Dawnlark Plains My daughter
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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#1
@Faye was three weeks old now and Aviana had barely left her side. While she was an attentive mother, and protective, she would still allow other wolves to come visit, if they so wished. She trusted her packmates, and there weren't any that she was afraid would hurt her only child. When it came to other creatures, however, she was sure to scurry them off quickly. 

She nosed at Faye gently, her warm tongue attempting to groom the dirt off of her. She was still in awe that she gave life to this precious little pup, and in the coming months, would most likely be very diligent in her upbringing. But the new mom also understood that she couldn't raise her alone. The pack would be a huge influence over Faye, and help guide her in this life.
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eyes fluttered open to reveal round gaze thoroughly disturbed at being awoken from her dreamless slumber. she released the teat she'd been clutching with a barely audible squeak, wriggling under her mother's ministrations. falling onto her side, tiny forepaw batted at the dark nose attached, somehow, to the bothersome tongue, another, louder cry escaping her then
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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#3
Her maw was upturned into a smile as Faye pawed her muzzle. It didn't stop the new mother from her cleaning, but when her daughter yelled, she did retreat enough to make sure she was alright. Aviana hadn't really allowed Faye out of the den, but she was three weeks old now. Whether Faye tried to escape or not was a whole nother issue.

But, she knew Faye would be better off knowing the world and what was in it than being sheltered. So, gently, she nudged her daughter, trying to coax her into an upright position. if Faye wanted, Aviana would let her explore outside the den for a little while.
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her mother backed off then, finally, her ministrations withdrawing. she offered a content sigh, but almost at once was being gently ushered towards and out the den's exit. she went along with her mother's direction fairly dociley, but paused at once at the den's entrance to peer back balefully. 

suddenly unwilling to go much further, she collapsed upon the ground, not moving another inch as she lay there, splayed and ungainly.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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Her daughter's happiness was short-lived she could tell, and she couldn't help but chuckle. She thought most pups would be excited to get out and about, but Faye was obviously not like most pups. She plastered herself at the entrance of the den, and Aviana could tell it was a silent promise that she wasn't moving. 

She nosed her affectionately before stepping over her to go outside. Come on, Faye, she said gently as she turned towards her. I'll be out here with you, she promised, assuming Faye's reasoning for wanting to stay in the den was that she was scared. She lowered her body to the ground, getting down to her daughter's level. She was a few feet away, and looked on to see if she would come out.
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her mother coaxed and prodded, yet the girl remained unmoving, squinting out at the outside. it was novel, and pretty, but what use was novelty when the den was just fine? it was warm, and safe, and the outside was a giant, blinking question mark. she gathered all the air she could into her lungs, releasing it all in a huff as her gaze pleaded with her mother to come back.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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#7
Faye seemed adamant about staying in the den, but Aviana wasn't about to give up just yet. She heard the huff, and her heart went out to her daughter. But, she could not stay in the den forever, as she would surely outgrow it. 

Aviana laid down on her side and stretched her front legs out towards Faye, trying to make it seem like she wasn't that far away. She was just right here, right in front of her. She need only take a few steps, and they would touch. Aviana's eyes were soft and relaxed, hoping she could somehow send her safe vibes to Faye. C'mon baby, she said softly.
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after a period of time when she did little more than stare balefully at her mother, she heaved a sigh as if life had sudden unloaded a great burden on her before rising and toddle one step, two, abruptly falling onto her rear and looking expectantly to Aviana, as if to ask, "enough?". she punctuated her pleading gaze with a short whine, having had quite enough of the outside.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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Aviana laid in place, unmoving until, finally, Faye gave in just a little bit. Her tail started to thump the ground in happiness as her daughter took a couple steps forward. It wasn't much, but it was something. Wanting to reward her, Aviana rose and closed the distance between them. 

She snaked her tongue out in an attempt to run it up Faye's neck and side of her head. She tried not to push it, not wanting to crowd her daughter. But, it was very hard for the single mother not to do to her only daughter. She sat back on her haunches as she looked down at Faye. Wanna hang out right here? she asked. She fully expected Faye to say no, and turn and go back into the den. And she would be okay with that. But, she dearly hoped she wouldn't.
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her mother approached and she relaxed a moment, but when she paused in her step and made no move back to the den, Faye babbled a sad little gurgle. she understood that they would not be going back just yet, and she was fine with that - yet the innate stubbornness in her had girl square her shoulders and offer one last huff, lest her mother believe for a single moment she was happy about these developments.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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Aviana could see the stubbornness roll off of Faye. The mother didn't think for one moment that her daughter was perfectly happy to remain outside the den, but Aviana was not ready to give up yet. She bent her head in an effort to nose her daughter's cheek gently before her eyes started to search for something entertaining. 

A large beetle entered the scene then, and Aviana went into play mode. She bowed down in a play stance, and growled playfully while her tail wagged in excitement. She pounced at the beetle, but didn't really try to get it. She was trying to show Faye how much fun it could be out here instead of being stuck in the den. Her eyes darted toward her to see if it was working.
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despite her stubbornness, the beetle had her gaze drift upward from where she'd been staring at the ground. she remained where she was, but tracked the beetle as her mother pounced and made a general fuss of the inky creature. despite herself, her worm of a tail began to twitch; stubbornness was (at the moment) boring and consuming. and so she darted forward, jaw opened wide as she sought to grab the thing in her jaws.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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Aviana watched from the corner of her eye as Faye's gaze tracked the beetle. She was learning her daughter's character quickly, and could already tell that forcing the girl to do anything would be impossible. But, she was glad that she could still show her something, and have her follow of her own accord. 

She grinned when her daughter pounced toward the bug, staying on the sidelines of the action, as she wanted Faye to experience the fun. Aviana remained on her belly, her tail wagging as she watched her daughter try to hunt the bug.
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she chased the bug a moment, two, until her tiny jaws clamped around the thing and she gave it an instinctual shake, oversized ears flopping comically. when this had been completed, she trotted back to her mother confidently until realizing just how far she was from the den. she froze at once, grip on the beetle clamping down a little harder and killing it then, gaze wide and fixed on Aviana's.
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Ooc — Mary Ellen
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Aviana looked on with excitement as her daughter got into playing with the bug. She thought Faye had reached a turning point, and maybe wouldn't be so determined to stay within the safe walls of the den. Her tail wagged behind her as her daughter turned to come towards her.

But, the excitement was short lived. Faye stopped short, and her jaw clenched on the bug. Aviana's breath froze as she realized Faye was just now understanding how far she was from the den. The mother took a steadying breath as she scrambled for what to do. It's alright, she said softly, standing to close the distance between herself and Faye. You're doing great! she said enthusiastically, attempting to nose her daughter's shoulder softly. It was a gesture of comfort that she dearly hoped would put her daughter at ease.
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