Moonspear kangaa ☖

kukutux would remember this as a day tasting of honey, with only a mild grief bittering the edge of the moment. she called to @Saviguk with a low chuff, stepping back as she stared toward the neat ulaq that had been her home since she had come to moonspear. in this place she had brought her children to the side of earth; here she had suckled them, reared them, taught them.

the snowduck squared her shoulders, sighed. it had become too small now, for the four of them. she cast her gaze around for @Jarilo, always buoyed by the presence of her observant, quiet husband. and now to @Sialuk the young mother moved, seeking to kiss both her children sweetly before she looked a last time at the den, and then set off on a thin path that led away and up the mountain.

birds called their melodies down toward the traveling wolves; here and there she stopped to teach the cubs one name or another, but as the treeline thinned, kukutux grew thoughtful. the gamma led her little clan to the spill of wildflower-studded grasses, a small plain that spread warmly between stands of pine, trailing into deeper forest beyond. 

nosing the light-dark pair, encouraging them to dash out into the fragrant blossoms, kukutux blinked toward jarilo, wondering what he would make of her silent suggestion.

Today felt special somehow. Sialuk was certain something was up with the way her mother moved, the way she looked at the den. The little raindrop wasn't sure where they were going or why this was a special occasion, but she liked it either way. It felt as though electricity was in the air, and all she had to do was lap it up.

The family moved upward until the world opened up into a large (to Sia), open field. It was covered from edge to edge with yellow blossoms, which Sialuk was immediately drawn to, sticking her nose in one and sneezing at it. The silver girl then shoulder-bumped her brother before running a few paces and throwing herself to the ground to roll around in this new, wonderful place.

Jarilo had been watching over the scene, soaking it in, and memorizing its finest details through a thinly-veiled relaxation. The day was warm, picturesque, well in line with the summer that had settled peacefully on the slopes--for the most part. There were no complaints, but, he knew what was due and distantly, remembered when his own younger siblings had reached a similar milestone. His own litter's trek beyond the den was far too hazy to recount for himself, but his older sister's might only remind him of the tribulations his ill-fated sister had seen about then...

Nevertheless, he knew it was as good a time as any and the growing pair needed some increased range. He trusted that the two could benefit from it, along with the increased exposure to the rest of the pack as well--most notably, their cousins. Largely, he was in good spirits about the transition for them, and came drifting closer to the den's doorstep when he saw Kukutux begin to rally them. Then, once they were in motion, he fell into step at the rear of the line, just in case such a vantage may be necessary--though he sincerely doubted either pup would need a lot of convincing to go where their mother led. His gaze wandered from cub to cub, watching as they traversed the path onto the mountainside, well on their way to the rendezvous.

Dotted in flowers, and quiet too for now, he moved up alongside Kukutux with a low, fond rumble. Mostly, he still focused on the pups as she sent them on. He wanted them to be acquainted with the space before introducing other, more unfamiliar sorts. That would come soon enough, with plenty of lessons on how to be safest here, and elsewhere too--but one thing at a time. Consider this home base now.. and there's lots more to do and see here, his tail waved happily along with the encouragement on his words, for he was not about to hold them back.

It was about then that he blinked to the whole realization while Sia rolled merrily in the flowers. How far they had come already, from the tiny little sprouts they had been. Though he still worried for them, and what could they all still could face (which was natural, he thought, for a first time venture).. yet this was something. He was feeling sentimental, he supposed, and nosed his wife's shoulder softly to regroup, lingering close.

From the very moment his parents gathered him and Sia up, taking them on a mysterious journey, Saviguk could feel something different in the air. Silently, he cast his eyes skyward, as if in a moment of deep contemplation, trying to unwrap this new puzzle. Day by day, he was growing into a perceptive young man. A deep thinker for his age.

He all but burst ahead out in front of Jarilo and Kukutux, racing alongside his voiceless sister. Eyes wide in amazement at the sheer vastness of openness that surrounded them. Blasted with a sea of yellow petals. Jolting to a halt, he stood stiff legged to take the marvelous sight all in, sending his parents back a quirky little grin. Sia had since raced on ahead to immerse herself and she would not be forgotten. Diving after her, he plunged in amongst the flowers, sunny petals flying loose to rain down and dot his coat.

kukutux was content to lean against her husband, slim muzzle lifting to kiss behind his ear, as sialuk took the lead into the meadow she had found. here the air bore the scent of snow from high up, and a hint of floated salt from the none-so-distant sea. a glance into jarilo's viridian gaze assured her that he approved of the find; affirmed in her husband's esteem, the duck drifted reluctantly from his side to wade with a laugh into the sea of little colorful blooms. he spoke to them now; she listened, gaze shifting between they and he, and love surging in her spirit.

saviguk was running there now, both of them covered in clinging yellow fluff. a grin broke across her muzzle; for a long moment kukutux was still, buffeted by the rush of air as she sent a silent prayer to the ancestors for protection. it had been necessary to move them from the ulaq, but still she would keep dried berries and fat and cured fish there, for when they wished to visit the sensation of their first home.

in delight she settled on pale haunches to watch her roving children, then lay among the blossoms, casting a teasing glance across the waving heads to see if jarilo might join her there.

Now officially "home base," Sialuk was eager to explore. Not by herself, of course. She was still bound to her parents in many ways, and that would not change for a little while longer. They still provided much for her, and the companionship of her brother was always most welcome. Content with how much pollen she had managed to cover herself in, she bounded back over to her father with a gleeful yip. He would get no peace today.

The white raindrop wiggled her way between her parents, egging them on to join them rather than sit back and watch. And why would they not oblige? The air was warm, the sun was shining, and there was this whole new place to roam! Alas, she did not yet understand that they had been here many times before. She had not been here, which was all the more reason that they should join in on the fun. Perhaps Saviguk could aid her in rousing them from their observation stance.

Saviguk wasted no time joining his sister, and they made quick work of the new flowerfield of space. From first impressions, they seemed alright with the change.. as well as he could tell. At least there was no real resistance to the matter (which had been but a fleeting concern somewhere along the way--since neither seemed to be of a particularly reserved temperament), and he was happy to see them run, play, and have it all to spread out where they could grow and experience more. This was still just a taste, but it still felt so very monumental, somehow.

So, he breathed deep, sights roving from pup to pup, fondly to Kukutux, through the flowers of home. A sweet moment to savor, and he wanted to keep its every detail for good. Soon, Sia pulled his attentions right back to her, and his tail waved happily with a new rhythm. With her bit of a push, he finally got back to motion and waded through the sea of flowers himself with an exaggerated prance of a trot--daring them to come after him as he swung his head with a yip, and picked up his pace towards the small hillock comprising their field.

no rest, no rest. kukutux did not mind, not truly; she danced to her paws as sialuk roused them and jarilo set a path through the swathe of greenery. it was a beauteous locale; having gained her husband's approval, the young wife allowed herself the luxury of a congratulations. 

she sprang after them, darting this way and that through the tussocks and the tangled stems nodding with their rich blossoms. here and there a bee rose, disturbed only briefly by the passing wolves. birds blended their twittering; kukutux paused alongside her mate and breathed the sweet air, elated in spirit and mind for the touch of the spirits here.

The girl chirruped with happiness and delight, falling for her father's goading with ease. Her childhood had been a happy one, and someday, Sialuk may realize just how lucky she was in that regard. Aside from the occasional boo-boo (which were to be expected), she'd had a peaceful toddlerhood. Her parents were kind, she shared a good relationship with her brother, and no major threats came her way.

This day was perfect, and she would recall it fondly in the days, months, and years to come.

Upon seeing Sialuk spur their father into action, quickly followed by their mother, the urge to join them was infectious. He ceased his rolling amidst the flowers, his dark coat now covered in a fine dusting of yellow pollen. Ignorant of just how messy he had gotten himself, Savi lurched forward to circle around and intercept his parents again.

Laughing, he would be on the heels of whomever he got to first. Which happened to be his mother. He launched up at her harmlessly, paws flying to land on her haunches. He was a blur as he zoomed in and then out between the space of her legs, his waving tail leaving a fresh dusting of pollen hanging in the air just by her nose. Finding his way back to Sialuk, he yipped enthusiastically, encouraging her and his little family to romp and play until exhaustion overcame them.

He was soon to see that neither pup needed much goading here. As he pranced, they joined him, so did their mother and all was well. For a fleeting second as he looked over his shoulder, watching Kukutux pause with a hint of a question, everything else felt so far away--but not in a bad way at all. He was warm, and not just from the sun, cozy--his heart, full of a beautiful moment he was grateful to have in his grasp.. very largely thanks to her, he knew. Though once an unexpected one, this was a memory to keep close, he thought as he wheeled and dashed on again with a puff of pollen and petals, encouraging them all with him.

If anything abnormally interesting caught his eye, he'd note it to them, and likely lay down some other ground rules to help the pups stay safe, but for now, he largely wanted the scene to speak for itself.. and of course, a good romp never hurt anyone either. There was plenty of new to see and it made for an afternoon well spent playing and exploring the flowerfield, in his opinion.