Northstar Vale I Really Want to Go Outside and Stop to See Your Day

Lookin for something for this girl! Can be a sibling but I'd like her to run into someone new! title reference if you'd like some background noise

Much like her siblings, the young Princess had grown an interest for the outdoors. When she was able, Hotaru would slip outside be that with her mother's watchful gaze or on her own while the rest slumbered. Today it had been the latter, or at least she believed they had fallen asleep. Steady steps took her to the mouth of the den, a hard squint as her eyes adjusted before she lowered her nose to sniff. 

There were always so many interesting smells out here, she could never follow them all. That wouldn't stop her from trying though! She wandered sometimes moving in little circles as she tried to figure out how to follow a scent path. Most of the time she would just get distracted by another smell and swerve off course. This time she had grown so focused on her task that she didn't even realize the rock before her and ended with a head-on collision.

It wasn't hard, but the bonk was enough to cause her to recoil confused, blink a few times, then let out a loud cry for anyone that might hear her complaints. Oh, how life was hard.

Cordelia was making her way around the territory, still getting used to the terrain even though she had been in the pack for quite some time now. Her healed state allowed her to roam more freely and with her head held high. Still unsure of her purpose in the pack she wandered aimlessly taking in the sights and staying away from the borders. 

Her attention was alerted as the cries of a young pup meet her perked ears. Though Cordelia wasn't a mother, caring for her younger siblings had made her in tune with such tries and she was quick to respond. The cries lead her to a little snowy princess, Cordelia had never seen before. She knew puppies had been born within the pack but didn't know much past that.

"What's wrong young Miss?" Cordelia asked slowly walking up to the princess and laying down to be at her level.

It wouldn't take long for her cries to be noticed, just as the young Princess expected. The woman who approached was stark white leading to a brief belief that it had been her mother to come to her rescue, but her voice betrayed her. As Cordelia crouched down to her level watery eyes took notice of the light dusting along her face, she had never seen anything like it before though her father also had a brown mark on his face.

She wasn't certain who this woman was, but she looked like her family so...that meant she was also family right? Another mom? Hotaru's yells settled to mere whimpers as her focus soon turned away from her stumble. Her words were soft much like Reiko's and though she couldn't actually explain her struggle, she'd do her best through grumbled pup gibberish and a few gestures to the offending rock.

Once down on her level, the little Miss had a chance to take a breath and took a look at Cordelia. It was nice to see that despite being a stranger, she had a way about her that didn't scare the young girl. Far too young to form proper words Cordelia had to work out just what had happened. The little one seemed particularly agitated by the rock before her. This display was quite cute but despite a faint smile, Cordelia took in what she was saying with great pretend seriousness. 

The rock wasn't that big and if dug around for a bit would even be moveable. But for such a small individual it must seem quite large. The rock was out in the open and wasn't blocking anything so that wasn't caused for frustration. Perhaps the little one simply didn't like the rock, but then why had she been crying. Maybe she tripped over it or banged against it in some way. Regardless it didn't really matter what the issue was with the rock, the response was all that mattered. 

"Is this rock troubling you Miss?" Cordelia began before turning her attention to the rock in a firm authoritarian voice. "Now listen here rock. You have made this darling young lady cry. What do you have to say for yourself?" she asked the rock in the midst of play and gave a small moment for the rock's response. "Well, that simply won't due. You have been a very bad rock" She took her front paw and lightly hit the top of the rock a few times. "bad" 

Her attention went back to the light pup. "There. This rock shant both you any longer" Cordelia hoped this light but pretend seriousness would at least be some fun for the young girl. It had been something her siblings quite enjoyed. Anytime they had been hurt telling off the inanimate object that had caused them pain usually distracted them enough to forget their hurting.

The woman stayed low as she listened, perhaps she actually understood her because she was quick to turn to the offensive rock! Hotaru hadn't expected her to actually do something about it, her mother usually just drew her near when she cried to pepper her with kisses. She couldn't quite make out everything she said, but the tone was enough for her. She had seen Sumi scolded enough to know that Cordelia put the rock in its place. Maybe next time it would stay out of her way.

As the woman's attention turned back to her, Hotaru tried to compose herself. She felt a bit better now knowing that the rock had been in the wrong and it now knew that. Little paws rubbed at her face to deal with the extra water that had sat along her lid before she trotted closer to press against the woman as thanks. She had not yet realized that the physical contact with a stranger would be bad, but to her this woman was family and she had always found comfort gluing herself to the sides of her siblings or parents.

It seemed her plan had worked, as the little miss's whimpering ceased and she adorably whipped her tears away. When she came forward and pressed up against Cordelia she had no reservations. It always felt good when a young pup decided to give you something whether that is a pebble, hug, or smile. It was almost as though they were too young to lie about their feelings and it felt insanely genuine. "Ahh. Thank you" Cordelia said to her lightly nuzzling her against her side.

If Cordelia wasn't such a nice individual this may not have been appropriate. But this pup was so young it was unlikely she knew to avoid strangers. Likely she would do it on her own if she didn't like them. But Cordelia wasn't her mother, and she suspected she was too young to understand her completely. An attempt to teach her that lesson now seemed pointless. But if she was too young to know that on her own perhaps she was too young to be out alone. "You perhaps shouldn't be out alone," she said to the little miss in a kind voice, assuming she wouldn't be fully understood. "Where're your parents? Mama? Papa?" she was trying to think of words the young pup might know to get some sort of response. Cordelia wasn't sure how far whatever den this pup came out of was but any hints would be appreciated.

Hotaru wasn't shoed way nor yelled at so she reveled in the touch of the woman until she was satisfied and pranced off a short distance. Some words followed her as she moved bringing the young Princess to a stop. She looked to Cordelia confused by her words, but some got through. Mama was familiar. Instinctively she glanced towards her den expecting to see Reiko at the entrance, perhaps to corral her as she did with her younger sibling, but no one was there. Maybe this lady was confused too. She'd look back to Corra with a head tilt to show her own confusion.

Her questions were met with looks of confusion and Cordelia couldn't think of a better way to ask. It wasn't as though she could play charades and pretend to be her mother. She didn't know the women well enough for a start. But it seemed when she had said "mama" the little one looked off in a different direction. Perhaps this was in the direction of the den. Even if it wasn't it wasn't as though she could do something else, apart from calling for another individual. But they weren't in danger and so she thought that might be a bit over the top. If not at least this little one would have someone to watch over her as she played. 

Cordelia stood up and lightly shook her pelt to free it of any debris. And lightly gestured with her head in the direction of where the young pup had looked. Perhaps she would lead the way and find her way back home eventually.

Hotaru just stared with unblinking eyes as the woman processed her thoughts. Maybe she didn't know what she wanted after all, but eventually, she'd gesture in the same direction of her den. Once more, blue eyes turned towards her den before looking back to Corra. Did she want to go home? Maybe, she was family after all and she hadn't seen her yet so maybe she was lost! The girl squeaked as if she cracked the code before turning to totter off towards her den. Every now and then she'd cast a glance back to make sure Corra was actually following so she wouldn't get lost again.

After Cordelia gestured in the same direction as the little one she was meeting with a confused look. Perhaps she could have to take the lead. But moments later a squeak erupted from this little one and she was quick to march in that direction. Cordelia followed along strolling behind the young one who had to vigorously walk to keep the same pace. Every now and again she would glance back and Cordelia, which was very cute to see how seriously she was taking this matter. 

As they continued to walk the terrain became familiar and it became apparent to Cordelia that they were headed in the direction of Reiko's den. A location the pack had a meeting not too long ago. "Oh. You must be one of our new princesses" she said openly. Making conversation despite knowing it would not be reciprocated. 

Once they got close to where the entrance of the den was visible Cordelia thanked the young princess. "Thank you, your highness" She wasn't if this was goodbye. If the little one would venture into the den and spend the rest of the evening with others of royalty, but Cordelia thought it would be good to get her introduction out of the way. Mostly for fun as again... reciprocation was unlikely. "My names Cord..." she caught herself. "Corra... Corra, Corra, Corra" she hadn't talked to many individuals recently and repeated the name to remind herself.

The girl trotted easily as they made the trip to her den. She seemed content enough, though an ear would flick as Cordelia spoke again. She still wasn't fully sure what she meant, but princess sounded familiar. As her chatter continued, the little girl would stop to look at her company. A word seemed to be repeated several times, something she was vaguely familiar of with her parents. This time though, she was unsure as to what the woman was referring to. With a cocked head the princess tried to make sense of the repetition, kchwahhhh! It definitely wasn't a word, but to her, she had made her point, even if she had accidentally yelled it.

Even though the repetition of her name was meant to aid Cordelia's memory it didn't go unnoticed by the young highness. kachwahhh. It prompted Cordelia's attention to focus back on the young miss with a surprise and pleased look on her face. The pronunciation was lacking but the effort was there, and there wasn't much this little pup could do that wouldn't be considered adorable. 

It brought a large smile to Cordelia's muzzle as she praised the young pup's efforts. "Very good. That's right. I'm Corra. Cooorrrra," she said emphasizing the consonants and vowels that were missed in the initial attempt.

Her words were met with the praise she was used to earning the pale woman a wag of the Princess' stumpy tail. Words were still hard for her and pronunciation was still far off, but it seemed that her sounds got the point through.

Once again she was coaxed into repetition, but this time Hotaru found herself pausing more trying to understand if she did it wrong or if the lady just wanted her to say it again, Chohwwwaaah

She meet the girl's second attempt with a bright smile and a few giggles. They were essentially the same lacking the proper R sound. "I suppose that's close enough," she said still in a praising tone. Perhaps the sound of the letter was particularly difficult for young pups, but with a bit of guessing one could understand it. 

So they were now both back at the little miss's home, and Cordelia felt comfortable leaving the little one here if she so chose. She waited to see if she would descend back into the end or continue her adorable antics.

I think this is hotaru's last post!

The girl babbled happily at the praise. She had her come back home, and while she wasn't sure she figured it was a sign for them to go in, so after a moment of standing around with nothing happening, the young girl's ears would perk as she waddled towards the den entrance. Giving a glance back she expected Corra to follow, though if she didn't there would likely be no complaints. Finally, she would slip back in and find a comfy place beside her siblings to curl up.