Dragoncrest Cliffs We've got nothing but time.

@Stray

He didn't know what it was that woke him with a start, but it had roused him enough to want to investigate. Blinking around the cavern to comfort himself that his family were accounted for, Dacio unfurled himself from his sisters and padded carefully toward the mouth of Hougeda. With cautioned curiosity, the boy poked his snout outside just enough to scan the area before him, and pricked his over-sized ears forward as an unfamiliar hoo-hoo! echoed through the trees - a potential reason for his awakening.

The cub bristled with uncertainty, emitting an soft "wuff," in anxious response. With wide eyes that had begun their transition to adult hue, Dacio peered into the night. Much to his surprise, he found the face of an unusual grey bird with electric eyes staring right back at him from the canopy. He blinked up into the trees and thrust his tail upward to arch over peppered hindquarters, eager to show this odd creature that this was his turf, despite finding himself not quite bold enough to step into the open.

There was something that was keeping him up at night.  Maybe it was the cicadas which had begun their late summer uproar, or maybe it was because he wanted nomi to be okay again.  It seemed like there were always others coming and going from Drageda, and when @Helix visited Hougeda to talk with nomi, sometimes he was kicked out.  Although that wasn't presently the case, he did find himself making his way towards the front of the rendezvous, when he caught sight of a nebulous silhouette and two very large, round eyes.

The owl — although Tux did not yet know its name — ruffled its feathers and cried out with another hoo! directed towards the two boys, and Tux moved to Dacio's side.  Whadd'you think that is?

With his own litter-mates soundly asleep, Dacio had not anticipated the approach of another youngster. Although his family had been living within the hollows of Hougeda for a few days, he was still unaccustomed to sharing his home with Drageda's other children. Tux materialised at his side and, so focused on the large yellow eyes that stared back at him from the trees, he tensed in surprise when the other boy spoke.

Swiftly, recognition allowed him to settle, and Dacio leaned in close to press his shoulder to his companion in search of support. "I 'unno," he answered, tone hushed for fear of drawing further attention to himself. He did not have the slightest idea what this unusual creature was, and he certainly didn't want it swooping down to gobble him up!

He recoiled slightly as Dacio froze, but forgot about it just as easily as the other boy.  They focused on the owl once more.  It continued to ruffle its feathers and call to the boys, but given that they were so young an owl would still prove to be a formidable opponent.  When Dacio leans into him, something swells in his chest; a mixture of pride and the desire to protect his younger companion.  His bright yellow eyes dart back and forth before he looks again to Dacio.  We can hide in the bushes and watch him!

@Tux, sorry for this horrible delay.  D:

He held his breath and continued to watch, while the bird stared right back. Dacio felt safer with his two-toned companion at his side, for the months between their ages meant that Tux was significantly larger and more developed. He would protect him, surely, should the strange creature decide to swoop down from its perch to better inspect them.

Another loud hoo-hoo and the accompanying ruffling of feathers caused the ashen boy's darker lobes to splay backward with worry. Softly, he emitted a strained whimper and lifted his wide eyes to meet those of his cousin, who suggested that they venture toward the foliage to better observe.

At once he wanted to decline, but he didn't want to disappoint Tux or appear too afraid. Swallowing the anxious lump that swelled in his throat, Dacio tentatively nodded his head and waited for the other Drageda youth to take the first brave step.

oof sorry for this one on my end

Well, Tux thought he could make Dacio do it!  After all, if anyone were to get eaten, he'd loathe for it to be himself.  But Dacio's attention turns to Tux, and he is too scared to force it. He breaks into the open as the owl's devilish eyes continue to stare them down, and a shiver ripples down his spine as he whispers urgently at his cousin, Come on!  He then shoves himself in the bushes, heart pounding so hard it might beat out of his chest.

Fading here, hope you don't mind! Trying to finish up old threads to make room for new ones.  :D

There is a moment of silence as the two boys stare at one another, each willing their companion to take the first step into the open. Dacio is releaved when Tux bravely moves out, though he absolutely did not want to be left behind alone! He followed the other Goufa closely, dark hackles prickling nervously as he felt the owl's fierce gaze follow them across the small clearing.

With a rough shove, the ashen youngster is forced into the shelter of the foliage and he quickly turns to peer through the leaves at the watchful bird in the trees. "You think he's hunger?" Dacio asked, seeking to make eye contact with Tux briefly before furrowing his brow to glower up at the perched beast.

The anxious cubs lingered there quietly, watching and waiting, until the owl turned his proud head away and took flight to hunt elsewhere in the forest. Dacio seized this opportunity to stride out from the safety of their shelter, huffing a warning growl in the reatreating bird's direction in his feigned boldness - because there was no way it'd come back now that it had decided to leave, right?