Bearclaw Valley don't let the ever rolling motion go and get you down

 if his siblings had gone he was unaware-- it was his mother's presence, or lack thereof, that stirred concern in the childs chest. where was she? was she returning? the weather was warm but he was cold, and marten was hungry. he did not understand. he could not vocalize these thoughts, these concerns-- not intelligently. so marten merely whimpered in place, vision still hazy and footing still clumsy, as he waited his mothers return. 

except... this was not his mother.

"gawwaaw," came the baby-babble of nonsense as the young, pale pup tumbled forward. following it came whines and cries of confusion and fear. he knew this was not his mother-- but so who was this? his noises demanded an answer, though perhaps she wouldn't understand. maybe she would be taking him to his mother. perhaps that was it? it had to be it.