Sawtooth Spire heart eyes emoji

@Atuaserk @Sitamat @Pingasut @Malrok Parents are allowed to join too, of course.

Happiness. His heart was bursting with love for Iqniq and Tonravik's litter. They were not his children – not by a long shot – but he has spent an entire month fretting over them. It was an implacable train of thought that troubled him most nights. Too often would he wake with those pups on his mind. Even weirder, it was always nighttime when these spells occurred. But now, now he has seen them. Smelled them, touched them, heard them...He was smitten. Positively smitten.
INDENTNow that Tonravik felt at ease in letting the pack interact with her children, Tatsuya's spirits soared. His preferred she-bear was no longer den ridden. That in and of itself was a definite plus. She still persists, never far from her brood. The Gamma expected nothing less. At least now he could come visit her without repercussion. He so did miss their time together.
INDENTTrotting gaily to the den site, the Gamma occasionally stopped to urinate and readjust the bones in his mouth. He carried two, but he was beginning to question how many he should have brought. The pronghorn he brought home long ago has started to rot, bones jabbing through what little flesh was left on the carcass. Tatsuya chewed and chewed at the exposed rib bones, teeth wearing away the protective surface. They broke beneath his ceaseless mastication. The bones themselves were longer than the pups, so two might be overboard.
INDENTToo late. The den site came into view. The Gamma woofed to announce himself, not wanting to alert whoever guarded Tonravik's progeny. Hearing no protests, Tatsuya laid down some paces away from the den opening. Slipping one bone into the crease of his armpit, he 'held' the other with his paws and began chewing on it noisily. From what he has seen of the pups, they were overeager to explore the world outside of the den. Nonetheless, the wolverine came prepared with ivory lures just in case. Come on out, fuzzballs. I've got a surprise for you.

The first meeting with the pack — the others — had alighted a spark of curiousity within Sitamat who, although still wary of the outside world, was coming around to the whole idea. Exploring wasn't something he was quite comfortable with yet, but the boy drew further and further away from the den's entrance each time they were allowed (or, in Sitamat's case, persuaded). This was usually accomplished via food, which is what roused the youngest awake today quite suddenly.

His nose wiggled first, taking in a foreign scent and...something else. It was strange, yet appetising at the same time. With his ungainly stride, Sitamat slowly crept towards the entrance, turning back to woof at his siblings. Something — someone — was outside, and they had food! While he didn't want to be the first to check it out, the boy poked his head shyly through the entrance, blue eyes settling on a large, dark figure. He didn't have time to figure out who it was or what exactly he was holding, for the youngest quickly folded back his ears and dipped below the lip of the den's entrance again in fright.

omg yay!

The third born was ecstatic. It seemed like new and wonderful things kept happening every new day, and he could hardly wait to see what was next. First he met his father, and then was allowed out of the den for the first time, and then he met the entire pack. To say he enjoyed that would be an understatement. The pack's fox was proving to be a social creature who thrived among others, and so when one of their packmate's woofed from outside, he was on his feet in mere seconds, tail shaking from side to side.

Pingasut sat back down, expecting this packmate to come into the den, but he did not, and it was his brother who was the first to move to the entrance, calling back to them with a soft woof. The third born's ears lifted and he started to vibrate with excitement. He hurried to follow his brother, with a far smoother stride than the bear, who stopped just short of the outside world. The fox, however, kept going. He was several paces outside of the den, blue eyes glittering as they spotted the dark male.

He yipped a greeting, and then his eyes found the bone. He ran his tongue across his lips, and then glanced back at Sitamat, who was crouched down in fear. The fox went to his brother, nosing his ear and crooning his reassurance, before he turned back and started toward their packmate. He woofed over his shoulder at his sibling, before he bounded over to greet their visitor with soft whines and leaping nips directed at his muzzle.

Don't let the length of this post dissuade you two lmao. TAT IS HAPPY 4 PUPPIES THAT'S ALL.

No sooner did he begin to chew on his bone did something move within the den. Ears and eyes attuned to the near inaudible movement, Tatsuya caught a glimpse of what stirred within the shadowy lair. Sitamat's utterance – lacking the edge of a wolf full grown – stimulated the Delta: ears flick back and his tail swish, swished against the grass. Playful, harmless, inviting. The sight of Sitamat's rotund head peeking out of the entrance – large baby blues taking him in – made the wolverine's movements lessen.
INDENTTatsuya has never been able to interact with pups. Truly interact with them. One time he approached three of them and ended up running away bloody. Damn milk teeth. To be honest, the Delta did not care for them before joining Tonravik. Only when he knew the she-bear to be pregnant did his curiosity peak. Paternal emotions began to flood him each passing week Tonravik's belly dropped lower and lower. It started out as a trickle, then a stream, and finally a rapid in the cubs' reveal. Now Tatsuya wanted to invest any of his free time into these darling fuzzballs.
INDENTSitamat was more comfortable in the den. Was he diffident? Frightened? Even as the timid cub shied away from the Delta's invitation to eat and play, a different pup had no qualms about leaving the den. It was none other than Pingasut. Tatsuya simpered. She must be so pissed to have a son who looks like a fox. Seeing as Tonravik was a traditional wolf, he could see her being upset over Pingasut's vulpine appearance. Moreover, Pingasut's small body might be another irritant to the boorish Alpha. No doubt all of her whelps had some imperfection. It just so happens Pingasut won the lottery of earning his mother's dislike. I hope I'm wrong. For your sake.
INDENTThe vulpine whelp reassured his sibling and rushed the Delta. The pup's whines were met with happy growls, tail wagging wildly behind him once more. As for the nipping...With those teeth, Tatsuya would rather not take any chances. Aiming to dissuade the pup's nips, the wolverine let out a warning growl. No bites, he said, brandishing teeth to drive home the fact. If Pingasut obeyed, Tatsuya would give him a soothing lick on his forehead. If not, Tatsuya would show him the error of his disobedience.
INDENTRather than gnawing on him, the bistre giant offered the rib bone to Pingasut's merciless teeth. Having worried the bone enough with his own gnashing, it threatened to shatter and yield the delicious marrow within. He tested it to make sure. Yup. Soft enough for puppy teeth. Now sporting a new coat of saliva, he offered it to Pingasut again. Chew on this. You'll like it.

With his seemingly unending energy, Pingasut was first to charge out of the den, startling Sitamat as he rushed past. He whined softly as the smaller boy went closer to the dark adult waiting outside, before quieting as he came back to give him a reassuring nudge. He glanced back at the others, hoping they too would come along. Before he could get a response from them, however, Pingasut's bark caught his attention, and the youngest hesitantly rose onto all fours.

He kept his eyes trained upon the giant wolf outside as he crept towards them, stopping as he gave his brother a quick growl and a show of teeth as the pup nipped at his mouth. So trying to get food from him was a no-go. Sitamat meekly let out a whine, trying to let the stranger know he would do his best not to anger him, before waddling forward a little more. His eyes locked onto the bone the man had brought with him, nose wiggling as he took in the delicious scent. It was offered to Pingasut who was closer, and so the boy hung back to let his brother test it out first.

*is dissuaded* ...jk XD

His packmate's warning was sufficient to stop the fox's nipping, which was replaced with much softer licks until the dark wolf offered up a distraction. Pingasut ooooo'ed at this, and happily accepted the bone. He grasped one end of the bone and dragged it off to the side, laying down with it with a paw draped across it and tail sweeping the earth. He then jumped backward, bowing down and parting his mouth into a silent growl. He shuffled from side to side, tossing his head and uttering soft and playful noises at the bone. Next, the fox leaped toward it, raising a paw and slapping it down before springing backward again. Then with a bark, he pounced the rib and started to work in his jaws.

Pingasut stopped nipping thankfully, eagerly turning his teeth on Tatsuya's gift. Pleased, he beamed as he carried it off. The fox-wolf played with the rib like it was alive. Were it possible, the Delta's grin widened...before falling at Sitamat's meek whine. Unexpectedly, the sound wretched his heart. The message was not lost on him. Tatsuya let out a reassuring whine. At least the black furred cub has exited the den. Although that was accomplished in no small part to Pingasut, not the Delta.
INDENTWould Sitamat's timidity stay with him in the years to come? Tatsuya could not recall the emotions he felt in exploring the world outside his mother's lair. Too young for retention. Mom wasn't around either, so he couldn't ask. Sighing pensively, he gazed 'pon Sitamat's pudgy form. No doubt his parents (AKA mom) would beat the timorousness out of him. Proverbially or literally. Physically or mentally. Such musing rubbed him the wrong way. While he understood much of what Tonravik did, Tatsuya could not see himself staying tame as she roughed up her son(s). His heart was too big. Hopefully Iqniq will not join in on Tonravik's brutal grooming.
INDENTDon't wanna think about this. It was making him sad. And it was also painting Tonravik as a villain where the she-bear has done no wrong. Yet. Nothing was set in stone. Their indeterminable future – what awaits them? The wolverine hoped they grew up nourished with love; that they might never know the bitterness of being alone. And if they ever do find themselves solitary, may it be by choice, not force. “君たちは私を強調しています。そして、あなたは何もしていません!” he moaned as he laid on his side. If nothing else, he was glad to watch them. He would never tire of looking at them. Ahh, so precious! Ser Pudge and Foxbutt. Malrok can be Chalky and Atuaserk can be...hm. That's a tough one. Blobble? No. That sounds stupid. So does Chalky. Back to the drawing board.

The beast's easy going whine gained a small wiggle of Sitamat's tail as he crept closer still. Pingasut's own playful and relaxed temperament put his fears at ease. What fears those were, he had no idea yet. It just seemed the boy got an extra dose of cautiousness compared to his siblings. Only time — and, more likely, his upbringing — would tell if this trait would stay with him or not.

He watched as his brother set upon the bone that was larger than himself, pawing and growling at it before settling down and beginning to nibble. With a tilt of his head, the youngest waddled forward, pausing only as Tatsuya fell onto his side after speaking some indeterminable words. He stared at the man curiously, having never heard sounds like those before, but the scent of the rib bone and the soft noises from Pingasut's gnawing distracted him.

Turning back to his brother, Sitamat loosed a soft whine before waving his tail, asking permission to share the plaything. He didn't wait for a response, however, and quickly moved to grasp onto the opposite end of the bone. He pinned it beneath his paws, turning his head to chew on it sideways, looking at Tatsuya as he did so with an excited expression.

The fox turned an ear and cast a sidelong glance to the dark male when he spoke, understanding that he was speaking but not the tongue in which he did so. Since his words were scarcely more than noise, Pingasut was quick to return his attention to the bone.

He continued to lick and gnaw at the rib, but as Sitamat moved to approach he stiffened. He fixed his brother with an unblinking stare, but other than the onset of tension in his muscles, there was nothing to indicate that a protective, possessive instinct was rising in the fox. His soft fur was smooth, he made not a sound, and he did not pull back his lips to display his teeth. Sitamat grasped the opposite end of the bone, pinning it as he started to chew. The fox did not move, but nor did his gaze, and his teeth had clamped tightly on his end. He just stared.

Both pups looked at him when he spoke. Lost in translation, as expected. Tatsuya simply smiled at their clueless faces, moving to stare at them in a more comfortable position. Not before casting his gaze in multiple directions. Left, right, up, down. He wanted to make sure no predators loitered nearby. The coyote attack was still fresh in his mind.
INDENTSpotting no mordacious characters prowling about, his gaze settled upon the two cubs once more. Oh? What is this? Sitamat – emboldened by his brother – grasped the bone opposite to Pingasut. The fox stopped playing, growing inflexibly still. Aside from that, Pingasut did not show signs of typical possessiveness. What was he doing? Was he not accustomed to dominance? Pingasut did not sport the magnitude of his brother. And yet his personality made up for his lacking physical properties. Tatsuya observed, countenance one of interest. The other bone was stowed away and out of view. The Delta brought it along for instances such as this. Molten eyes appraised the shade. How will he react to his knavish brother's inaction?

Sitamat didn't take notice of Pingasut's sudden stiffness and possessiveness of the bone that they now shared. He didn't even know he was sharing it. He simply continued gnawing at it, slobbering over the side as he ground his baby teeth against the strange texture. It was smooth and rough at the same time and, while the taste wasn't satisfying, it wasn't unpleasant either.

It was only when he turned his head to gnaw on the bone with the other side of his jaws that he noticed his brother staring at him. His entire posture was rigid, his blue eyes boring into his younger sibling. Sitamat gazed back, both wondering what had the fox so on edge and unaware that perhaps he was a bit protective of his plaything.

Their packmate did not exist in this moment. The fox had zeroed in on the bear cub, and his focus was unflinching. Sitamat continued to gnaw, and Pingasut continued to stare. When his brother lifted his head and gazed back at him, the fur rose along his back like quills and the faintest of creases appeared on his muzzle; but these signs were subtle and afforded only a fraction of a second in warning, for in the very next instant, the third born was lunging at his brother. His ears were thrust forward and his teeth were bared as his jaws opened, intent on delivering a stinging bite to Sitamat's nose.

The rolypoly bear cub took notice, inquisitive. Knowing Sitamat's question to be blameless, Tatsuya did not intervene as Pingasut showed signs of aggression. In the nanoseconds between the fox's dominant posture and the lunge for his brother, the wolverine jounced where he lay. Somewhere hidden beneath his partiality for these rascals, there is a need to protect them. From outsiders, from weather, from predators, and from themselves. I should be supporting this behavior. That's what Tonravik would want, right? By doing nothing, he exercised encouragement. Though it pained him to see either of them embroiled in a spat he could break off, the wolverine stayed put. Claws dug into earth as he waited for the victor, forelimbs spread wide; a sly come hither should Sitamat seek sanctuary from Pingasut's brutality. What will you do? Fight or flee?

Their gazes locked, Sitamat's questioning and Pingasut's blank and unreadable. Suddenly, the smaller boy lurched forward, a set of tiny sharp teeth aimed right for his brother's face. Sitamat only had time to let out a squeak of surprise before Pingasut snagged his jaws on the boy's nose. It immediately began to sting, and he withdrew with a hurt whine, into the safety of the area the stranger made with his forelimbs.

The youngest choked out a sob, looking up to his brother with a look of both confusion and betrayal. He had no clue why the fox cub had done that, and was rather offended now. He rubbed his nose against his shoulder with a snivel, trying to numb the sting that Pingasut's teeth had left. If his brother sought to come closer, he would be met with a warning growl by the larger boy, preferring the adult's company right now more than his sibling's.

It broke my heart to do that! I am sorry Sita :( Lol <3
Last post for me!

His brother whined, and with a sob retreated toward their dark packmate. The fox was still stiffly posed over his bone and staring, but as he peered sharply at the fourth born's confused and beytrayed expression, he softened. His blue eyes regained their usual softness, and his face mirrored a similar confusion to his brother's own. He glanced around, as if unsure of what exactly had happened. He looked to the bone, then to his brother, and whined as he glanced up at Tatsuya, his countenance questioning. When he turned to look at bone again, the shift in his expression was evident once more. He took on the same focused look, and seized the rib. Without a look back, he dragged it off. Hidden away, the third born gnawed and licked at the marrow in the bone.

The fox had gone feral. He did not understand it, but beneath his curious and playful personality lay some striking, primal instincts that would guide his actions as they awoken. This had only been the beginning.

When he had finished with the bone sometime later, he would seek out his brother to make amends, feeling quite bad for snapping at him, but not knowing why he had.