Autumn was finally upon them, bringing about cooler temperatures and falling leaves. The abundance of food was still good for the time being, but it was a sign that things would change in the coming months. They would need to be prepared for the coming winter for sure, bringing Apricot to his favorite fishing spots within the falls.

The three legged wolf leapt from rock to rock, his multi colored eyes watching the running water for signs of life. Patience was the key here, waiting for the perfect moment to strike any prey that happened to come by. Once Apricot found his perfect place to perch, he sat down like a statue, ears perked forward and body calmly poised for any action he might get this morning.

The fishing trip was also a good distraction. It had been hard attempting to get more followers for the kingdom, not to mention trying to live up to his sister's expectations. Being King was a daunting task for the young male, but he was willing to give it his all. What were the qualities of a good king? Apricot didn't really have any long lasting examples, as most that he knew or heard of had died of numerous causes.

They weren't around long enough for him to get attached to and learn from. No role models meant he literally felt like he was swinging this by the skin of his teeth. But Apple seemed to believe in him, and that was all he really needed. In the end, he just hoped that their luck would change and more followers would come. Also that this plague would leave them all alone, then they could move on with their lives.

Maybe Apple was only confident in their ability to lead a Kingdom together because it was not the few kings of their history she chose to think back on... but the legacy of several fierce queens. Oma alone was a force to be reckoned with, the monarch Apple herself had known growing up, guardian of the fruit royals when their parents chose to start a life of partial travel. Some part of her wondered what life would be like if she'd decided that life was for her, too; it was one she knew the appeal of, felt the call of, but simply couldn't bring herself to commit to. Cerberus had always seemed so torn between his duties at home and the two people he loved most in this world, and he always seemed so happy to come back to the kingdom... but she'd seen him out and about, too, and knew her Father was no unhappy creature. Would that have been her, a paw in two worlds, always trying to please someone else and never herself? Would she have liked it anyway, as her sire?

Apple worried less for the Kingdom and her brother, whom she had full faith in the capabilities of, and more for herself. She couldn't even muster the courage to ascend the mountain in their backyard, it was hard to talk to strangers, and she liked the quiet life she Apricot and Honoka alone were building here. That contentedness to waste away alone at the edge of the world scared her, but she couldn't reclaim her zest for life, either. Apple was stagnant, and bitter, and resented that stupid fucking pig for all he was worth. She hoped he fried up nice and crispy in hell where he belonged, right next to Yvonne, while sweet little Penumbra smiled down from above.

The plague had yet to touch them here, and the blood moon, while anxiety inducing, didn't actually seem to do much more than make it darker and darker.... maybe some long-lasting eclipse or something?? She wasn't an expert in weather patterns or whatever was up in the sky, and she didn't put stock in any particular gods or powers to have fear in her heart. It simply... was.
Apple could tell it was morning, but everything was stained red. She tried to ignore the phenomena, having enjoyed its prettiness into the dirt by now, and instead just padded along; no goal in mind, just a quiet, cool morning walk with the falls mists clinging to her golden coat. She caught a brief hint of her brothers scent through the fog and swiveled to follow it, tail swaying gently and steps languid. When she finally came into sight of him, it was clear he was fishing, and Apple avoided stepping in or throwing her shadow over the surface of the water as she picked her way to the opposite side of the pool he was in.

With a smile Apple kicked a little pebble into the water, and she saw at least three shadows move towards Apricot, unnerved but not terrified enough to hide at the bottom.