Swiftcurrent Creek Pin Pricks

@Suzu @Caliste @Saturin @Shark Partially running from the checker, but there's also some milestones to catch up on if I've tracked correctly! <3 I know I've spoken with some of you about threads with Leonore so I thought I would set this up if any of you would like to jump in! :)

Lately it seemed to be that if Leonore was not sleeping or whining relentlessly, she was experimenting. Milk teeth growing into her gummy mouth and little legs beginning to gain strength, there was plenty for her to discover - she seemed to think so at least.

Today she was occupied with the latter of her recent findings; toddling about and finding her rhythm. Never straying far it seemed to be keeping her busy; quiet too.

As the children grew, Suzu found herself reach and pass milestones as well. The ability to sit without wincing was one of them, and a welcome relief. The ability to cough without peeing a little...Well, she still looked forward to the day when/if that was ever a thing again. The pups grew milk teeth- so her nipples became raw and chapped. The pups became more mobile- so she became incapable of being sedentary. 

Still- her children, all four of them, filled her with a love so profound, that she committed herself fully to them and vowed to herself that she would suffer any cost so that they could grow up healthy and loved. 

Little Leonore was at times hard to keep an eye on- just when things finally seemed primed for a bit of relaxation, she realized that Leonore was being quiet and therefore, she needed to lay an eye on her. She caught sight of the young girl, meandering about, but worried she might stray farther if she'd not been alert. "Barra-barra-barracuda," She sung out with a slight chuckle.

Ears perking her head soon turned to spot the source of the call. Her expression was nearly always spoiled by a furrowed brow, yet it seemed to disappear anytime she looked at her mother as though she was saving every bit of her love for her. Her now wagging tail seemed to make her whole body wiggle.

Letting out a squeaky bark she began to make her way back towards Suzu, glancing down at her own legs every so often as if to say 'look maman! Look what I can do!'

Suzu giggled; squeaky bark was her favourite kind of bark. The pups almost always greeted her with some kind of bark- whether it was a sweet bark, a mellow bark, and occasionally an extra spicy bark. For bark, she was now their most regular, and satisfied customer. 

Leonore’s legs had begun to grow, and Suzu knew it would not be long until the girl could bound about as spry as a little mountain goat. ”You be growin’ so big, Leonore,” She said, with a smile. ”Let me see ‘ow tall you are- be you dis tall yet?” She said, hovering her foot at about nose level for the pup. ”Nope, you be taller den dat. ‘Dis tall mebbe?” She asked, bringing it up to forehead level. ”Maybe yesterday, but not today. Today, you be…..Dis tall!” 

She said, lifting her paw up about an inch above Leonore’s head, and pulling it back so Leonore could see for herself how much she’d been growing.

Appearing to be quite pleased with herself, she hopped off her front legs to bump her head into Suzu's paw. Yes, she had grown quite a bit she now realized - she was able to reach so much more these days! Nothing of use just yet, but growing quick as a beanstalk she would be there in a few months.

The puppy had begun to put on some weight as well - the showings of a pudgy belly expected of a wolf her age appearing. Her almost competitive attitude towards meals must be paying off - maybe she would catch up to her siblings height-wise over time too.

But for now she would remain small enough to be held close and cherished.

She kept her paw as soft as she could when her daughter booped her head against her paw pad, flexing her digits so her claws wouldn’t nick the girl’s ears. Once she settled back onto the ground, Suzu gently ruffled the short fur between her girl’s ears. 

No matter ‘ow you grow, Leonore, you will always be beautiful. She said in a kindly voice. Now- show your Maman your voice, hmm? Let’s ‘ear you ‘owl. Like ‘dis, ah? She said, before she tilted her head back, and issued a short, but melodic howl.

Ah, her voice - that was certainly something she was excited to show off. Head tilting back she let out her best howl; high-pitched and somewhat tone deaf as of now, but that would change with age.

Nonetheless she seemed to be quite happy with her howl. It was easy to assume that it would be heard much more often from now on, whether those around her liked it or not.

But then again, practice does make perfect: it was sure to improve.

High pitched, wavering, shrill- whatever it was that a passerby might hear was not at all what Suzu heard. In her ears, it sounded like the sweet tones of a piper- showing only promise that her voice would ring out someday, and cause chills to run down the spine of all who heard her. 

"Ohhhh, good girl, Leo!" She said. "Again, sing wid your Mama- take a deeeep breat' an let it all go-" She said, before she filled her chest with air, and this time, she hurled her voice into the atmosphere, feeling the tones vibrate within her chest and leave as a steady, warm breath filled with song.

Taking a breath she gave it her best shot, attempting to match Suzu's volume this time. Tapping her feet and wagging her tail, Leonore was clearly enjoying herself. A little songstress she had decided she would be!

A clear love for her own voice, she was bound to build confidence over time; the trait of a leader! A little leader, in this case - but she certainly had the personality for such a path. It is a bit early to consider such things, of course.

It is hard to imagine Leonore without her voice; something so notable was sure to remain for a long time.

Her daughter had a beautiful voice! And such joy emanated from her, too, when she sang. It inspired Suzu to see her young daughter so happy and carefree- just the way that she wanted her children to be. She often sang to her babes with lullabies that came from her own youth- but in seeing the glee in her daughter's voice, she was moved to sing something that came from (the) Heart.

"Smile like de sun, kisses for eeeeveryone-
an' tails, it never fails," 

She grinned.

I realized we're a few days past the first words milestone so I'll sprinkle that in here, feels like a good time <3

Giggling and tap-tapping her feet Leonore squealed out "Maman!" As though an embarrassed child, though her grin said that she must not mind the singing.

Stepping forward to nuzzle into Suzu's chest fur she laid back down, appearing to finally be setting.

She choked on her words when her silverling daughter spoke to her, using not the name that had been given to at her own birth, but the name she had inherited by giving birth. Maman. She pulled the little girl close to her chest and rocked her in her limbs, nuzzling her muzzle into the pup's velveteen fur. 

Forever and always, She said. 

And she began to understand her own mother just a little bit more.