Sawtooth Spire Why So Serious

When the moment he had been waiting for finally came, Aariak was unlucky enough to be far away from the Alphas' den. It took him long enough to get there as to be the last one to show up, and when he did all of the others were already interacting with the pups.

Well... Kind of...

Nanuk looked awakwardly terrorized as a brown -and probably the largest pup Aariak had ever seen- growled at her. Then the same pup attacked Echelon's heels, and she did not seem softened either. He knew that they were both tough females, but it did't occur to him that neither Nanuk nor Echelon would be excited to see their sister's first brood. Did they not have a maternal instinct? Could it be awakened somehow? That was a mistery he would have to solve another day. His real job was just about to start.

Aariak's tail was merely moving as he made his way across the females. He greeted everyone with a nod to each and then sat close to the group to review the pups. First he counted, and noticed that one was missing. He turned his head to look at the den hoping to - and effectively finding the fourth cub still in the shadows.

Was it fear? He would find out soon.

Looking back at the three brave that made it out into the light, Aariak observed their actions more closely. First he looked at the darkest of them. Sitting idly next to his mother. He looked overwhelmed by the outside, and Aariak didn't blame him for that. There would be plenty of time to get used to the huge world, and there would be no fear in the pups, not when Aariak was done with them.

Aariak watched too how the one with pelt set ablaze like his father interacted with Kapvik. Even from his position Aariak could tell that he had been rolling in rabbitt dung. 'An adventurer' thought Aariak. And then, moving to the last one, the caretaker could tell that he would be a force to be reckoned with. He had the Tartok fire, and it burned bright in his pitchy gurgling snarls.

This would surely be an interesting bunch to deal with.