kool-aid ain't the only thing that's red

Pura was first on the scene, yapping cheerfully at the sight of food. He ate like a digger - without grace - and expended energy even quicker, so any addition to the usual slop the adults served up was a bonus.

Amelie was a familiar face by now, but Pura had avoided a formal introduction. He felt pressure to speak, and it blunted the force of his personality considerably. Checking first to make sure that the girls has not yet caught sight of the present, he whisked towards Amelie like a practised sewer rat, slinking dramatically around the legs of an adult in the way. His tail must have tickled something, because the ash-grey Virtúte earned an affectionate nip for that.

Amelie was cleaning her face when Pura got there. The mere sight of food was enough to bring forth a fountain of drool, and it was with great difficulty - both physically and mentally - that Pura dribbled out the words. "Is Poo-a - .. yu- you's... you?" He deemed that to be a partially successful introduction, and did his best to look as important and official as Perry did when addressing a newer pack mate. Steel-grey eyes wandered to the freshly killed meat as if drawn by magnets, but the pup was determined to get through the serious business of exchanging names before eating. It was rare that he dared to practice in public, when there were so many ears around that might judge.