Larksong Grotto bitter sweat and circumstance

Slowly but surely, Marble grows and develops in the quiet corners of Sagtannet. It’s a lonely process; she spent most of her days on her own studying the same rocks, or trees, or birds she saw everyday. The silence doesn’t bother her, not even a bit. She preferred it over spending time with her little family (she doesn’t avoid them out of hatred of course), or having to listen to @Astraeus ramble on and on (now she doesn’t hate him, but the chatter certainty pushes her buttons).

She’s no pup anymore, that’s what she tells herself at least. She’s older now, and therefore has the right to stray away from the mountain. It’s a trip she’d been looking forward to since the last time she’d slipped away. All of Sagtannet had been mapped by her at this point. A budding scholar must study everything the world had to offer.

Marble didn’t get too far. She most certainly would have if not for her discovery. On the ground sat a bird, but not a songbird she was so used to seeing. It’s large and white, stained by dirt. A gull. Marble crouched in the underbrush as she watched it skip around.

Reference tag; also, I am sort of assuming that Wylla didn't oust him for asking questions

For a while after arriving at the mountain, Taikon didn't stray from it. He was thankful to have been given another chance at a life close to one of his greatest friends. Even if @Takiyok didn't think of him that way, he found their friendship to give him a great sense of belonging.
Now, though, things felt strange. He did not like the direction that Wylla was taking things. He didn't like the idea that just because some wolf had a coat covered in scars, that they should as a pack attack the Rusalka that had taken over the cliffs. Judging an entire group of wolves based on the way one of them looked and making assumptions from previous occupants was absolutely ridiculous to him. More than that, it reminded him greatly of the way that his mother the Queen had treated all outside of the kingdom. If Wylla was willing to plunge them into war over nothing, Taikon would stay only to protect his friend. There was nothing else he could do.
The way to the grotto was difficult and harsh. Takiyok had shown him the start of the path when he had arrived, but he had never actually taken it. So he did that day, hoping for peace of mind from his swimming thoughts.
When he reached the grotto below, he was taken with its beauty. He didn't get very far when he found a girl crouched in the brush. As he moved forward to say hello, a great gull cried out angrily. It flew off in a hurry. He realized the girl had been stalking, and lowered his head apologetically. Sorry, I didn't realize you were on the hunt, he said truthfully.

Marble was old enough to leave the mountain alone. She was in no need of a chaperone, which is why she was not pleased to hear someone creep up from behind. Her head whipped towards the stranger, but her eyes did not stay on him for long. The screech of a seagull stole her attention (a grating sound) and she looked back just as it took to the sky.

The girl gasped before turning back to the man. It was bad enough he’d followed her here, now he’d gone on and ruined her study. Marble puffed out her chest, glared and huffed. She’d never been so angry in her life.

And he dare call this a hunt? How stupid. She rapidly shook her head. Stupid boy. Why are boys always so stupid?

She um... She was not impressed.
All she did was gasp and look at him. She gave him something like a death glare. Her eyes were a strange, clouded lavender. They were sharp on him. Taikon wasn't sure what to do. She huffed at him, and he stepped back as though he had discovered a rabid wolverine foaming at the mouth.
Evidently she did not like that the prince of nothing had ruined her little hunting expedition. He wasn't sure what to now since he had already apologized. The girl shook her head. Maybe she knew who he was. Maybe she knew he had questioned Wylla, and she was here to push him out too, despite her age.
Uuh... I really am sorry, he said, confused why she didn't answer him. He blinked.

Oh no, it’s far too late for apologies now. The bird was long gone by now and she doubted she’d be able to track it down again.

Well now that her plans were completely ruined, she saw no reason to stay around anymore. It’s a shame, she was really looking forward to this trip. It would’ve been perfect had it not been for this idiot. Was it too late to tell him off? Perhaps the day had yet to be completely ruined.

Marble stomped past him towards the mountain, stopped, and gestured towards it with her paw.

The girl was still miffed. She said nothing. Taikon wondered, suddenly, if she might be mute. He decided to assume this was so, and as she gestured toward the mountain, he blinked. Where before he was unsure, now, armed with this new assumption, he felt good. He shook his head slowly, offering her a quick, soft-eyed glance. He was not one about to be pushed around by a girl, regardless of who she might be.
I'm not going back up; I just got here, he said firmly. It was true. He had followed the path down for a reason, and he was not about to do whatever she wanted. He looked at her, shrugging. Look, if I bothered you that much, you can head up. But I am heading out to see the Grotto. You should come with, he explained, giving her a soft, wanting expression. He didn't really want to be alone during this little adventure. He also didn't feel great about leaving her alone here either, even though she was big enough to be probably okay.
Without waiting for an answer, he stepped forward. He stood straight, and looked back at her, waiting to see if she would tag along.

It’s a firm no from him. That made her scowl. She’d never been on the receiving end of stubbornness, but it’s already at the top of the list of things she hates.

Marble tried pointing again—she could be stubborn too— but it’s no use. The man was dead set on staying here, and nothing would change his mind. She’d wave the white flag this time.

And just to rub it in her face, he gave her an invitation to come along. How dense! Did he not understand that she wanted to be alone? The nerve. She glanced back at the mountain, a place she definitely didn’t want to go back to right now, then back at the stranger. She gave a reluctant nod. Walking around with him would be nothing but annoying, but she was determined to continue examining this place the best she could.

Spicy little nugget. She didn't even need to talk and he very much understood, at least partially, the message. Her scowl made it clear she didn't want whatever the hell he was doing. She didn't like his invitation. She pointed toward the mountain. He did not budge.
He wondered to himself if this little lady had gotten her way all this time just because she couldn't talk. She was a cute little girl. She was fast growing into her fluffy, awkward body. She had a feminine loveliness to her that was cute, but he knew would quickly grow ruthless if left unmanaged. He was a man. She couldn't make him to her bidding just yet.
Slowly and reluctantly, the girl gave a slight nod to his suggestion that he join her. He nodded slowly back. He was hardly a chaperone. He didn't even know whose kid this was.
Taikon walked on, and past the tall grasses where the young one's gull had been, something quite a bit grander presented itself. Herons walked the moist earth. They took off to the skies long before the two could get a really good look. Taikon continued, and as he did, he spotted what appeared to be a lake at the center of this odd, alpine place. Briefly, he glanced at his young charge. Herons, he said simply. More was ahead, but he waited for her to find it instead. He was not the leader in this escapade.

Marble kept to the man’s side. She even briefly took the lead every so often. The very thought of following this man, or anyone for that matter, irked her.

Up until this point, she had no idea who this stranger could be, but a quick sniff gave her a telling clue. He’s a wolf of the mountain, though she hadn’t seen him wandering around. To be fair, she wasn’t familiar with most of the Sagtannet inhabitants.

The two came across more unfamiliar birds. They were larger than the last, more lanky too. Marble’s eyes lit up, only to dull again as they flew away. Clearly the man was at fault yet again. She shot him another glare before continuing forward.

The girl was starting to believe that this was all in vain. Anything interesting they came across would just be scared off by this fool of a wolf. Perhaps joining him on this walk was a mistake. But there’s a glimmer of hope.

The trees began to clear and revealed a body of water. Nothing to be excited about, had it not been for the group of birds they came across earlier. “Herons,” he called them. Her eyes lit up once more as she crept forward to get a closer look.

As the young smoke puff crept forward, Taikon held back. He realized now that in fact, she had not been hunting when he had startled her. She was an observer. A dreamer.
He bent down into a crouched position, watching ahead of her at the birds that pecked at the fish in the lake. Soon enough, this lake would be frozen. The water did not run fast enough for it to avoid this freezing, unless for some reason its contents were brackish. The herons were diligent and slow in their progress, carefully picking out tiny minnows and swallowing them whole. At one end of the lake in the distance, ducks milled about and fascinated themselves with pond weeds.
After staying back for a time, the prince crept forward closer to her. He still maintained some distance from her, hoping that her bird watching might be enough for him to be forgiven for his previous offence.
His nose flared as he smelled the air around her, trying to figure out who she was. Vaguely, she smelled somewhat of Star. Perhaps the powder puff woman was a mother. Taikon did not ask, instead staying silent and enjoying the sounds and smells of the Grotto. Though the air was cold, the setting was pleasant. He wondered what it was like on a warm summer day. He hoped that this time, he might be with Sagtannet long enough to find out.

fade here?

These elegant creatures had each move meticulously planned. Dip, grab eat. Dip, grab, eat. The cycle repeats itself. Marble found great joy in watching them feed.

Now the ducks, her opinion of them is quite the opposite. They’re fowl she’d yet to see, and that’s where her interest in them ends. They’re quite loud, somewhat chaotic. Nothing like the graceful herons. There’s only so much of their quacking she could take.

When she was satisfied with her study, and the ducks were too much to bare, she stood up with a satisfied huff. Marble looked at the man again without a glare this time. He did lead them to the herons after all, so she supposed he’d redeemed himself in a way. She reluctantly huffed again to show her gratitude before turning away from the water.

Smokepuff seemed happy. Taikon couldn't see her expression. She was facing away from him. Her ears from far away however, they told some kind of a story as they turned and focused.
The birds. They held her interest for a long time. They lie in silence in this serene and beautiful place, each taking a break from the thrills of their life on the mountain. The birds did not know anything of the wolves on the brink of a war with no meaning. Whatever society the winged beasts had, it was far away from the corrupt, emotional lives of their predatory neighbours.
Taikon knew that he would have to do his own digging to figure out what was really going on. He did not trust the judgment of his leaders. He was not willing to blindly follow when everything around them seemed clouded.
The girl rose with a gentle huff, and as she did so did he. Once again, he was wordless, glancing at her and knowing that she was ready. Smokepuff turned from the water, and the prince of nothing followed her back to the peak. The break from disaster felt good and pleasant, but he knew that there was work to be done and none to do it but him.