Redhawk Caldera Make me a bicycle, clown

When Finley joined her, Wildfire giggled, warm golden eyes glued to her aunt's own forepaws as she sloshed around in the mud. Her splashes were bigger than the pup's, so Wildfire tried to make hers bigger by flailing her forelimbs harder. It worked. The situation quickly escalated out of control as the child apparently went mad and started kicking and splashing with all her might. The sound of squelching mud was sprinkled with little bursts of girlish laughter.

All the commotion drew Peregrine back out of the den again. "Whoa," he said, stopping as he got an eyeful of the muddy duo. "You do know that bathing falls under the godmother's list of responsibilities, right?" he asked in a deadpan voice, lifting his leg clear when his daughter suddenly turned and hopped toward him. "Who are you, mud bug, and what have you done with Wildfire?" he said to her, pretending to be scared of her.

Wildfire found this absolutely delightful of course. As the Alpha male continued to prance, keeping his legs always just out of reach, she happily gave chase. She never gave up hope that she could catch him, at least until she became winded and sank to her haunches with a giggled sigh. Only then did Peregrine touch her, throwing caution to the wind as he slung his belly to the earth and clutched his child close. He hugged her tight, smearing his black fur with muck.

"I think I'd better get her cleaned up, then it's lunch- and nap-time. You're welcome to come inside and see the others if you like?" Peregrine invited, rising slowly onto all fours again. He gave Wildfire a nudge and the sludge-slathered puppy made to follow, though she lingered, staring at her Aunt Finley. It was obvious she was tired, yet it was plain as day that she was reluctant to leave her playmate.