Swiftcurrent Creek River rafting in winter thaw

Arric found himself treading near the river. Chunks of ice and broken branches littering from recent storms. He knew it could be treacherous. And as such he began pulling limbs from the edges. Paws and claws digging into the frosty ground. He did not want littles to see logs and thing oh a boat and jump atop it like a true son or daughter of the creek. Something he wished to avoid.

“Hi Daddy!” Juniper called when she spied her father at the edge of their territory’s namesake creek. “What’re you doing?”

The adolescent loped toward him and peered at the mess of ice and branches.

A shy-faced Campaign watched the pair at the distance, half-hidden by scraggly winter shrubs. Fatherless and self-conscious around grown men, the adolescent was not looking to interrupt the father-daughter interaction, but he was curious— privately wanting to emulate one of the man-leaders here.

He hoped they would not notice him, giving him more time to observe.

Arric turned at his daughters call and caught sight of the other youth beyond her. But he didnt' say anything. After all, Campaign would come if he wanted to. Arric was fine with him simply observing after all. 

I am getting some of the branches and logs out of the river. So no one feels the urge to float down this ice river. But also, because it is unsafe.

He leaned over to give his daughter a gentle lick around her ear if she'd allow. After all, not all wolves liked physical affection.

Juniper was, at heart, a rule follower. Her appetite to learn was insatiable and she absorbed every factoid her father mentioned.

Ice and debris accumulates in winter waters.
Ice rivers are dangerous.
It’s important to keep pack members safe.

Juniper took a step back from the creek’s bank, as if to telegraph that she wasn’t going to jump in.

“Can I help?” she asked.

Campaign had yet to be noticed.

Swallowing, nervous, Campaign pressed his ears forward to listen closely. Curiosity was one of his prominent traits—though his mother called it nosiness—so he would be content to watch distantly in silence as long as he could.

Another of the boy's less noticeable traits was his strong sense of envy, which bubbled up now at the display of affection he longingly observed between the father and his daughter.

He wondered to himself what it would be like to have a father...

pls skip me for now! tag if he's addressed

Arric chuckled. Yea you can help. Just stay near me and don't get tii close. Go for the ones at the edge not further out like me okay. And if it's too hard or too heavy just let it go.

He bent his head to meet her gaze. Making sure he understood. He looked bsck to the young male.

Called out. You can help to if ya want or you can watch. He didn't want to force the boy.

“Okay!“ Juniper chirped eagerly.

Her eyes scanned the water’s edge as her bookish mind analyzed the situation, the terrain, and estimated the weight of the sticks she would be permitted to carry.

You can help to if ya want or you can watch, her father’s deep voice called out.

Juniper looked over her shoulder and spied @Campaign’s pointed ears sticking out of the brush.

She turned and wagged her tail, hoping he was here to help.