hope you don't mind the tag! all welcome but I'd love for the kids to meet :)
His mother had brought with her a new child, one found near the borders, and informed them that his name was
@Granite. Baldr's tail waved, though he was lightly apprehensive about the newcomer, given the fact that he looked to be a older even if only by a month. Like Baldr, Granite showed promise in his build- thick bones, big feet, a square jaw, and while he had a hungry look to his frame, there was a breadth to his chest that would likely fill out once he had the chance to eat regular meals.
The Cairn twin had never met another boy aside from his brother, but was eager to get to know him. He stepped closer, nose twitching, hoping he would accept the invitation to exchange scents.
The newcomer too had not escaped the notice of the Cairn daughter. Letting Baldr take the lead, she pressed her pelt to his momentarily in a comforting gesture before pulling away to inspect the new arrival. Unlike her brother, Leifa could barely contain her excitement!
"Haiiii!!!" she greeted jovially, less subtlety to her as she nosed his cheek in greeting. From this angle she could see just how skinny he appeared. Where was his ma? His da? Where had he come from? What had he seen? Questions she was bursting to ask the boy - but that could wait until he had settled in, she supposed.
When Granite was found by the native cub, he froze. The fuzzy hackles along his back were styled into a mohawk as his posture became rigid. His tail was stiff, but sickle-shaped and low.
A flash of a pink tongue whetted his nose. Uncertain. Careful. Feral.
He didn’t really want to meet or be inspected, especially by another child. Maybe this one was a bully like Badger? And so when Baldr telegraphed that he wanted to share scents Granite mumbled a little grrrrr. Stay back. Give me space.
But then, a girl cast her overzealous energy into the mix. Her activated vibe threatened the newcomer and Granite’s eyes rolled, revealing their fearful sclera. Suddenly, his lips curled into a snarl and he feigned an attack. A quick shuffle forward and back, snapping at the air near them.
The growls he and his siblings used in play were much different from the one he received from the boy, and Baldr immediately softened, tail and head lowering to show he meant no threat. The wild look in the boy’s eyes was a bit disconcerting; why was it that he was so scared?
He looked more hesitant and defensive still when Leifa greeted him. Baldr’s head tilted to the side, incapable of understanding why the tension was so high.
He slid his shoulder against the ground, and then flipped over onto his side with his forelimbs stretched toward the newcomer. Maybe if he was more flat, he’d seem a bit less intimidating? His tail thumped, welcoming the boy to even pounce him while he was down if he wanted to!
The newcomer's stiffness went virtually unnoticed by the Cairn girl, that was until his teeth snapped the air a whisker away from her face. As if she had been slapped, Leifa recoiled and stood frozen for a heartbeat, wondering what on earth she had done to upset him. A crestfallen expression befell her face, ears drooping and lip quivering, finding it incredibly difficult to wrap her little brain around why.
Confused and hurt more than anything, Leifa slunk behind Baldr and pressed her belly to the ground. Perhaps if she copied her brother, the grey boy would like her more? She nosed an outstretched paw, watching and waiting tensely to see if he would lunge again.
why don't we continue this for a bit, even if Granite is on NPC?
The boy didn't seem to come around. In hearing the snap, their mother came forward to guide the dour, standoffish kid away, pausing for a moment to reassure each of her own children with a lick to the top of their heads before taking Granite to find a snack somewhere, in hopes it might make him a bit less grumpy.
He looked to Leifa at his side, and rolled over so he could lay on his back, and reach up to touch her chin with one of his pawpads. He panted softly, and smiled, reaching up lightly as if to raise her chin and cheer her up. Granite might be a bit cold, but they still had each other.
Thanks for continuing Jess! Last from me :)
Granite expected them to continue pressing into his space, like his older brother Badger. However, the other kids showed immediate signs of appeasing submission when faced with the newcomer’s spicey display. They backed off, laid flat, and gave the boy the space he desired.
He licked his lips, whale-eyeing them warily. A small part of his ego was boosted. He did have the power to command others into obedience.
However, he didn’t warm up to the pair. It would take more than just one encounter to form any kind of bond. As if sensing the tension, Solveig appeared. At the promise of food, his focus on the other children became redirected and he followed his new leader to find a snack.