Redhawk Caldera Once upon a time

He understood her silent message and turned, leading the way into the underbrush just beyond the log. Wildfire followed him, sticking close to Elwood's heels. The brushwood was no big deal for him—it brushed no higher than mid-leg—but it was slightly more of an obstacle for the cub. Actually, it wasn't so much challenging her as... tickling her. The hoof nearly popped out of her mouth several times as the soft scrub swiped across her faded underbelly, forcing her to snicker and snort.

When the Beta's paw dropped down and he backpedaled, the distracted Wildfire bumped gently into her uncle's hind legs. Eager to escape the ticklish underbrush, she slunk between his hind legs, emerging between the front two a second later. She peered at the dried creek bed, humming around the object in her mouth. Slowly, she set it down, golden eyes scanning the ground. The baked earth was cracked in several places and there were little indents, which the young pup did not immediately recognize as prints.

Slithering forward, she pressed her nose into one shallow depression. Wildfire snuffled, then lifted her head and glanced at Elwood. "Ossa?" she wondered, her go-to word for What's that? As she awaited his answer, she dragged her soft little paws across the hard, scuffed earth. It felt pleasantly scratchy against the leathery pads on her feet. It was definitely a new texture to her.