Broken Antler Fen Good, good, now we're making some progress

she's just outside the den. aw

As her body and mind developed into something more than a needy blob, her curiosity about the world around her grew. She grew bored easily these days, constantly searching for something interesting or entertaining. 

She lay in the entrance to the den, settled in the middle of a beam of sunlight that cast its warmth across ground. It heated her fur and left her content and lazy for a few peaceful minutes. But a sound soon piqued her interest, and Hymnal lifted her head, tilting it a little as she stared outside in wonder. She wasn't sure if she had heard it before, but she was suddenly struck with the overwhelming need to figure out what had made it.

She quickly lifted up from the ground and trotted clumsily outside. She stopped and looked around, listening closely for the sound so that she would know where to go. But she hadn't heard it yet, and she lowered her nose to sniff the ground as she took a few more steps.

She froze when she heard the sound again, whipping her head up to stare at the tree from where it had come. Her tail swayed happily behind her as she closed the short distance. She stopped again at the base of the tree and peered up, her eyes bright with interest. A small creature hopped from one branch to the other, making the sound one more time. It was greyish brown, with black spots on its wings. Hymnal thought the creature looked very soft. She wished it would come down and play, but it seemed to only want to sit on the branches of the tall tree. 

She was stubborn, though, and she continued to stare up at the animal while her tail waved behind her; maybe if she held out long enough it would come down to meet her.

Eljay was lazing about outside the den and he watched Hymnal as she watched something up in the trees with great interest. Birds were usually of great interest to pups because they moved a lot and spoke to the hunting instincts. He smiled as she watched it, wondering if she was thinking of trying to catch it, or if she just wanted to be friends with it. He was glad, at least, that she didn't seem scared of it; he knew that he didn't carry the strongest genes in the bravery department, after all, even though of course Finley's genes were in there somewhere, too.

Even though he already had seen what she was doing, Eljay asked his daughter, What're you up to, sweetie? as he followed her gaze upwards to the bird.

Sylvie had continued to learn and grow, and she had even spoken her first word last week— Mama, for @Maia. Since then, she added to her vocabulary and strung the words into short, choppy sentences. Right now, she absorbed everything like a sponge and talked whenever she was able to.

Her morning had been quiet, and she had napped for a majority of it. Sylvie had started her day with breakfast (eating her fill and then some) and then went back to bed. However, she didn't sleep long and woke up about an hour after she had fallen asleep.

Sylvie felt lazy, and she took her time getting up. Eljay's voice was what motivated her to get up. After standing and shaking off the stray strands of bedding from her fur, Sylvie left the den.

"Papa!" she said as she trotted up to her papa, her tail wagging side-to-side. "Hymn!" She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but she was eager to join in on the fun and regarded them both with a curious gaze.

Papa's voice and presence beside her momentarily stole her focus. She smiled up at him, her tail wagging so hard that it moved in circles behind her. She stood up and placed her paws on his leg just under his shoulder. Hymnal offered small, excited kisses to whatever part of him she could reach before looking back up the tree. She patted him gently with her paws and said: Play. Then she looked between her dad and the creature. She wanted to play with it.

Then her sister was there. Hymnal's excitement grew so much that she lost her balance and stumbled back, falling to the ground and looking like an upside down turtle for a few moments. But she wasn't hurt or embarrassed; she jumped right up and lunged at Sylvie to pepper her with kisses. Then she looked up at the creature and walked towards the trunk again. Play, she told her sibling.

These kids are both adorable <3

Eljay chuckled when Hymnal jumped up at him to lick his chin, cheek and chest. He leaned down to nuzzle her face, opening himself up to more excited kisses. Hymnal soon explained that she wanted to play, and she looked up at the bird to explain her intentions. Soon after, Sylvie showed up. Her voice showed as much excitement as Hymnal's greeting and her tail wagged happily from side to side. Hello sweetie, Eljay greeted his other daughter. It warmed his heart to see her greet her sister so warmly, too. It hadn't been an easy time for the family, but it seemed like things are finally settling in place.

Hymnal repeated her desire for play to her sister. Eljay was reminded of the bird, and he looked up again. He explained, It's a bird. They're very fast and shy, so it's hard to get one to play with you. It was the easiest way he could think to explain it; hopefully some of it stuck.

But we could play with each other, Eljay suggested and he leaned down into a play bow too see if he could entice Hymnal to drop her interests in the bird to play a game of tag.

Thank you! <3 Also I am SO SORRY for the delay! Thank you both for your patience.

”Hymn!” Sylvie replied enthusiastically as Hymnal stumbled backwards. She took a step forward, watching her sister with concern. She took a step forward, her ears slicking back and whining, only to see Hymnal’s recovery. Sylvie immediately brightened—she leapt at her sister enthusiastically and returned her kisses in full.

Their attention shifted as Eljay mentioned the bird, and Sylvie stepped back to get a better view of the creature. ”Birb!” she chirped, turning to her papa with a smile. He then suggested that they could play, and Sylvie mimicked Eljay and dropped to a bow.

”Yes!” she encouraged her sister, ”Pay!”

nw! <3

She was very interested in this bird her father described to her, but it was clear she would not be able to get any closer. 

Besides, dad had mentioned playing, and now he and Sylvie were bowed before her. Hymnal giggled and danced from papa to sister, nipping playfully at each of them. play! she repeated.

Eljay was glad that the gist of the message seemed to come across, at least — that they couldn't play with the bird, however cool it was. Hymnal and Sylvie seemed to agree then that they would play the three of them, and Eljay smiled softly at them as they excitedly repeated the suggestion of 'play' and nipped at each other.

Eljay wiggled his butt and he said dramatically, Oh no, here comes the tickle monster! I'm gonna get ya! Presuming neither kid would respond badly to him assuming the role of the tickle monster, Eljay dashed towards them and initiated a chase; as the wind blew in his face, he truly felt happy.

no problem at all, Chan <3 i'll fade this since Sylvie is on NPC currently, but would love another with the girls sometime! <3