Lafayette
Now. Easy and steady.
At the signal, the line takes weight in unison. River feels the harness bite and the team answers together, the pause ending cleanly.
Mack
Good. Keep it that way.
Harold
Finally.
TicTac and Ally press in behind Mack, matching the start without a stumble. Pine falls into step so close the pack almost brushes as one body.
Banks
The left lip is the safer line. They are ready.
The windbreak falls behind them as they move out, and the shelter is left empty in their wake.
The storyteller must determine if the body language interpretation skill check succeeds to avoid misinterpretation.
“River follows the tone of the command, avoiding sudden manuevers or overexertion.”
SUCCESS (Great Survival, rolled +2)
River keeps her pull measured, letting the harness carry the command without a jerk. The line follows her restraint, paws finding the same steady cadence.
Mack
That is the pace. Hold it.
Therefore, the team crosses the last rough shelf together. No dog surges, lags, or breaks formation, even as snow whispers down from above.
Harold
I read her call. I will match it.
The pass opens onto a broad, sheltered shelf. Behind them, the unstable overhang gives a deep crack, and a white slide seals the narrow route they used.
Banks
The mountain has closed that road. Your pack is through.
Joseph brings the sled to a controlled halt on firm snow. The dogs remain shoulder to shoulder, breathing hard but steady, their shared rhythm now an answer to every doubt.
TicTac
I stayed with River.
Quest Complete
Hold the team together through the rest of the pass
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Good→Great