Redhawk Caldera snailworthy

rain! more rain, breaking into bright sunshine.
chickadee had considered that it was time for their family to find a place outside the blackthorn den, but she loved the closeness of having maia and eljay right there.
she led her pups out into the petrichor, laughing as they immediately made a beeline for the nearest puddle and its resplendent mud.

Amalia heard laughter and mud splashing and raced towards it. What was more fun than rainy puddles on a hot day? Nothing if you ask her.

ALthough she did slow and then stop before she made it to the puppies and their mother. She didn't wish to cause any upset. Chickadee didn't know her that well. Really did anyone? Even Killdeer had left for a good reason, but he was gone too.

She chuffed gently and watched the babies with delight, but stood firm in her patience.

"hi, amalia!" chickadee chirped, dodging as a clump of mud sailed right past her shoulder. "we're playing," she chuckled by way of explanation. "do you want to join us?"
they'd be stained and mucky by the end of it, but it promised to be good fun anyway.

Cameo unless directly addressed, so please skip me

Eljay enjoyed having Chickadee and his grandchildren so close. He savoured every day, seeing them grow into themselves and seeing them develop. Today it was with a soft smile on his face that he watched mother and children laugh and dance in the muddy puddles. He felt the urge to join in, but reminded himself that his body was not what it used to be; he was beyond splashing around in puddles, now, not because he did not enjoy it any longer, but because his body was too slow and stiff. Amalia approached, and Eljay rested his head on his front legs with a content sigh, feeling safe and happy, and enjoying the unbridled joy on the faces of his family.

Hello! she called back delight on her features. Body halfway bent in half with the strength of her tail wag. She couldn't wait to join in. And when she was offering and invited.

She leapt forward with a gentle Ah!

Paws pressing into the cool mud, and she quickly dodged her own mud bullets to send small waves of mud at little paws, and dabbing some across the shoulder of Chickadee if she didn't leap from her way.

Giving a small nod to the patriarch of the pack.

truth be told, chickadee tried not to focus on the stiffness in her dad's joints, how slowly he moved now, how — it wasn't that chickadee could be ignorant to the passage of time, just that living in each day was her way of dealing with the inevitable.
tail swinging as amalia joined them, she laughed aloud as the other woman's first shot caught her shoulder.
daubing her own pawful right back at amalia, chickadee deliberately sprinkled some near her dad as well, including him in the mess even if he couldn't join them right now.

Eljay smiled softly as he watched the pair of them play, delighted to see it even if he could not take part. He would do such things if it was just him and the pups, but he needed to spare his strengths for those moments; and right now, there were plenty of other adults who could join in the fun and give the good example of how to play. They were becoming quite muddy already now, and Eljay was glad to see Amalia join; she truly embodied the spirit of Brecheliant too, despite being one of its fewer members that was not of their blood. He appreciated her presence here a lot, and found himself hoping idly if he showed or shared that enough.

Chickadee sprayed some mud towards him, and Eljay let out a playful woof in her direction. He wasn't near enough to react proper, but was glad to feel included nonetheless.

a soft woof of delight as mud was peppered along her side. She chased around the children and Chickadee. Including Eljay as well.. Though she was gentlier with the older male than she was with others. Only because she knew him to be the king of Maia's heart and she dare not cause him or her distress.

A smile and finally she flopped down in the mud with a howl of delight and lay panting calmly. They could go to the water here eventually for now. The mud was fun and delightfully cool.

eventually the three of them were worn out by the pups' near-endless amount of energy. as the nestlings continued to assail each other with thrown hunks of dirt and missiles of mud, chickadee retreated to lie down near amalia and eljay.
"they're going to track it all inside the den if i don't get them to the lake after this!" she commented to one in particular, amused at the antics of the spry little birds.