As the shadows fell across the ground, a black wraith stood from the corner of the den. Lifting her nose to the sky she followed the smell of Jasmine. It was far too nice to sleep tonight, and she wanted to explore. Green eyes took in the shadows that danced and dove across the ground and in the trees. She made her way to the meadow, her large obsidian body blending in almost perfectly with the shadows.
Ears perked forward as she made her way towards the scent of flowers. Maybe she would just roll in them, or lay there. As her large black paws whispered across the ground, she heard her father's voice, urging her on and it was with a smile that she moved a little faster. Better hurry little tree, dem flowers don’t last forever chile.
Blue added some zest to her step as she tried to hurry,all to soon the flowers would close completely for the night. Quick as possible, her lithe figure and sure step took her to her destination. She lay down with a soft sigh and closing her eyes she enjoyed the smell of the evening jasmine.
It wasn't necessary to believe in faraway wonders because close by the world could be amazing. Hidden within eyesight was a beautiful patch of flowers that the juvenile yearling had discovered by moving off his island just to find out what was out there.
An entire world was out there, ready for the taking; but before the soothing evening would fall across the lands, Mees was satisfied with a field of blossoming flowers. One of the reasons to adore the summer. However, what the leisure wolf did not realize was that these flowers would close when night would fall, leaving behind an oasis of relaxation as their colours would fade away, hidden within.
The yearling was too captivated by the moment to notice the presence of another wolf until it was almost too late. Blissfully unaware of who she was the Xi of the Isle said nothing, instead he rolled onto his back close by her and closed his eyes, also enjoying the evening right next to a stranger.
Osprey was nearly three months old now and, presently, she teetered on the cusp of a rapid growth spurt. For now, she still wore her puppy fat and over-sized paws but it was only a matter of weeks before she grew into her figure. A month from now, she would hardly be distinguishable from yearlings and smaller adults. Of course, she knew nothing about any of this, though her physique was already showing a suggestion of what was to come in her tapering muzzle and long, slender legs.
These carried her over the plateau at a swift trot. Junior ignored the oncoming dark, as the difference between day and night didn't seem all that important. She could still explore, hunt and patrol at night. Tonight in particular, she proved she could also track effectively despite the waning light. Using her nose and ears, she followed the scent of the pack's Alpha female, tracing it all the way to the plateau's edge and into the neutral territory just beyond it.
She found not only Aunt Willow but a stranger too. Boldly, she approached them. She didn't fear rebuke, as she was certain she was old enough now to explore on her own, even alone and after dark (her parents would perhaps disagree). "Aunt Willow!" young Osprey exclaimed loudly. "What'rrre you doin'?" she queried, her enunciation a bit strange as she'd only just started being able to wrap her tongue around the letter R. It made her feel even more like a big girl.
Blue had been to intent upon getting to the flowers, to realize that there was another wolf there. A younger male, she noticed him the second time she opened her eyes though, but before she could say a word a small voice reached her ears, Junior had tracked her successfully. It made her smile to herself gently.
Blue Willow believed in little miracles, and things such as the flowers opening to the sun, and closing to the moonlight were one of those miracles. So were steady friendships and family. She loved her little family, here at the Plateau.
She turned first to the yearling that lay with his eyes closed, in ecstasy, blissfully unaware of the world around him, at the moment. Thank god for little things, was all she thought. She spoke quietly I am sorry I was too excited and didn’t see you laying there. Then she turned green eyed gaze towards the small child-like voice. Hello Junior, I am enjoying the Jasmines, come look they close their faces at night, just like you and I close our eyes.
His evening had been quiet and relaxed if it weren't for Osprey Jr. to show up. It wasn't the fault of the adventurous youngster to creep up but in hindsight; it was the adoring idea of family. What a picture perfect. She had an aunt. Suddenly he felt a pang of jealousy gutter through the depths of his stomach, making him feel disgusted and guilty for being envious of two wolves he knew not. Suddenly he pulled himself to a seat and stared away, into the distance, wanting and needing to be distracted from the piss poor sight of a happy family. It was a painful reminder that he had nothing; no aunt, no family -- and worst of all -- no memories.
When Blue Willow was friendly but began to explain in a child-like voice was she was doing to Osprey, an almost invisible shiver ran down his spine. He was unfamiliar with this green monster since he had also been a wanderer and a loner. While she spoke he was still staring at the distant horizon, away from them both. It wasn't until the Alpha was done speaking that he realized what an apathic and odd creature he might look like. "Before making even an even bigger fool of myself.." Mees said while his orange eyes turned towards the two Blacktail Deer Plateau wolves. He then added; "Let me at least say hello." What an awkward situation. Thank you, green monster.
"Jazzzzzmins?" young Osprey repeated wonderingly. She had no idea her aunt was referring to flowers, their lovely scent even now filling her nose. "What's jasmines?"
Before the Healer could answer, Junior turned her attention upon the strange male wolf. "Hi!" the youngster chirped, taking a few steps toward him and gazing openly at his face. "You arrre puh-retty!" She wasn't one to subscribe to gender norms; only recently had Osprey Jr. acknowledged that she was, in fact, female. Who wanted dangly bits anyhow?
Like most of the wolves she knew, he wore a dark pelt. His eyes were a color she'd never before seen: an auriferous orange, like an open flame. Of course, Junior didn't realize that she herself possessed quite alluring eyes, as she had yet to see her own reflection.
Blue Willow turned her head to the youth that stood next to her gangly and male. She had not noticed his distress or his jealousy of little Junior and herself. She just hadn’t been paying attention, which was probably not polite, but junior being so young deserved most of her attention, especially given that she was out her on her own. Where is your buddy Junior? Your father said you are to have a buddy you know this? I will be your buddy tonight, but from now on make sure you have one with you. And Jasmine is this flower. She motioned towards the flower and a small chuckle worked its way out of her throat as she heard junior refer to the male as pretty.
Blue smiled at him, Well hello to you to, I am Blue Willow, and this lovely little girl is Osprey Junior. What brings you to the flatlands? Are you smelling the Jasmine too? Blue smiled again and then shifted and sat down again, keeping a watchful eye on Junior; she did not want her to wander even further than she already had.
Wait a second, are you hitting on me? Mees thought when Osprey Jr. called him pretty. In response, he replied; "Thank you." And there was something to say about her in return; not only was she adventurous enough to travel beyond the boundaries of her own pack, she was also straightforward, which he appreciated. Thus he complimented; "And I like your spunkyness." His leathery lips turned into a casual smile.
However, when Blue Willow spoke about buddies, rules and something along the lines of being responsible it made him cringe inwardly, even though she was doing the right thing. Then, it became even worse when she asked about whether or not he was here to smell the Jasmine. Inwardly, his cringe-face would turn into that of a sour lemon. Responsible-parent-talk and flower-talk. Suddenly he felt trapped, in fact, he even mused to himself; Great, if I get stuck here even longer I might even grow girly parts.
"My name is Mees." He said while his mind tried to find a valid excuse to get out of here. But the question about flowers distracted him. "No, I am not here to smell Jasmine. Or roses. Or dandelions. Or..." He didn't know what to say anymore..
Although Aunt Willow answered her question, it came with a huge helping of gentle scolding too. Osprey's ears flattened as the Alpha female reminded her of the rules. Feeling immediately sulky, the pup turned away from the adult, refusing to acknowledge the jasmines any longer.
Although Mees's introduction broke her out of her funk for a moment during which she looked up at him with bright, curious eyes, his mention of the word jasmine reminded her of Blue Willow's rebuke and she frowned and looked forcibly away from the two larger wolves again.
Impulsively, she decided to get up and stomp back home. She took a few steps, paused, then turned back and chirped, "Bye, Mees!" Her eyes flicked to her aunt, though the butthurt puppy said nothing to her. Instead, she slunk back up to the plateau proper to return to the rendezvous site, her leader's reprimand having worked perhaps more effectively than she'd even intended.
Blue Willow listened to Mee's and she chuckled. He was obviously uncomfortable, that was apparent. Then she blinked as Junior got immediately sulky, goodness the child was spoiled sometimes, and she felt terrible that the girl was upset. However, she had to follow the rules if she wanted the privilege of being out and about on her own. She had to have another of the pups with her, granted that wasn't much better if there was an adult wolf to hurt them or a cougar or something, but at least if there was a buddy they were not alone.
She sighed as the girl started to sullenly traipse back towards the rendezvous site. Her brow was furrowed, she wasn't about to apologize for just reminding her of the rules. Instead she turned towards Mees and nodded She certainly is spunky isn't she, and her very own wolf.
Stories about flowers and responsible parent talk was about as equivalent as a rebellious teenager being told how to change a diaper. At least, that is how it felt like it. "See ya'!" Mees said out loud casually as he bid her a farewell while her silhouette fading away against the horizon. Osprey Jr. obviously had no interest of being told what to do, and instead set her own plan into motion. A moment later he wondered if Blue Willow would trudge after the female and live up to her words of being a buddy.
"She's a daredevil and shows much promise. But don't tell her I said that to you." Mees said coyly before he too stood up and disappeared into the night. He had no interest to hold Blue Willow from her duties by common chit-chat. "Bye bye, Blue." But -- to say the least, this meeting had been interesting.
Blue shook her head at the two and then with a brief nod and a small Goodbye. She padded towards Junior her legs tearing up the ground as she trudged towards her. The princess had a jump on her and she needed to catch up to her.
Junior wait on me please. She chuffed softly as she followed her. Tonight was definitely an interesting night to say the least.
Before she got very far, Blue Willow's voice called out from behind her. Osprey Jr. frowned but initially refused to slow down or look backward. When she heard the Alpha female's footfalls catching up to her, she slowed down a little and waited for the Healer to fall into step behind her. The youngster did not stop moving forward, heading in the direction of the clearing.
She knew she was likely being rude by not stopping but Junior hardly thought her aunt would rebuke her for going home to bed. All the same, she kept her big, black ears swiveled partly backward in case the Healer had something to say to her.
Blue Willow caught up with the child and spoke quietly to her silence Junior I’m sorry, I just worry about you; if something happened to you I’d not know what to do. She wasn’t sure if the child understood her, but it was the truth, if something happened to the little stubborn princess she would just up and die a little inside. She loved her like family, she was her niece in her mind and that was all that mattered to her.
She fell silent and just followed behind the girl in the shadowy air. Her green eyes watching all that was around, looking for any danger on their way home.
The stubborn pup said nothing in reply, maintaining her stoic silence until they reached the edge of the rendezvous site. Osprey immediately made a beeline for the spot where she often slept right next to her dad, beneath the sycamore tree. Right before reaching it, she stopped and turned to face the Alpha female back at the clearing's fringe.
"It's okay, Aunt Willow. Kiss kiss!" she said, smacking her lips to blow a good night kiss to the Healer before trotting the rest of the way to her makeshift next, dropping to the ground and curling into a ball to go to sleep. Ah, the resilience of the young.
Blue watched the child with glittering eyes as she moved towards her favorite spot to sleep. She stood still until the girl was settled, not wanting to leave the girl, until she was certain she was completely safe.
Blue chuckled and spoke softly back Kiss kiss little Junior. Love you. And with that blue chuckling walked into the night towards her own den and sweet dreams.