Phoenix Maplewood will rise up

She squirmed in the dirt, quick to find her paws, though her tumble had drawn Dad's attention. The girl shook her pelt roughly and shot the offending pumpkin a sharp glare, before lifting her muzzle to observe Wintersbane's approach. She let her tail hang limp at her rear, as much submission as her father would receive, and twitched her ears forward to catch his words of concern.

The only thing hurt had been her pride but, as Wayfarer parted her jaws to assure him of that, another child invited herself onto the scene. She swung her crown in the direction of a dark-furred cub - ugh, Makatza - as she demanded all of the Alpha's attention.

Which she was sure to receive, of course. Wayfarer was in no mood to argue or fight for a parent's affection, however, so she did not let her stare linger for long. She withdrew herself from the scene while the Tundrian answered his more favoured daughter's curiosities, and the lesser one slunk away with the sour taste of neglect on her tongue.