Dawnlark Plains speedy gonzales
207 Posts
Ooc —
Offline
#1
All Welcome 
@Shale <3 also @Grayday & @Spiritwalker for visibility; AW of course!
The boy's initial failure— he still blamed it on @Kasatka, of course— had, fortunately, not discouraged him for long. River awoke with a purpose that morning; he would see for himself what was outside the confines of the den. He moved around @Eventide carefully, determined to avoid repeating the first time he had done this. When he was certain he was in the clear, he only paused for a moment. The young Corten peered at the den entrance as if expecting someone to stop him. No one did.
So, he ran; he went as fast as his stubby baby legs would take him, straight out the den entrance. He didn't stop even as the overwhelming brightness hit him. There were smells! And— wow, it really was bright. River slowed a bit, blinking heavily. This wasn't exactly what he had expected.
Winterbourne's voice is low and raspy due to a throat injury during his childhood, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand him.
303 Posts
Ooc — mercury
Offline
#2
Shale had kept his distance from the whelping den, instead keeping a close eye on Pema. If it had been right--if she was to be pregnant--she would start exhibiting symptoms soon enough. It filled him with a mingled sense of dread and excitement. To have kids again!--but the fear of losing them, just like the last, was ever-present.

Today, though, he drew close, a rabbit in his jaws for Catori. The pups were still suckling, so she needed all the nutrients she could get. As he was about to deposit the prey by the mouth of the den, a small, gray blur shot out from the entrance, coming to a curious halt.

A pup!

He hadn't seen them properly, yet, and Shale gazed down upon it, setting the kill gently down. He padded over, glancing sideways at the den and wondering whether Catori knew one of the lot had gotten loose. The softest of smiles bloomed over his face, and he sniffed gingerly. One of the boys. Had the Sameth look about him already; would surely grow up strong and healthy. Gods willing.

"Hey there, kid," Shale crooned, sitting down with his tail curled around his paws. "What're you up to, out here?" He knew the kid probably didn't understand a word, but felt it necessary to strike up a conversation, anyway.
207 Posts
Ooc —
Offline
#3
River was shocked and pleased to see one of the big ones approach him; he was barely aware of his own tail wagging as he rushed towards the figure, knowing nothing of fear or caution yet. He came to a stop just a few inches away and mimicked the older wolf's expression, trying out a smile on his own face for the first time. The boy only held it for a moment. Suddenly, the big one was making noise at him— not just noise, he thought. They all seemed to make these noises, and perhaps they made sense of them, but he did not. Yet.
Maaah, He tried. Bamama. BUH! It wasn't going so well, so he gave up and reached up to prop his front paws against the bigger wolf's chest. He took some of the fur there into his mouth and chewed it aggressively, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Winterbourne's voice is low and raspy due to a throat injury during his childhood, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand him.
61 Posts
Ooc —
Offline
#4
This brother business was far too stressful for a pup, Eventide had decided. Kitten and River constantly insisted on getting themselves into as much trouble as possible, leaving Ty to come behind them and clean up their messes. While his brother crept from the den, he followed quietly, sure to not alert him of his presence. 

It didn’t take long for another Big Body to appear (where were they coming from?), and although this one seemed friendly, Eventide wasn’t having it. With his long tail raised and his ears perked on end, he trotted up to River and the Big Body and gave his most fearsome growl, hoping to scare their enemy away.
303 Posts
Ooc — mercury
Offline
#5
The wee boy babbled nonsense at him, and his heart melted. Chuckling, Shale let him chew on his chest fur to his heart's content, breathing in eau de puppy--milk and shit, mostly. He gave the boy a gentle lick over his head, smoothing down the tiny, floppy ears.

A small noise nearby made him look up to find another pup standing there, doing his best to protect his sibling from the evil he supposedly was trapped in. Shale gave a hearty laugh, shaking his head. Picking the first boy up and setting him down gently next to the other, he wiggled closer, ears perked and eyes widened in mock surprise.

"You scared me!" cried Shale, giving a little shiver. He put his nose on his paws, looking at the newcomer. "You're a fierce young man. Very brave. You're gonna protect us all when you grow up, huh?"
207 Posts
Ooc —
Offline
#6
River squeaked softly, a noise of pure delight, when the big one licked his head. He liked this big gray wolf! Unfortunately, his fierce, joyful chewing was interrupted by his killjoy brother. He turned at the growl, ready to tell Eventide to bugger off— this was his big one, after all, and he could find his own!
Quite suddenly, the young Corten felt himself lifted from the ground. He was on the ground again before he could react, but that didn't stop him. River turned, intending to tackle the big one's face (he had forgotten Eventide entirely), but lost his balance and fell sideways across it instead. He was limp for a moment, then noticed an ear and went after it.
Winterbourne's voice is low and raspy due to a throat injury during his childhood, and it can sometimes be difficult to understand him.
61 Posts
Ooc —
Offline
#7
Had Eventide been able to recognize his uncle's words, he would've given him a definitive, Hell yeah! Protecting this lot was his destiny, with his priority at the moment being set on his siblings. Seeing the Big Body cower gave Eventide a strong wave of pride, which he interpreted as courage, allowing him to approach and investigate without worry of harm. With gentle touches, Eventide used his snout to rub against Shale's paws and the region of his head that he could reach.
303 Posts
Ooc — mercury
Offline
#8
It was nirvana, being covered by strong, healthy puppies. He laughed as the happy boy fell across his face and then attacked his ear, rolling his head to give the kid better access. The brave one, placated by his mock surrender, came closer and nosed at his paws, and Shale gave him a gentle boop on the forehead with his snout.

"Strong, brave little guys," he murmured. They reminded him of himself and Grayday, when they were small. His eyes wandered toward the mouth of the den; there was a third, a girl, and he wondered where she was. Shale's stomach squeezed in nostalgia as he realized she was their Sunspot, their lone sister in the litter.

Life had a very funny way of repeating itself.