Heron Lake Plateau that was pretty bad ass until it wasn't.

Can I just say that eyeballs are the best? I mean sure, Fig had always had them. So the better comment would probably be to say that working eyeballs were the best. But I think you get it no matter what way I say it, so all of this rambling is kind of pointless. Point is, Fig enjoyed being able to see.

What he did not enjoy was being restricted over where he was permitted to use his eyeballs. The den had once seemed like the whole world to him, but now he was able to see that there was a place in it where the big wolves came and went. Where was it they were going? Where were they coming from? Thus far his attempts to discover this had been quickly deterred by the same big wolves that were constantly rubbing it in his face that they were allowed to go there at will.

But now, the big wolves were asleep. And only little Fig was awake, gazing hungrily at the magic portal. His little pea brain wasn't very smart, but after attempting to escape a good 572 times (often one attempt immediately following the other because persistence is key, my friends) while the big wolves were awake to stop him, it was occuring to him that now might be a good time to try. That or he just wanted to try again with no actual concept of the logic that would drive his chances of success. I'm going to guess its the latter.

With steps that were very slowly growing more coordinated, the pup stood and trotted towards the mouth of the den. The more steps he took, the more his little tail began beating back and forth. It was working!! He was only about thirteen seconds into his attempt at that point, but still. He was going to ride the high of victory as long as he could, which would likely only be another ten.

Not without Fenn he wasn't.

If they were busting out, then they were doing it together, that or she'd make sure he definitely got caught in the process.  She woke up when he moved away, and blinked to see his tiny, somewhat blurry form moving away.  Well, then, about time!  She was down to go where they shouldn't - getting in trouble, she was fast finding, wasn't much of a deterrent.

She snuck up next to him quietly (well, she figured quietly) and then, if he paused, past him.  He better not argue because success definitely depended on his silently letting her come.  Her little tail was a propeller as she half-pranced, half-tripped towards the outside.  Maybe this time they'd actually make it out!

Little shits think you can just WALTZ OUT OF HERE???

Phox had spent the past two weeks coming to terms with Camilla's death and what it meant for him, Towhee, Fig, and Fennec. The kids were too young to understand, but one day he would explain what had happened. He would probably consult Raven (and/or Finley) on how to do that, considering they had been the ones to break the news to him and his siblings about their parents.

The Gamma had been napping comfortably, but he awoke due to the lack of warmth along one side, which could only mean one thing. Instead of stopping them, though, Phox watched carefully as the two pups propelled themselves toward the den entrance. He wondered if they would actually try and escape, or if they would get to the mouth and stop on their own. If the former happened, he would step in, but otherwise he was content to watch from where he was lying.

we do what we want, DAD

It didn't take Fig long to get caught. He heard movement and paused to see who it was. He was already shrinking slightly as he turned to see, thinking it was Towhee or Phox coming to put him back in puppy jail. The moment his eyes clapped onto his sister, he popped right back up again. So they would be making a break for it together, it seemed! Fig could be down with that.

He felt a slight shift in his purpose as he stumbled along after Fenn, who had indeed overtaken him. Where the Redhawk had initially set off with adventure and curiosity driving his steps, he continued out of a protective need to keep his sister company as she went on the adventure. He didn't notice his father moving at the back of the den, being too focused now on the task at hand. He was too busy dogging Fenn's pawsteps, and soon enough, stopping dead in his tracks to stare wide-eyed at the world that had opened up before them as they neared the entrance.

It was.

So.

BIG.

Fig stopped at the entrance and likely, probably, would have bought them some time enjoying the view.  Fenn, however, was going to ruin it for the both of them.  She just couldn't see things well from there... so she didn't hesitate and continued on outside, staring about with her large ears twisting to catch the noises of the world.

It was huge!

Looking around was cool, but the grass was the best part.  It felt way different than dirt beneath her paws, and she scuffled at it, enjoying a few moments of blissful freedom before dad inevitably came and scooped her back inside.

Fig paused at the den mouth, and Phox shifted so he'd be ready to corral them back when they got a little braver. That, of course, didn't take long. Fennec bobbed right past her brother, and Phox's much longer strides made it easy to block their path from going more than a foot outside the den's entrance. He didn't want to be a helicopter parent, and if they felt ready to see the outside world, he wouldn't stop them.

His body made a half-circle barricade just outside the den mouth, and he watched them carefully from here, brown eyes following their every move and watching them explore "the great outdoors." For the first time since their mother's death, he smiled.

Fig's distraction at seeing the outside world for the first time lasted about thirty seconds. Just as Phox came up behind them, Fig's gaze fell on Fenn as she went bounding on ahead. His eyes widened even bigger than was previously physically possible as he watched her move away from him into the unknown. Anxiety nabbed his little heart and he tore off after her, closing the distance that separated them as quickly as he could. Which was not very quick.

The boy would've tackled her and pinned her protectively to the ground had it not been for their father's sudden (to him) presence. He crowded up against his sister as he peered up at Phox's dark face, looking sufficiently ashamed of himself. But Phox's expression was not one of displeasure--not at all. There was something about it that Fig read as encouragement. Anxiety officially vanquished now that both he and Phox were there to take care of Fenn, Fig smiled back and returned his attention to the world at large. He bounced forward to explore the little area he was given while his tiny tail wagged like a propellor shooting him forward.

She chirruped in surprise as a large shadow fell over her, but then she recognized it.  He didn't seem intent on interfering, though, so after a minute of waiting to be plucked up she began to look around again.

Fig had returned to her side as usual and was crowding in, which she allowed because yeah ok if he needed her presence to feel better she could understand that.  He seemed to get more ok when dad appeared above, so she moved away opposite, nosing at the grass.  It felt so goooood.

She flopped over and rolled, smiling as the blades tickled her cheek and her ears.  This was good enough, she wasn't pushing her luck.  She'd just squirm here and play with the flowers if that was cool.

Probably the last post here for me, since he'll just be chillin' and making sure they don't run off. And I don't like keeping puppy threads going too long since they grow and change so fast!

The two kids seemed content to hang out in their small fenced-in area, and for that, Phox was thankful. Hopefully giving them a little bit of freedom would go a long way. He couldn't actually remember back to when he was that young, but he remembered the kids last year hardly ever being allowed out at this age. These kids had been born in an open field, so he thought it only natural that they would want to get back out there as soon as possible. They'd had a taste of it, even if their tiny brains probably hadn't put that together yet.

He hoped that they would live long, happy lives. He hoped they could one day get to know Camilla through the memories he had of her. He hoped that everything would be all right. With his chin resting on the ground, he continued to watch them frolic in the small patch of the world outside the den.

Fig always kept his sister within his awareness, even when he wasn't focused squarely on her. Even at that young age, he felt protective over her and he didn't like to be so far that he couldn't get back to her if she needed him. It was as though she had a perimeter around her and the moment Fig reached the edge, he bounced off and returned to her. As they got older, the perimeter would likely grow as well. But for now, it was fairly small, and it didn't take too long for him to bump up against it and go toddling back to Fenn's side.

But if you ask him, he only came back because it looked like she was having fun and he wanted to be part of it. Fig leaned into a play bow facing her as she wriggled around in the grass and yapped at her a few times. He then collapsed into the ground himself and began to wriggle, enjoying the feel of dirt and plants mushing against his fur.

Her brother joined her and she grabbed for him with both paws, rolling over to bring him into a wrestle.  While she would never ask him to stay close (even if she could), she couldn't imagine what it would be like to be alone because she took his presence for granted now.  He was a constant.

She growled, trying to roll him over but failing pretty considerably.  She was tiny compared to him and her legs didn't have a whole lot of oomph behind them.  At least she was determined?

Apparently they were going to turn this into a battle. Well that was fine with Fig Newton--he was always ready for a tussle. He giggled and rolled as though she had actually done it herself (fat chance). This position simply made it easier for him to wrap his arms around her shoulders, hold her tight, and attempt to latch his jaws around the side of her neck.

It always turned into a battle, brother!

He got a good ol hold on her, though, and she was effectively pinned.  Now it was her turn to squeal and squirm, trying to get herself loose so that she could run (waddle awkwardly) away and kick off a game of chase.

She leaned down to give his paw a little chomp, squirming and wriggling. If she got loose she'd take off, and good luck catching her once she got goin! She was as fast as a drunk badger.

Ahhh damn you, sister!

Only Fig wasn't mad in the least. He liked sister battles. They were super fun! Plus, he got to feel victorious when he won, which was super awesome. The only bad part was when he lost, which didn't often happen. Because it didn't. It DIDN'T!!

Fen managed to wriggle out of his grasp with that wicked clever bite-the-paw move that he was definitely going to need to remember for next time. He flailed his way back onto all fours and barrelled after her. Unfortunately for her, he was as fast as a drunk Stevie. And drunk Stevies are... pretty much useless, but also very determined when they want something, and Fig wanted to give Fen's bum a good chomp.

Apparently drunk Stevies are faster than drunk badgers because he got her! It also didn't help that she edged the border of their area, forcing Phox to swoop in as barrier and prevent her escape. 

She squeaked indignantly as he chomped her bum, and twisted around to try and retaliate.  It was no fair if dad was on his side, and she wasn't about to let that go unanswered!

This definitely means I need to challenge a drunk badger to a foot race. Can you imagine if I pulled that trick out at the bar? I could get so many free drinks from bets. Not sure where the hell I'm going to find a bar that also serves badgers, but boy will I be ready when I find it.

Wait, who am I supposed to be writing about?

Fig giggled proudly as he nabbed his sister by the bum. He tugged backwards on her, trying to knock her over. She threw him by turning to smack him around a bit, the end result being that he fell over and was soon enough on his back. His legs kicked about in the air as he tried to right himself and beat her up simultaneously and ended up instead succeeding in neither of those things.

She managed to overturn him like some kind of sad turtle, but she only had a second to watch him struggle, legs flailing.  Now was her shot!  She planted both front paws on his belly and figured that would hold him, because surely her tiny weight was enough.  

She was victorious, so she didn't need to keep nipping at him.  Instead she let out a (rather high pitched) bark, announcing her victory to the world.

Fig hadn't realized how vulnerable he had left himself when he'd fallen. He knew it wasn't a great position because he was aware enough of his own self that he knew he couldn't get enough leverage in this position to put his head where it needed to be to chomp real good. But usually his flailing limbs kept the worst at bay, though that was clearly not the case this time around as Fen sumo-smashed into his exposed belly.

The Redhawk gave a loud oof at the sudden pressure, but that's unfortunately not where it ended. See, his bladder had also been fairly full at the time. And while he certainly hadn't intended it as a counterattack when he... unleased... It did happen anyway, and Fen was more than likely in the line of fire.

But what siblings haven't peed on each other at one point or another, amirite? (my brother and I have never peed on each other)

Ohhhh boy.  She definitely got him good, but he definitely got her back.

She wrinkled her nose and stepped back as she was hit point blank by the stream and it doused her side with warmth.  That wasn't so bad.  But then it got cold, and that... that wasn't good.

She let out a high pitched whine that likely alerted a long-suffering Phox to the situation.  Someone fix this please.  In the meantime she rolled over to try (super ineffectively) to clean it off herself.

That's about when Dad decided they'd had enough. Fig laughed his fool head off over the sight of Fen cowering away from him and began to use the earth as a napkin. He rolled onto his stomach to watch, giggling with glee up until he saw Phox's shadow stretch out around him. He peered up to give his father a sheepish grin before ducking out of the way as Fen was scooped up and he was summoned to follow them back home where he would continue to cackle as his sister was bathed and they were then both sent to bed.

gonna go ahead and wrap this'un up! <3