Redhawk Caldera Operational update

Chapter 1

Day 4 of established existance.

Plenty of friendly collisions with invisible comrades. Tactical manouvre - foot in the face - carried out successfully. Some close combat for resources. Strategic decision to crush the opposition by lying on top of them. Vocal protest over general command's decision to engage me in bathing activity. Request to be freed - denied.

Situation: controlled.

Status: not hungry. 

End of update.

In other words the youngest female edition of the Blackthorns was doing quite well for a puppy her age. She showed no intent to become a part of infant mortality statistics. The girl ate greedily, pushed her siblings around as much as it was possible (and when she herself was not squirming on the ground, lying on her back, all four paws up in the air). She was loud, when she was awake, but was nearly impossible to wake up, when she was charging her battery (read - sleeping) and coming up with world domination plans. All in all - she was doing well. 

Jay was getting pretty used to being kicked in the face and pushed around by his sister.  He had a habit of rolling over the other three without caring much either, and every time they shoved him, he just came back with zero hesitation.  Even at a few days old it was clear that lessons were going to be hard learned.

Right now Jay was discovering the joys of "sideways eating". If it wasn't a thing then he was making it one, and as he nursed, his hind paws began to kick - pap pap pap pap - enthusiastically thumping his sister's side in the process.

Air-strike alert!

She probably would not have paid much attention to being used as a drum-set, had it not coincided with her stomach's decision to deal with overflow. Three, four thumps later an ominous "blargh" announced an eruption of half-digested milk. It pooled on the den's floor and whoever happened to be in the direct vicinity. She hiccuped for a bit after that and attempted to squirm away from the mess.

Mayday, mayday!

Bluejay opened his little muzzle and let out a squalling cry as some kind of wet, unpleasant enemy toxin leaked out and spread beneath his fur.  It wasn't so much a cry of upset as it was a declaration of war on the feeling.  

You'll never take me alive!

He abandoned eating and pinwheeled his little forepaws to try and right himself and crawl away.  Fortunately air rescue came in before he needed to because he wasn't making much headway in getting turned the right direction.

Maia had been dozing lightly when one of the pups let out a squeal that startled her awake. She looked them over and immediately shook her head, smiling. Does someone feel better now? She nosed Bluejay over, cleaning him off in a few quick motions, and then plucked up Ceridwen and placed her between her forepaws before she could escape.

Here. Just in case she still was feeling a bit stomach-upset, Maia began to groom her as well, stroking along her back in a way that would hopefully help anything that needed to settle (or move) do so. Sylvie had grown up with frequent issues like that and she'd learned, raising her, that this could sometimes help.

Direct hit! Woohoo!

However, her joy was short-lived, because - first - her target disappeared and then she herself felt the ground disappearing beneath her feet for a moment. Then she landed on a very familiar surface and knew, what was going to happen. 

Captive! Again! ARGHH!!!!

She grumbled in protest, while Maia washed her. By now she had learned that the quickest way of getting done with this was being patient. But time would come, when she would grow big and strong and fast enough and would never, ever have to take a bath again!

Even after she finished the bath, Maia held her there for a moment, snuggling her despite any protests. Any puppies of hers were definitely going to be showered with hugs whether they liked it or not! She laughed at her grumbles and tucked her head up against her, pressing gently. Such a grumpy owl!

Then she gave her a couple more comb-throughs and placed her back, next to her sister instead, hoping that maybe it would prevent any more incidents for a bit.

She loved watching them move and explore, the more they grew.

Standby mode activated.

There is only so much activity one tiny puppy can handle in a day. With the belly comfortably empty and soothed by the grooming session her mom had provided, Ceridwen suddenly felt very tired. It was time to recharge her battery. When placed next to her sister, she fell asleep and was nice, quiet and pleasant for the next few hours or so.