Odette sat just outside the mouth of the den, her stomach seeming to eat itself with hunger, with an occasional rumble as if to express itself in its own attempt at a hungry growl. A low whine escaped her throat and the pup shifted uncomfortably. Why was food so hard to come by now? Or at least that was how it seemed to Odie. She had been recieving less food lately. What had been the complication? Was it that the land looked different now? Stripped bare? Is that what caused the problem? Odette didn't know.
She soon intriguded herself with a stone, trying to make the best out of her hungry situation. Odette batted it around for a while, but soon just found herself sitting and staring gloomily at the rock. What had gone so wrong? She most desperatly wanted to know, she just didn't have a big enough vocabulary to ask.
Since the swarm of bugs, and loss of prey, Steady had been doing his best to juggle his time between patrolling, searching for food, and spending time with the pups. His body had started to show the affects of not eating as much as he should, and his eyes were a bit droopy these days from not sleeping as much. The loss of Fitz and other members was hitting Steady hard since he wasn't able to delegate many duties onto the lower ranking wolves. What hit him the hardest was that Mara Susi had gone missing once again, without so much as a word to him. He just didn't understand it. He had stuck his neck out for her, promised Zaria that her reasons for leaving were sound and that she wanted to be back home. She had barely made it into her two-week probation period. If he ever seen her again, his hurt would turn to anger. Steady usually described himself as a forgiving wolf, but he knew Mara Susi was not stupid. She understood the consequences of leaving the same way twice. Zaria would not allow her back into the pack, and Steady would have his leader's back this time.
He sighed as he made his way back to the pup's den, his stomach empty, and he had no offerings to give the pups on this visit. He had searched and searched, but hadn't found anything to bring them back. Odette was playing with a rock outside of the den when he approached, slowing his stride as he hoped not to scare her. He lowered his head to her in an attempt to nudge her in greeting before he lowered his body to the ground, quickly scanning the area to see if the other pups were out an about. It didn't look like it.
For a while Odette sat pretty still, batting the rock and feeling pretty lonely. Her siblings were probably sleeping right now, as she saw no sight of them, or maybe they were up to something else. Odette didn't check, but she was sure her siblings were fine anyways... maybe as hungry as she was, but Odie was sure that they were fine otherwise, besides the hunger.
As the black furred wolf that she had seen a few times earlier and had won her trust the last time they had met suddenly came into her line of view. Odette's tail gave a tiny wag, hope shinning in her heart and eyes that hopefully he had brought her some food... the black furred wolf hadn't. Instead all he did was give her a nudge in a gretting-like matter and then lowered himself to the ground. Odie was disapointed that their was no food, but knew that through her limited vocabulary that this was a tough time for everybody, not just her. So she laid down next to her Uncle. "Hi." She squeaked.
Steady couldn't hold back a smile when Odette wagged her tail at his presence. He was glad to see the pups accepted him. He seen her expression change, however, and knew she was most likely expecting him to bring something. Steady did what he could in feeding the next generation, but he had failed in finding any food this morning. He didn't even have anything to regurgitate for her.
Hello, Odette, he said softly. He stretched his nose out towards her rock, sniffing it. Interesting rock you got there, he said, interested in what she thought about it. The minds of the pups awed him. They seemed to think in such a different way than the adults, and it often lifted his own mind to be around them. He had such heavy thoughts lately, but the pups were always able to bring him back down to earth.
Odette did her best to understand what the black furred wolf - more like Father figure - said. Picking up most of it. Her tail gave a little wag, happy that someone was paying attention to her and speaking to her. It was a pretty sturdy rock, in fact the rock really fascinated Odie. Where had it come from? What made it? Was it edable if she tried to eat it? She just gave a tiny nod of her head though to signal that she agreed.
"Mmhm." She murmured back to him. Agreeing to her the male's remarks on the rock. Suddenly that question from earlier slipped into Odette's head and now that she could speak - although it was limited language - she could ask him. For a few heartbeats she stayed silent, a little nervous to ask. "Whaaa er ou ta me?" She asked, wanting to finally clarify once and for all, what this wolf was to her. Uncle, father, cousin, older sibling, etc.
His ears perked just in time to hear her little murmur of response, and he couldn't help but grin. She was quite adorable, and tugged on his heartstrings with her cuteness. Steady always knew he wanted to be a father, and stepping up to help take care of Fitz and Zaria's pups only solidified that decision.
His grin faltered when she asked a question. It took him a moment to decipher it, and he couldn't say he was rather surprised by it. However, what did concern him was the potential for follow-up questions. I'm your Uncle Steady, he said softly. He highly hoped she might be more interested in him, than asking questions about where her father might be. He knew those questions would come sooner or later, but he'd like the latter.
Uncle Steady... What in the world did Uncle mean? Sure she understood that Steady was probably this guy's name, but Uncle? Uncle? Was he her Father maybe? Is that what Uncle meant? She scrunched up her face, in deep thought, trying to think up a good way to ask her question. Finally something came to mind, after a few more seconds of silence.
"Whaaa da Oooncle mean?" Odette paused for a moment, before continuing. "Er ou wid Mama?" That was the closest thing that she could think of to a Father. In truth she didn't really even remember her Father. She just remembered a white wolf smil at her Mother and then leave... Odie hadn't seen him since and even though she had no idea where the memory had come, she wanted that white wolf in it.
The young wolf pup scrunched her face, making Steady feel as if she didn't understand what he said. He waited patiently, though, knowing another question was soon to come. She asked what that meant, immediately followed by another question asking if he was with Zaria.
He shook his head. No, I'm not with your Momma, he confirmed. I'm your Daddy's brother. He hoped that cleared her confusion somewhat, but he wasn't sure whether or not she knew who her father was. Fitz had died when the pups were very young, and Steady didn't know whether they remembered him at all or not.
Adeline was a quiet observer in the background. She listened only to the discussion that went on, a bit too hungry to want to dominate the world this day. Ah, but then an idea came to her! Adeline herself, young as she was, did not understand that food was hard for everyone to come by. She was young, innocent, and did not know what 'famine' meant, exactly, though she had heard it now and then in passing. Things did not yet completely click.
So she rose to all fours and moved toward her uncle, seeking to poke her muzzle into the side of his mouth. It was a 'button' she knew all adults had that would cause them to give her food, if there was any for them to give.
Odette was silent for a moment, taking in what Uncle Steady said. Still she was very confused. What was a Daddy? Where was her Daddy? Odie knew what Brother meant though, do to having two of her own. But Daddy? What was that? Her thoughts broke up for a few moments, as her sister Adeline made her way into the seen, pressing against Uncle Steady's button. She watched, slightly amused at her older sisters attempt, before asking another couple questions for Steady to answer.
"Whaaa a Daaaddeh? Werre maaa Daadeh?" She asked in slow, slurred speach. Then she gazed up at her Uncle with hopeful eyes, hoping that he would tell her where her Daddy was. "Caun ou get maaa Dadeh?" Her tail gave a little wag. Odette hoped that she could meet this Daddy, whatever he was.
Adeline had been quiet, seemingly fine with staying in the background while he and Odette talked. Soon enough, however, she came over and nudge her muzzle into the side of his mouth. He frowned, knowing his stomach was empty and he couldn't give her what she wanted. I'm sorry, Adeline. I'm empty, he confessed softly. It had been a couple days since his last meal, and that had been a tiny snack at that. It was well digested and moved on by now.
His attention turned back to Odette when she asked what was a Daddy, where was hers, and if he could go get him. Steady sighed, lowering his head down to his curious niece. Your Daddy is... was with your Mommy, he began. He's... Steady took a deep breath, trying to decide the best way to explain why he couldn't go get Fitz. Fitz isn't here, so I can't get him, but... He watches over you. He's always with you, you just can't see him, he said, hoping she would understand, but knowing there was a good possibility her little mind wouldn't quite comprehend what he was saying. She didn't know what death was, and Steady didn't want to make her feel a loss. He'd rather let her know that, while Fitz wasn't here physically, he was here in spirit.
Adeline frowned as nothing emerged from his mouth, and let out a disappointed whine. She looked to Odette who asked questions, and then to her uncle who answered them. Even with his explanation, Adeline did not fully understand. The man described something that could not be seen with the eye, a man who had died. Right now, it wasn't something she could grasp. 'Dad' was just another word for her vocabulary, but with nothing to direct it toward, it's meaning was reduced. She perked as he spoke of mom, then deflated as he spoke of this invisible 'daddy' again.
She glanced to Odette, keeping her head high. What did her little sister think of this all?
Odette found herself thoroughly confused and scared of this thing called Daddy. Could he attack her or eat her without her being able to stop it? Could he haunt her? It all sounded so frightening. What if he was stalking her right now! Odette cast a nervous glance around her surroundings, but only saw the den, where her Brothers probably were, Adeline and Uncle Steady. Odie still didn't like the thought of the invisable Daddy, so she decided to place more questions on poor Steady.
"Soo maa Dadeh cood eat mee on I would nevah see it cooming?" Odette fretted thorough her currently limited knowledge. "Dadehs soond scarey." Odie observed from what Uncle Steady had given her, flashing him a worried face. "I'm scared Ooncle Steady." Odette whinned, tucking her tail behind her and sinking to the ground, looking rather subbmissive.
Odette did not take the information the way that he thought she would. In fact, it apparently scared the bejesus out of her. Steady frowned, extending his neck towards her in an effort to provide some comfort. No, no, no, he said softly. Your Daddy would never hurt you, or your siblings. He's there more for comfort. He's good to have around, he said, hoping that knowledge would help her.
He glanced to Adeline, wondering how she felt about all this. Initially, her reaction seemed to be neutral, but that was before her sister spoke of her own fears. Steady clearly could not judge how these little wolves would think, and would learn quickly not to assume they would think one thing over the other.
Since Adeline has gone inactive, I'm going to skip her.
Odette was relieved to hear that her Daddy would never hurt her and that he was good to have around. Still a question lingered on her mind. Why was her Daddy not here with them. Had something gone wrong? Had she done something wrong to scare him away? Odette frowned at the thought and gave a little whimper. "Whaaaaaa caaaauuuun I saaaaaaa maaaaaa Daaaaaaaddeh?" Odette asked her Uncle Steady in careful said, stretched out words.
Then Odie just looked up at her Uncle Steady with her sweet puppy blue eyes, waiting for him to answer her. She was very interested about this Daddy and found herself curious about what role he played in her life if she could not see him.
She asked why she couldn't see Fitz, and Steady thought for a moment. Death was hard to explain to a child, without having them totally lose their innocence. He isn't something you can see anymore, he said softly. He used to be, just like you and me. But, his body gave out one day. So, now the body is buried, but his feeling lives on. Sometimes, it seems as though he's standing right next to me. At least, sometimes Steady thought he did. Maybe it was wishful thinking, maybe it was something Steady's mind forced him to feel to help the pain he felt at his brother's passing. Who knew?
He sighed, hoping he was making some kind of sense to her. Then, an idea came to mind. You know what wind feels like? That movement you feel in the air, that ruffles your fur, but you can't actually see it? Feeling him is almost like that, but less obvious. He watched her, wondering if that made sense.
Whatever happened to her Daddy sounded very scary. She felt very bad for him. Would this happen to her one day to? One day she would be find and then the next she would collaspe, be burried and become invisible... wait. Was her Father burried alive? Odette yelped at the thought. Her eyes widening with terror. How could someone do such a thing to her Father?
"W-wah ha bawweed a-a-a-ahwive!?" Odie whimpered in shock, starting to tremble. Would she have to burry someone alive one day, just because their body gave out and collasped? What if she was sleeping and someone thought her body had given out and burried her? Odette was totally taking all of this the wrong way.
He shook his head side to side at her question. No, he was... dead when we buried him, he assured her, hoping "dead" wasn't to harsh of a word to use with her. But, it was accurate. No need to buried someone if they'e still alive, he added, hoping she knew they wouldn't do something like that.
Although he wanted to answer all of her questions, Steady was getting tired. He looked down at her, a soft smile on his maw. I know you might have more questions, but do you mind if we pause it here? Uncle Steady needs some rest, he confessed to her.
Odette was relieved to hear that her Father was dead before they burried him. It wasn't that she was relieved he was dead, it was just that she was relieved that her Father had not been burried alive. She did not wish that upon anyone, nor would she ever.
The fluffy little pup was about to ask her Uncle Steady more questions about her Father, but when her Uncle said that he needed some rest and wanted to pause here, Odette stayed quiet. If Uncle Steady needed some rest, then he could get his rest. "Ohay. I tawwerd too." Odie confused and it was the truth, it was getting rather late anyways.
Fade with yours?
She confessed that she was tired, too. If you like, you can sleep out here with me, or you can go back into the den with the others, he offered to her. He was going to stay, either way. He lowered himself down to the ground on his belly, waiting to see which she would choose. Once she had, he would close his eyes and try to snooze a bit.
Thank you for the thread! :)
In the end Odie decided to fall asleep next to her Uncle Steady. It was a special night and she would not do this very ofter if ever again anyways so this was a treat. A special girl and her special Uncle.
"I tay wit woo Ooncle Steedy." Odette whispered to her Uncle.
That night as Odette fell asleep it was very peaceful and Odie found herself truelly happy.