Wheeling Gull Isle all I want to say

backdated to the 16th. kids come meet ur dad (well... some of you) @Mal @Luli @Xiaoqing @Haoming maybe wait for mal b4 joining <3

 

Mal had followed her inland, into the dense forest and soon reaching the humble tunnel into the ground that created her den. Huā dismissed @Daiyu now that her children could be watched by their mother again- and slipped into the den, poking her head out to gaze at Mal. You can come in. She murmured, before submerging herself below once again. The den was not huge, but big enough for two adults to stand in. A couple of Huā's children slept- and she was hesitant to awake them purposefully, and so would leave them untouched, and see if they would awaken themselves.

Going into another pack's territory was... Weird and kind of a whole different type of anxiety -- so there were to kind of vying for top billing within him. So far, excitement was winning out but he was at least glad they were walking because he'd probably be wiggling about in place. But hey, at least nobody flew outta nowhere and tackled him. That was a good sign at least.

But Hua went in first, he lingered behind, wondering if four fuzzballs were gonna come barging out. Not yet, apparently, but she returned to summon him and he was hot on her heels. Okay! Naw, totally not excited at all. Mal entered the den and came up to Hua's side, a warm smile on his face, tail wagging behind him. He looked to the pups, to Hua, then back to the pups, wanting to dive forward and meet all of them but not wanting to offend Hua somehow again because she might do things different. Mal wanted her to like him, after all, so his attention dragged back to her, looking for an introduction or permission to go be enthusiastic or something -- and not 100% wanting to wake those that might be dozing. But still -- kids!

Unfortunately for all parties involved, Haoming was not one of the slumbering children. The dappled girl looked up with bleary blue eyes as her mother approached, and was just about to be happy to see her - because milk was great and she had it! - when he came in.

Wait a sec. There were other big shapes unlike her mother?

Haoming did not like that

A high pitched, warbling growl escaped her and her shoulders tensed, what was meant to be a frightening glare (but was really just her tiny face all scrunched up) turned toward this strange man. Every now and then she would look back up at her mother - it was she who brought the stranger here after all.

nüwu slept until noise and the seventh sense awoke her. she blinked tired eyes open, which suddenly grew round when she realized her mother had brought someone. was it another babysitter? but as nüwu watched, her mother remained, and she realized something else was in order. while haoming detested the presence of the new wolf, nüwu came forward hesitantly, curious of this stranger. quiet, she stretched out her neck once she got close enough, sniffing carefully at his paws. she gained little notable information, and so pulled back, gazing up at him with wide blues as if he would have something to entertain her.

Slumber was a regular thing for the boy, that and nursing his two favourite activities. Dozing peacefully, he was none the wiser when his mother returned home and even less aware of the stranger at her heels. All he knew were the fantastical images that danced behind closed eyes, stories spun and wonders living boldly within his mind—that is, until the commotion caused by one of his sisters woke him up.

Startled awake by the growling, Xiaoqing blinked several times whilst trying to focus on where the noise was coming from. His gaze never quite reached Haoming, however, drifting off first to the Milk Giver and then the stranger at her side. A deep, instinctual feeling overcame him at the sight of another, silencing the boy as he tried to appear as small—and invisible—as he possibly could. No way was something eating him today.

The return of her mother was met with much excitement. Having recently found the strength to pull herself upright, Luli put every effort to gather on wobbly limbs to waddle adorably forward, scruffy tail wiggling at her rear as she emitted happy little mewlings.

The joy was drawn from her at once, however, as another apoeared from beyond the threshold of their family burrow. The tiny seadragon blinked up at this stranger, who was much larger than her dam and regular baby-sitter, and the dappled youngster whimpered softly in confusion. She wasn't really sure how to feel about this intrusion, but her provider did not seem phased by his presence.

Still, she could sense Haoming's hostility and Xiaoqing's fear, and she fed off their negative response with one of her own. Luli sought the comfort of the puppy closest to her: big brother. Made timid, she stumbled to him so that she could press her dappled flank to his side for reassurance, denim gaze watchful on the adults.

One by one, the children shuffled awake, or noticed the intruder in the den. 

Haoming made some infatile noise of distaste as her face scrunched up. It shouldn't have been amusing, but it was- Haoming, afraid of her own father! Blue eyes found Huā, who did not want to coddle her and tell her she would never have to face strangers- for she would- but she leaned in and offered a lap between the ears of the fitful girl. 

Nüwu came forward and nearly touched Mal's paws with her snout, while Xiaoqing seemed to shrivel into himself at the sight of the stranger. The poor firstborn- Huā cooed softly to him, hoping to coax him out of his shell. She was not sure if Mal was his father or not, but they would be raised as if he was... she did not know Dacio in the way she knew Mal, and was not sure it was worth contacting him. 

Luli seemed happy to see mom, but was influenced by the general atmosphere too, and leaned into little Xiaoqing. Ah, Mal, look what you done, She teased him with a smile, before pacing over to the huddled two. 小青，露丽，没关系。 不要害怕。 She cooed in hushed tones, nudging each of them very gently with her snout.

Oh that was a great sign, the one girl growling, two sort of huddling together, only one at all curious about him. Mal wished Hua hadn't stepped away, because he totally would have probably nudged her a little, but now he had one of his children coming up to his paws, so he wasn't going to go following after. He did scoff playfully to her though, My doing? You haven't told them how obviously awesome I am, have you? He was all smiles though, just glad to be able to come here and meet them all.

He crouched down then, leaving himself in sort of a not-quite-play-bow pose, trying to get on Nuwu's level. Behind him, his tail wagged broadly, Hey, are you Nuwu? Not that he necessarily expected a coherent response of any kind, but he wasn't gonna talk down to a pup or otherwise make assumptions they might not understand -- they might understand a little, after all!

Nuwu was touching the stranger's foot! Haoming's eyes widened and her fur bristled, anger bubbling in her belly. She stomped over and huffed out a sharp noise, attempting to bite her father's foot. He couldn't touch her siblings - it wasn't allowed. 

How dare. This was the worst thing ever. A total stranger, invading their space, and was way too big for Haoming to fight. What was their mother thinking?

considering huā had spoken her native language around her children, mal's words weren't remotely familiar. not even in a distant way like an old song you heard once- they were new, and strange, and somehow blunter. the only part she understood- nu..wu, she mumbled quietly to herself in imitation, though her gaze failed to meet his as he bent down to her level. she was distracted staring at his toes- bigger than her own- until her sister invaded her space in her own way, trying to bite at the very thing which nüwu observed curiously. the child paid her sibling an uncomfortable glance, but ultimately shifted awkwardly aside, feeling her own place in the developing hierarchy was not enough for her to push an agenda.

I dunno if we are posting in order or rounds here, so I apologise if I've done so out of turn!

She whimpered softly again, unsure of how she felt about a stranger being so close. His unfamiliar scent hung heavy in the air, disrupting all sense of calm.

Conflicted by Nüwu's venture forward with curiosity and Haoming's move to nip at their visitor's heels, Luli trembled at her brother's side. Big blue eyes sought her mother, who stepped closer to offer comfort and reassuring words. Her gesture was a welcome one, enough to encourage her to settle a little, though the koi had no intention of approaching to better investigate. She was fine with staying put, unable to share her sisters' bravery.

When the smallest of his sisters huddled up against him, something else seemed to take over: the need to protect her. Xiaoqing leaned into Luli, inching forward just enough to put himself between her and the stranger, whose gaze the child’s own would not break away from. Every strand of fur on his little body seemed to stand on edge, now attempting to appear larger, as if that might frighten the threat enough to make him leave. Even when the Milk Giver approached, a gentle nudge offered, the boy did not ease up; he remained tense and as alert as a puppy his age could be, trembling with an unwavering stare.

no worries about post order, rounds is p much fine 
are yall okay with wrapping this after 1 more post from everyone? I know not a lot happened but it's getting pretty old ^^

Huā simply laughed at Mal's words, watching on as the children reacted differently to him. When Mal asked after the name of the curious daughter, Huā hummed an affirmation, pointing to each with her muzzle one by one- Nüwu, Haoming- who was now coming to bite at Mal's poor feet- Xiaoqing, and Luli. The final two still huddled- Luli settling slightly, but Xiaoqing only moving a little forward if anything. None were too friendly, and Huā chuckled, shaking her head down at them. They so shy... sorry. Maybe next time they see you, they will be more confident... She mused, turning her gaze back to Mal then.

Yeah, it wasn't the way he was expecting things to go. But then again, did things ever turn out that way? Probably not. He'd be able to come back and see them, though, and they'd learn he was awesome. He hoped.

Maybe at least he could win over Nuwu -- oh no wait, nope. There was Haoming shoving her way forward to bite his toes. Now, ok, he'd been chomped quite a few times by now most likely, but teeth still hurt, and ended up slightly moving back that paw maybe half an inch, --Hey! C'mon. You gotta be nice. Definitely a bit of Dad Voice in that one. But she was still little, and if she didn't understand in the first place that wouldn't help. Then to Hua, with a playful mock whine, Am I going to need you to rescue me? Oh, whatever did I do?!

Xiaoqing, who initially huddled in close to his fearful sister, had a sudden change in demeanor. In an odd turn of events, the pointed boy seemed to have developed an unexpected surge of confidence. He scooted forward, just enough to place himself directly in Luli's line of sight, but the koi did not realise that he did so in defence of her.

Baby blue eyes blinked closed and, still eager for the comfort of contact, the tiniest of Huā's seadragons leaned in close to bury her face among the downy, sandy hues of Xiaoqing's pelage. That was where she would stay either until her littermate stepped away, or until the den's intruder took his leave.

nuwü only watched in horror as haoming made the stranger lift a paw and whine. though in that moment, she thought the girl must be very strong, if she could scare an adult so. though the sandy daughter didn't mind getting to know this man, it seemed today her observation would be blocked by the little seagull- and so she reluctantly trudged to luli, settling at her side and leaning slightly against her if allowed.

wrapping/fading!

It made Huā happy to see Mal play the oart of dad- as he deserved- though she had no idea the feelings of discomfort this experience would bring him later. His children didn't know him... and all she wanted was for the both of them, the kids and their father, to know and love eachother. When he playfully whined of rescue, she laughed a giggle like music, finally leaning forward to snatch little Haoming up by the nape- placing her between her black paws and wrapping a tail around. The puppies and their father would bond (somewhat awkwardly) for some more time, but eventually they met the bitter farewell of the evening, and Huā had to say goodbye to Mal once more.