Redtail Rise All Fired Up

Light rain pattered the ground as Masquerade strode toward the den where the Saturdays lived with their parents. The Caru shook out their ruff, the slain rabbit in their jaws jerking with the movement. Blood splattered in the wet grass. They hastened their step a little, hoping to deliver the kill while it was still hot and fresh.

When they approached the den’s mouth, they dropped the carcass and woofed. Masque wondered how much longer Sunrise and Sunset would live at this den. It would be nice to have them at the rendezvous site, where the Caru could log plenty of hours mastering their sitter skills.

ATTN: @Saturdays Sunrise & @Saturdays Sunset

This song title felt appropriate! ;)

The spirit and the cub grew together as one.

What is that? The cub asked.

Light! the spirit laughed. Do you see our mother?

Mother, the sunset child reflected fondly as her baby blue eyes looked upon New Snow for the first time.

What am I feeling? The cub wondered.

Love, the spirit replied.

Then, the days changed. A wren warbled her spring song outside.

What is that? the cub asked.

Sound, the spirit cooed. Music!

I like it, the cub giggled.

Time passed in the blink of an eye. April turned to May and May turned to June. The forest’s spring blooms were overtaken by the verdant green of summer. Saturdays Sunset acted more reserved than her rambunctious sister, who took on the world with zeal.

As the baby turned into a child, she found the spirit’s voice became quiet. Like a falling feather.

Today, a visitor. A light rain amplified the smell of blood before the Rise’s Caru made her appearance. Hungry, Saturday’s Sunset hurried forth but ceased at the den’s entrance, perplexed by the feeling of falling water on her nose.

there was rain.

Sunrise liked the rain. it reminded her of many things, though her ability to recall was still limited to a certain degree. But rain felt nice on her; it reminded her of kisses from New Snow and even snuggles with Sunset, despite the cooling touch of water against her coat. it was perhaps a backward statement, but it made sense to Sunrise. perhaps that was all that mattered.

She was quick to join her sister at the edge of the den when she smelled Caru and blood. she noses her sister, softer than normal, perhaps due to the calm nature of the weather. Sunrise was becoming more aware that the environment that surrounded her played a large part in how she felt.

breaking the silence, she yaps out an excited 'hello!' to her wine-stained friend with a wagging tail behind her, probably accidentally smacking Sunset by accident.

Both girls appeared in the doorway to greet them. Masquerade grinned and dipped forward, shoving the kill ahead of them as they slid into their usual sphinx pose at the threshold. Their long tail swept the wet grass behind them mindlessly as they nosed the limp rabbit toward the pups.

They couldn’t remember if pups this age could handle meat, so Masque pinned the carcass with their left forepaw and tore at it until its viscera spilled into the dirt. All those soft bits and pieces soaked in blood should be easier for the Saturdays to sample, though Masque tore off a hunk of the rabbit’s flank to chew into a pulp for them.

The rain splattered their back, wetting their pale fur into a steelier shade of gray. Masque paid no attention, easing their weight onto their left elbow as they finished noshing the flesh and deposited a mouthful of meat slurry beside the rest of the rabbit’s remains.

This is the last post for me before I head out on vacation! Please continue to PP SS :-)

The pair of pale twins, Sunrise and Sunset, greeted Masquerade with a chorus of yaps and whines befitting two hungry puppies. One was never far from the other, despite their different personalities, and so Sunset was happy at the gentle camaraderie of her sister. Well… gentle, for a time.

Sunrise’s exuberant tail managed to land a few hits, which made Sunset giggle and throw her paws over her sister’s back in a playful way as they jockeyed for attention and fresh food. Then, as the Caru worked on creating baby food, the white pup began to inspect the kill, fascinated by it.

The rain was almost forgotten as Saturday’s Sunset smelled rabbit for the first time. Suddenly she pounced and grabbed one of the ears! Immediately she began to tug on it, thrilled to play instead of eat.

Sunrise was certainly a little more rough around the edges than her careful sister, but perhaps that is what made them go so well with each other. it was all a balancing act, and together they were the perfect combination of sugar and spice.

and while she did feel her stomach growl at such a sight, there was apprehension within Sunrise, an unusual case. considering her last dance with meat ended in a choke, she was certainly worried about the same thing happening again. 

and with almost a cowardly whine, Sunrise comes to sit in front of the meat before even trying to touch it while her sister enjoys the newest chew toy. looking up to the Caru and trying to touch her paw to her throat, Sunrise rumbles out a primal admittance of her fear.

"i choke before. i afraid."

Sunset busied herself with gnawing on the rabbit’s ears, earning an amused glance from the Caru before their eyes shifted to Sunrise. She let out a plaintive whine, a paw fluttering at her throat. Masque’s brow furrowed and they tilted their head, trying to understand what was the matter.

It’s good, they encouraged, pointing their nose at the small pile of pre-chewed meat, dipping their tongue into it. See? Masque said, making enthusiastic noises even though the texture didn’t suit them as a grown wolf. Why don’t you try it? I think you’ll like it.

Sunrise's discomfort is certainly noted by the Caru, and her shifting eyes remained locked on their figure as they attempt to show that everything is all right in the world for eating. though she has little faith in herself, Sunrise has plenty for Masque and decides to try it again.

her bite is tiny, the way New Snow intended it to be the first time meat was introduced, and now Sunrise is chewing, chewing, chewing. at this point, the meat has been so heavily worked on that it is practically offensive to the poor rabbit that is slain before her to have ended up as sustenance for a meager puppy.

for a moment her eyes grow wide because she fears that it may not slide down, though she comes to shut them tightly as she swallows. and thankfully, nothing comes from it as the food goes down easily and Sunrise cracks an eye open, as if to say "is it over?"

she peeks over at Masque and then her sister, and suddenly her tail is whirring rapidly behind her like a helicopter blade. another big milestone in her life, learning to get over her fear, even if they are small and insignificant. growing, certainly, and still learning to navigate all that the rise has to offer, Sunrise comes as a mighty tornado of joy to the Caru, spinning and yapping and aiming for little blep-like kisses on their muzzle and nose.

Masquerade lifted their chin, proud of Sunrise for her courage and glad to have been part of the process. Her cool, damp nose prodded at their whiskered jaw, prompting Masque to thump their tail and mouth gently at the pup’s own muzzle.

Well done. Now, eat as much as you can. The meat nourishes you and helps you grow, the Caru purled.

They pushed upright, into a seated position, and shook their body free of clinging raindrops. Normally they might’ve lingered a while, yet Masque didn’t want to expose the pups or themself to this weather much longer. They scooted the rest of the remains a little closer to the den’s mouth.

Will you do as I say? they asked Sunrise, marigold eyes lingering on her face before flicking to Sunset. You too. I’ll be back soon with more.

And then they turned, snorting out a breath as they trotted away across the rainy rise.

there is praise, perhaps there is an innate drive in sunrise to hear it more.

someday she may be on the hunt for glory to satisfy this new hunger. and she watches her mentor push the remains towards the den opening to ensure they stay out of the rain. sunrise follows without a problem, coming to bop her sister on the shoulder with her nose to ensure she comes as well. however, there is little reason to worry for sunset, considering she is the more mellow of the sisters.

so, the child sits herself down, taking small bits again and mashing them with her might as she watches the caru up and leave. a small, wavering warble of a whine. a hope that her return is swift! but until then, she eats what she can force herself to work with, casting a gaze to sunset here and there.