Stone Circle Highland cows

Nunataq is located on the inland border between BCV and Easthollow.

While the sun was still up, the weather was still warm, but once it hid itself behind clouds and horizon, Nunataq found it too cold to sleep outside as she had been used to. Now it was more enjoyable to cuddle up, preferably in the middle of the puppy heap, and spend the hours of darkness together with the rest of her family.

To her this meant a little (even though practical) step back from her independence, therefore to compensate it, she would be the first to rise and wander off from rendevouz's site and off to the brink of her home. After getting the first taste of the world beyond Bearclaw valley, she was thirsty more.

And today - inclined to find out more about the neighbours they had visited a while ago, she was found on the borders, where the two packlands met. There was wealth of smells left by different people - some she recognized, some were entirely new. And, whoever would find her there, would find the brown cub examining each and every mark with keen interest and utmost focus.

AW for an Adult to follow Arlette!!! :D @Nunataq I'm assuming they met as Val would have called her pups to the border to play with Xan's pups. Let me know if this is not okay! <3

Arlette wasn't often without the supervision of an adult. Most of the pack members at Easthollow were helping out with raising them. Arlette didn't see it as them raising her, there was mostly playing involved and super cool stories. She thought it was normal that there were adults around her most of the time. So as she moved away further from the rendezvous site it felt extra special to be all by herself, at least, she thought so. 

Her nose was focussed on a strong trail. She thought it was her brother Ezra. She wanted to follow it because perhaps her brother wanted to play! She loved to play. Arlette strumbled upon more scents. Especially around a stone. She could smell her mother, Ezra, Greyback, Steph, and Kegana to name a few. Her white tail wiggled. She hadn't realized she had stumbled upon the border of Easthollow. The girl jumped on the stone to have a vantage point. 

Her red eyes scanned as far as she could see. Were these also Easthollow lands? It must be! There were lots of scents around here, so why wouldn't it? The girl beamed. So much to explore! The pale girl's gaze fixated on a brown shape further ahead. Did she know this shape? It looked familiar! She jumped off the rock and then rushed to the other. Eager to find a play buddy. She rushed to the tall grass. Another pup! Though the other was a bit bigger than her, it was something Arlette was used to as everyone was bigger than her. She had seen this wolf before! She let out a happy woof in greeting, tail wagging enthusiastically.

cameo

Arlette stood out like a sore thumb, something Ezra was particularly grateful for since his pale sister seemed the most adventurous of his younger siblings. It wasn't difficult to spot her and when he caught her heading out towards the borders, well, it was only natural for him to follow.

He kept his distance, allowing plenty of room for her to wander while still keeping a close eye on her movements. Should she have strayed too far he would have redirected her back home but, luckily for him, she stopped soon after meeting up with one of the neighboring pups. He stood a decent distance away, close enough that the pair could see him but far enough that they could have room to do whatever kids these days did without him breathing down their necks. Should they need him he was there and should they not, well he'd still be there.

While Nunataq did not suffer from shyness, when it came to meeting wolves that did not belong to her immediate family circle, the first moments tended to be a little awkward. Because the rules were not always clear. Back at home she could rely on Indra or Laurel to direct her, when it was necessary (both when she did or did not ask for it), but here - outside - it was different. And at times the girl found herself a little lost.

Therefore no wonder that she took a step or two back, when a white puppy she had met during the last playdate between the two packs, was running towards her at full speed. There was size, as well as age difference, and Nuna had just enough time to go through all of the attitudes and demeanors she should wear. In the end she was left with two - act like being a very important person or be a kid and play. And, since there was no time left to put up one of them properly, she met Arlette half-way with a wagging tail, furrowed brow and a growl in response to the bark.

Arlette dug her paws into the soil to make an emergency stop as to not crash into the other. She was clueless about the fact that her big brother was watching over her. She was so absorbed in wanting to play with this other pup. She was younger than the other so for Arlette, most of her day consisted of waiting to play and getting to know more about her surrounding world. 

Her tail wagged and playfully trying to jump the other. When she did jump forward with the intention of jumping on the other a playful growl sounded. The girl was beaming with excitement to have found a new playing buddy. She didn't think too much about etiquettes yet, she was told about them but not far enough to implement them. "Waawwrrrr," she playfully sounded while attacking, which was super easy to deflect for an older wolf. 

Nuna's growl was either too late or simply fell on deaf ears, because the white puppy crashed into her and sent her flying to the ground. Had it not been for two paws to counter-balance the impact and the experience of falling in so many ways and under so many different circumstances, the Bearclaw valley pup would have fallen.

Now, however, while still sitting and being in a bit of a disadvantage compared to Arlette, Nuna responded playfully with parted jaws and attempt to grab, whichever part of the face, neck or limbs would be within the "grabbing" distance.

Despite the other's lack of manners, she liked the straight-forward approach. This meant that you did not have to beat around the bush and could act the same.

Arlette was always eager to play and often in her enthusiasm she didn't realize that others might not want to play. She instantly toppled over after crashing into the bigger female. That wasn't stopping her. As she was crouched down by Nuna's feet, perhaps the most dangerous position with the top of her neck exposed, she tried to playfully nip the other at her legs. However, as soon as she felt jaws grab her by her neck she went limp as an automatic response. It wasn't so often anymore her mother tried to grab her by her scruff but the response was still there. At least with her. She also wanted to roll right over onto her back. The girl was quick to do that, especially with bigger wolves. So as soon as the other would let go that was probably going to be her first response. As soon as everything was okay she would most likely go back to play with her again. 

Neck it was and Nunataq kept a steady hold on the loose fur, enjoying the fact that she had been able to take the upper hand with so much ease. On the other hand, her playmate's lack of protest against this was a little confusing, because this was not, what usually happened, when she handled her siblings this way. Even Merrick knew, how to fight back with all the puppyish vigour.

Therefore - to remind that this was still a game and that some sort of action was expected from her, Nuna tugged gently and growled playfully. Then she let go - to give the weaker party time to get on her feet. With this done (hopefully), she drummed her forepaws against the ground, let out a loud bark and dashed a little distance away, inviting the other puppy for a different kind of game, called "Catch me, if you can!"

Arlette flattened her ears when the other growled. She and her siblings often played fight but not so serious, luckily she was soon let go and everything was forgotten. She had not a lot of experience with fighting she liked to play tag more. And this was exactly what the other seemed to be planning. Arlette yipped excitedly and then instantly pushed herself forward. She chased after the other with happy yips and barks. "Cach uuuu," she beamed as she ran after the other. 

The girl was eager to get the other but her shorter legs gave her more bounce rather than forward momentum. Arlette didn't mind it though, she was having fun either way. She would try her best to catch the other, and if she managed to do so, she would try and run away even harder. As hardest as she could!! 

Nunataq was faster because she had been given almost a two month long head-start. As the pups would grow their difference in shape and size and skills would lessen, but now it was to the older girl's advantage. She let the other tag along, purposefully slowing her step at times to let the other close the distance, only to change the direction in the last moment and speed away quickly. She let this game of slows and fasts go on for a while, until she grew tired of being the chased party and stopped in her tracks, turned to face the other and advanced towards her. Now it was Arlette's turn to run, if she wished so.

The girl eagerly chased the older one. She was not as quick but it didn't seem that way as the other female would slow down so she could catch up. Arlette's red eyes were eagerly focused on the other. Though the female was getting tired as well. She really tried to catch up with the other. When she stopped Arlette had decided that the game wasn't so fun anymore. She panted hard and instantly made a break when she saw the other turn and run towards her. The young child went to lie down, clearly too tired to be chased herself. She yawned, kind of wanted to nap right here. If so, her brother @Ezra could always come to fetch her and bring her home. 

Not sure if you want to wrap it up here! I feel like even Arlette's energy should end somewhere haha

Oh, come on... Nunataq's facial expression was very easy to read, when it expressed open disappointment. She slowed down and approached her playmate with a bouncy step, indicating that there was still plenty of energy left and she was still very willing to continue to play. The puppies she were growing up with weren't that easy to tire. Even Merrick, who was the youngest of them all, was a little devil inside the skin of a lovely-looking puppy.

Nuna attempted to prod Arlette and dance few steps away, getting in a play bow and asking the girl to get to her feet and not be a boring weakling. Not that she could say any of this out loud.

You can fade out in your next post and we can arrange another meeting between the two, maybe?

Arlette realized the other wanted to play but she was too tired. Then again, she was far younger than the other. The pale girl looked apologetically to the other. "Home. Bye," she spoke and then yawned. She wanted to sleep right here but she knew out in the open wasn't always a good place to sleep, as her momma told her. Luckily her brother @Ezra seemed to be there as well. She let him pick her up and bring her back home. As she was carried she already dozed off. 

- end - 

Yes! I'd Love that!