Sawtooth Spire Why So Serious

The whelp before him positively vibrated. Tatsuya tried to touch the pup's nose with his own, but Pingasut – little stinker – was quick to see if he had any food to spare. Of course, the answer was a definitive no. And yet that did not stop the rabbit he ate this morning to lurch uncomfortable in his stomach. He heaved dryly once, twice. No! Stay down! Much to Tatsuya's dismay, it did not, in fact, stay down. Maw parting, he heaved a third time. Out came some partially regurgitated strips of meat. Enough to whet all four pups' respective appetites. Damn it! I needed that...Sourly, he bared his teeth at the fox. Pups needed sustenance, but this little shit right here was acting like he was starving!
Passing over Pingasut with a displeased growl – tongue slopping over the pup's head – did he approach the timid Sitamat. Sensing the boy's timidity, Tatsuya went through the motions as slowly as possible. Don't wanna spook him too terribly. From where the wolverine was standing, though, the plump cub looked like an extra limb of Tonravik. He chortled briefly, amused. Atuaserk's hellish snarls caused Tatsuya to look behind him. The spawn of satan was hanging by the scruff, positively pissed to be handled in such a way. And who else could the handler be other than Echelon. He smirked at her. Got your paws full, huh? Like attracts like, it seems...though Atuaserk's got some growing up to do if he wants to match the asshole that is Echelon.
Turning his attention back to Sitamat, he resumed his approach. Eyes fixed upon the pup for giveaway signs of discomfort, Tatsuya lowered himself to the ground to crawl. The pup didn't have Pingasut's fire. So then what did he have?

A terrible, horrible sound filled the clearing, audible to her over the sounds of puppyish growls and sounds. Gold eyes switched to none other than Kapvik as he vomited regurgitated food for the Iqniq mini-me. Her nose wrinkled, stomach churning; the smell of stomach acid was distasteful to her and it was likely this act that brought her to stand. Moving closer to the Alpha pair, she nudged both of them roughly before venturing back to the borders, obviously having had enough of the little parasites — and anyone's stomach contents — for the day.

Exit Nanuk.

Atuaserk was quick to be reprimanded for his trouble-making, being heaved into the air by the smallest of the adults. He felt something pull him to his brother, to help him in his plight as he fought against the female, but his cautiousness held him back. Instead, he watched, slightly frightened, sinking into Tonravik's fur a little further. His brother's snarls upset him, along with the movement from the other wolves, and all the smells and sounds.

The large white one veered close to his parents to nudge them, and Sitamat cowered, watching her go and only straightening up again when she disappeared entirely. Suddenly, there was a violent heaving sound, followed by the tell-tale smell of dinner being served. The boy whipped his head around and his tail began to wiggle as he saw a heap of regurgitated meat being presented to Pingasut. The one who shared his meal was a large, dark wolf, similar to Tonravik. He had streaks of lighter markings, though, similar to Iqniq. Sitamat stared at him curiously before suddenly realising he was making his way towards him!

The youngest whined and pressed himself against his mother, rigid as he watched the man creep ever so slowly forward. The scent of meat hung heavily on him, and that prompted the boy to edge away from Tonravik, inch by inch, towards the stranger. His nose wiggled as he got closer, wanting to share some of his meal, too.

In spite of the snarling ball of anger lodged between her jaws, Echelon reared up to cart him back towards the action. There wasn't much else she had her focus on with him, toying with him surprisingly gentle in spite of her inclination to toss him aside and skirt off to nowhere. She wheedled in close to where Nanuk began to depart, and deposited her collection before his parents with a snort. She dared to bat him towards them, though if nothing else it was more like a shove meant to corral him in with the others.

And with a fair assessment of the leading pair, she offered a faint wave of her tail before venturing off herself.

last post!

Success! His actions caused the dark male to present a meal, with a side order of teeth and a growl for ambience. This caused the pup to pause, but he soon realized that his packmate was not making a threat toward him, and so after the wolverine licked his head and moved on to Sitamat, the third born moved in to chow down.

He did so daintily with fineese: he delicately pinched a strip of meat and pulled it from the pile, proceeding to consume it with small bites that insured he did not accumulate a mess about his mouth. He repeated this for a second and third strip of meat. His brother, the one who took after their mother as much as he took after their father, came in for his share. Satiated, the fox moved aside, retreating back toward their parents where he laid down to rest with a full belly as the pack started to disperse.

It had been a very excited day, and he dozed with a gently wagging tail and lips formed into a small smile.

I was thinking Tat could leave with @Aariak. That okay with you Anthony?

Right off the bat, Sitamat began to shrink into his mother's touch. Tatsuya couldn't blame the whelp; all of them – from polar bear to wolverine – were unforeseen developments. Bad enough to take in the world around them, but now they got hulking wolves to worry about too. Not wishing to infringe himself upon the tubby cub, the wolverine stopped and waited.
The pup didn't keep him waiting long, neck extended, wet nose sniffing away. Smell something, did he? Gee, I wonder what it is. Glancing back revealed that the pile of grub he had lain out minutes ago has since lessened in its pulpy heap to nonexistent. That was fast. Out the corner of his eye laid a halcyon Pingasut. The fox's stomach bulged, seeming to teeter on busting. Despite his underhanded tactics earlier, the sight of him now warmed his heart.
The Delta also noticed how Nanuk and Echelon have dismissed themselves. Considering how generally uncomfortable they were among Iqniq and Tonravik's brood, their absence came as no surprise. Tatsuya did not understand why they left so soon. Pups were pups; they were one of them now. Before long they would contribute. In the meantime, the adults had opportunities to impart their worldly knowledge on these babes. Be it fighting, hunting, healing, etcetera – they'd not be left wanting. They needn't share blood for love to take root.
Tatsuya frowned as his eyes settled on Sitamat. “Sorry Sitamat. I'm fresh out.” Sparing any more would be cutting it awfully close. There was an emptiness in his stomach that needs filling. He looked to his snow cloaked pack mate Aariak. Perhaps the Inuit would offer Sitamat something to eat?

Sure!

Aariak was content to just watch the pups this time. From a distance, Aariak's orange eyes followed every move the pups made, along with the adults' reactions to the youngsters' clumsiness. None of them, not even himself seemed so excited about this opportunity as did the wolverine, Kapvik. He'd been the only one of the adults to purposefully dive into interacting with the pups, and had even shared his meal with them... Via vomit.

The sight amused the caretaker. Obviously, Kapvik did not have any intentions to give away his food, but instinct had been stronger this time. Pingasut couldn't look more satisfied about it. Smiling from ear to ear, the pup re-ate the food, strip by strip, and then went back to sleeping on his round belly.

Aariak's eyes met with Kapvik's for a moment. It seemed that Sitamat was trying to pull Pingasut's trick off on the wolverine again, but this time it wouldn't happen. Aariak shook his head, refusing to barf for anyone. He needed his food to stay down. He was only watching today. In fact, he had watched enough. He got up, and jerked his head gesturing for Kapvik to follow. He barked at his superiors, dismissing himself, and set foot to find something to do for the rest of the day.

Today had been the first step towards doing his job as a caretaker. He had been passive this time, but he knew that there would be plenty of time to get to know each pup the right way.

Aariak did not seem intent on feeding Sitamat, either. To this, he shrugged. Actually, Aariak has been distant every since he arrived. Why is that? he wondered, clueless. Maybe there was some underlying reason similar to the two who took their leave before. Knowing nothing of Aariak's aspirations, the wolverine thought that there must be a reason for his continued distance, but what...? What could it possibly be?
The pallid male summoned him. Struck with indecision, Tatsuya deliberated. Before long, he thought it best to go with Aariak. If he was leaving, that would make the Delta the only underling left and he didn't want that. Maybe the parents want some alone time with their children? Who would he be to deny them that? With a whimper, he nosed four's round head before rising. Sorry lil fella. Maybe next time. He made to leave, nearly departing entirely...before stopping to say his farewell to Tonravik and her mate. Gazing lovingly upon the scene – promising to cherish this moment always – Tatsuya turned tail and left, breaking off into a gallop to reach Aariak.