Lion Head Mesa The harder you pull, the tighter the rope.

tink tink tink.

his dog tag bounced upon his collar, announcing his approach.

tink tink tink.

he was deep within the womb of the mesa, but it was not his destination. 

a creature his size, no matter what great beasts it was cousins with, needed be always aware of the dangers that could render it from proud canid to meal. thus, the flatlands of akashigo were off-limits to the neb, who had only the interior of the great redstone spire to explore. 

he'd been there before, a couple weeks back, and found the place cold (especially now, that he'd been rid of his sweater) and dull, but he had no intentions to remain there. just another turn or two, and he would head back up, to see what would be his lunch.

a scent caught his attention.

his nose pressed to the ground, gucci followed a thick trail. a fellahin had been there, either recently enough that it was a surprise the neb hadn't seen them, or often enough to leave a pungent mark.

the smell of the parent overpowered that of the puppies, and even two corners away from their nest, the chihuahua was unaware of their presence. 

tagging @Jawahir and @Tavina just in case