Nova Peak before i tumble homeward.

Whittier responded with sloth-like movements and unimpressed noises. Bazi responded with sounds of her own - a low, warning growl in the vicinity of her son's ear. If he didn't shape up, literally, the wild would consume him. Not many weeks from now, the pups would be taken to a rendezvous site and expected to navigate a microcosm of the world on their own - sometimes without adult supervision. Bazi trusted none of them not to make mistakes, but she was genuinely worried for Whittier's survival. So far, he had shown very little interest in anything except sleeping or eating.

With a quick look at her other children, Bazi got to her feet and made for the exit, seizing Whittier by the scruff of her neck as she went. Outside, the sun warmed the ground in scattered fractals. The Alpha set her little potato down between two raised roots, away from the light, and sat back to see what he would do. If he fell asleep, she would dunk him in the river.