Chimera Fields BWP: TSS Tiny Cold Feet

This prompt: Glacial meltwater has created several vernal pools in the Teekon. @Kukutux, @Arrluk @Shikoba @Chiteo @Massaraq Any of the other pups too. I figured Ajei would have noticed it and then an adult accompanied her, whichever adult would like to play :D

Ajei woke and there was a difference in the air. She couldn't quite place it, but when she shifted closer to the borders, the wind that blew from that direction had a distinct edge to it. She whimpered and thought about going further to find it, because her curiosity despite her shyness was getting the best of her. So she went in search of one of the trusted adults she knew. One who probably had other pups in attendance with them and asked very timidly to go further down the mountain.

It wasn't easy for a pup of her size to make it and the others too. There were frequent breaks, but they finally made it as the midday sun fell across the day. Heating them and lighting their path. At first step to the Chimera fields it was just as it always was. Flowers in brilliant colors assailed their eyes and humming birds and bees flew lazily by. The flap of the hummingbirds wings so fast, it sounded as buzzy as the bees. A small smile lit up Ajei's face at the sight before her. And she moved to step forward when suddenly she sunk, and cold water rushed across her paws. 

She jumped back and sniffed at it. It smelled clean and fresh, different than the water in their home, and when she touched her nose to it, it was quite chilly.

Massaraq was lucky, he was already out and exploring when he happened upon the larger party and realizing that they were going beyond the borders he excitedly joined. He had never been beyond, but he was eager. While it had been impressed upon him that there were potential dangers outside of the protection of the packlands there was also a whole world out there. And it seemed as if all the adults had ventured forth to outside the borders at some point.

He bounded ahead, unwilling to admit he was tired but flopping down with the rest whenever a break was had. But excitement won out and he wanted to see the flowers and the wide expanse of fields. At the sight of the water his eyes widened and he bolted forward yelping at the coldness on his paws. But quickly he realized that it felt like a nice contrast to the summer heat and he darted through again this time raising a paw to splash at the closes compatriot.

silently, shikoba often followed her daughter around to make sure that she didn't find herself in any trouble. unlike her mother, Ajei would probably get kidnapped easily because she's a tad more friendly [but shy] than shikoba was at her age. often, shikoba's own mother poked fun of her and would say that the kidnapper would likely return because of her mouth!

it seemed like Ajei was finding her way in the world, and so her mother does her best to not intervene unless there is a good chance that someone could die. and seeing her little girl triumph through the path with her many breaks only brings a deep sense of pride within shikoba. and for a moment, the mother thought of daring forward when she saw Ajei stumble into the cold water. but she's glad she did not, for her little girl was getting tougher by the day!

perhaps she had Massaraq and the others to thank for this. so shikoba stays off to the side, trying to not spoil their fun but to simply keep an eye on them. eventually, she'd come to make her presence known, or just let Ajei work her little nose magic. either way, Shikoba remains content.

Her mama had agreed to follow her and Massaraq had joined as well. It was nice to have a puppy friend. She missed Chiteo and Arrluk too. She didn't know the other puppies as well yet. New sights and sounds would make her low and scurry back to her mama, but with whispered words of help and answer she'd run back to her puppy friend. Mostly mama simply let her be.

Massaraq was much braver than her as they walked. Gamboling and playing more than she. But she had a small smile on her face and it lit up the green of her eyes. She bounded back to her mother this time and smiled. Jumping up to lick her on the chin and bury her tiny face into her chest for a moment in delight and silent thanks for coming along. Then she scurried back to Massaraq, just in time for him to splash her.

She squealed and froze at first. Then giggled and splashed him back. The water icy and fresh. It chilled her and yet it felt so good on such a hot day.

Massaraq did not know Shikoba well, but her status as Ajei's mother, star hunter, adult, and friend of his anaa meant that he did not stray too far from her gaze as he darted about the landscape. Ajei's giggle assured him that she was having fun as well and the answering splash had him lowing her muzzle to the water in a play bow, the effect of his raspy growl offset by the windmilling of his tail in excitement.

Feinting to the side he pushed off the bottom of the shallow pool he lunged in the other direction, allowing the motion to kick water up with his hind paws as he fled. "Bet you can't catch me!" Challenge issued he began running in the shallows, looking behind to see if Ajei followed.

shikoba is spotted surely, perhaps there is more credit due for her growing daughter. after all, her and her brother are approaching another month of age. time certainly flies, shikoba remembers the day ajei and chiteo entered the world and could almost grow misty-eyed from the memory.

the children bark and growl and play, and there is an encouraging woof from shikoba towards ajei to prove herself and to try and best her cousin, if able. a proud sway in her tail for both children of the spine, sulfuric eyes burn only with love.

Ajei couldn't quite hide the adoration on her face. She adored the brothers of Kukutux. They were her fast friends. And they always took such good care of her. As did her own brother. It made her tiny heart happy. 

She was thrown in the face with pawfuls of icy water and it stole her breath for a moment. She had to take a moment to take a gulp of air and then she returned the small growl in kind. Though it sounded mean so she quieted it down and then she raced after him, though his legs were longer. So she sort of looked like she was bunny hopping to keep up. The water was cooler in the deeper parts, and near the shade.

Massaraq grinned and darted around when he saw Ajei hot on his heels. Though his longer legs meant that he was able to bound across even the portions of the shallows where they dipped slightly deeper Ajei still gave him a run for his money bounding in leaping strides after him. The chill of the water as he hopped in and out of shade sent pleasant shivers down his spine. And he occasionally moved to a different pool as he maneuvered his legs into turns here and there.

One pool had an unexpected dip in the bottom, not visible to the pup who was not paying attention and he took a tumble, somersaulting over himself in the water as he gasped for breath. Splayed out on his four legs after finally catching his footing he came to an unexpected brief halt.

skippable now to avoid causing you both to wait! <333

she lets them play, as rough as ajei will handle and as much as massaraq is willing to offer. the noise of the scattering water droplets brings about a serene sense within the mother. she would think of many things in this moment. her own youth, her children, her legacy, and her home, old and new. there is many things that shikoba has done wrong in her life. 

but looking upon her daughter, she knows that she at least did something right to become this lucky.

the tumble of moon woman's own causes her hypnosis to break and suddenly shikoba wonders how severe it may have been. she can be seen walking over and assessing for any injuries, and should the boy become spry, she would head back to watch from the sidelines. if not, then perhaps a closer eye and nose would be needed to search for any injuries and boo boos.

A yelp of surprise left Ajei and she rushed over to her friend. She looked up at her mama with anxious eyes and then back down to him.

 You okay Raq?

She lay a gentle paw across his head and soothed it down his ears, unsure what else to do. It didn't make much difference she didn't imagine as tiny as her paws were, but she hoped it helped a little.

Massaraq came to his legs quickly after that, finding his footing again and shooting a baleful glare at the offending dark patch that he could now identify. Seeing Ajei come up to him he have a little shake of his pelt, testing his legs again, not enough to drench her just enough to feel his pelt and shoulders again. "Y-yeah. Thanks Ajei." He gave a smile. Now that he felt better, maybe it would bruise later but he felt well then, he felt embarrassed.

Trying to recover he put on a wide smile poking her with his snout on her shoulder in turn. "Looks like you caught me. Now you better run." His eyes glinted, reflecting icy blue water almost perfectly.

He wasn't down long before he got back to his feet. Rising from the water like some sea beast. The spray from his fur misted over her red fur and slid to pol at her feet. A small giggle left her.

She saw his look of mischief as it glinted in those wide blue eyes of his and with a squeal of delight she bounded away.

Massaraq counted to five in his head before letting out a shout of his own and sprinting after her. The water splashed up around him and he could feel his fur getting heavy from it, but it was cool against the summer heat and it let him keep running, paws making out a path through the shallows.

Ajei felt his hot breath behind her. It hadn't taken him long to catch her at all. There was a smile on her face and laughter in the air. Occasionally when he caught her a gentle squeal and she splash him with the water to get away. Soon though the water was too cold for her, and her tiny teeth started chattering. She was disappointed that she was the reason they would need to stop playing, but her mama had always told her to pay attention to her body. And right now it was cold.

Massaraq ran after Ajei gleefully, tagging her and then re-engaging on the chase. He felt his limbs begin to get heavy and saw Ajei's teeth chattering. When she stopped he also slowed down looking about. Where the ground was dryer the sun still shone strongly enough to create warm patches of earth and he flopped down with a sigh. Yawning widely he set his head down. "It's warm over here." A part of him wanted to continue to play, but his anaa told him that he could always play more when he got up and the warmth of the sun and sluggishness in his muscles was a great inducement of sleep.

She followed him and flopped close to him. She hesitated a minute, but then lay her head along his spine. Like she would do when her an chiteo rested.

I hhhad ffun, Raq. she whisper chattered to him.

She yawned once and then twice. The warm rays of sun curling into the red of her fur and warming her quickly. Add in his body heat and she was gonna fall asleep soon.

Massaraq smiled, even in the sun the warmth of another next to him was welcome. He had fond memories of he and his brothers and sister all piled on top of one another as they napped and played. "Me too." Feeling the movement of her jaw a yawn of his own escaped him and he settled down slowly drifting off into sleep. Maybe when he awoke he would be energized for the journey back.