Northstar Vale Four corners of the world.

Together with @Maxim, Towhee led @Leona and @Jack Snipe to the far northern end of the canyon, where they followed a worn footpath upward toward the neighboring mountain. Maintaining a leisurely pace, the family of four navigated through the rugged terrain until they reached the southeastern reaches of the vale.

H’okay, who wants to do the honors? Howl for @Arsenio or @Tamar, Towhee said, playfully nudging against the kids.

The site went down before I could edit in my note, aiii.

(First of all, sorry for the double tag, Teo! *palm to face*)

Everyone: please let me know if I need to edit any of the wild power-playing I did in this post! ^ ___^

It was the furthest that the boy had been from his home in the canyon. He’d taken every step with a spring, energy coursing through him. Jack was eager to see the world and everything that it had to offer. With mom and dad accompanying them, the kids didn’t really have to worry about making their parents fret.

At the borders of a beautifully lush territory, Towhee stopped and glanced over her children to see which one of them might like to howl for the leaders. Jack Snipe did not hesitate. He sprung forward on his paws and smiled toothily at his mom.

Me! I do! Sorry Leona, you can do the next one, he thought as he glanced toward her with a dumb smile.

the trip had not been horrible or long, despite it being the children's first one. so to say they all arrived in high spirits.

his son seemingly highest of all in spirits.

gentle, he nudged the boy's head and an encouraging snuffle. well, go on then. call for them. he beamed with pride before he drew closer to towhee.

Jack beat his sister to the punch, though before there was any possibility of Leo feeling put out about this, Towhee clapped her paws together and changed tack ever so slightly.

Altogether now! she shouted, making a sweeping gesture at the youngsters to get them to start before tossing back her own head to join the song.

If there was any doubt which party of four was crowding Epoch’s doorstep, Towhee erased it with her signature caterwaul. It bounced around all the nearby massifs, sounding like an entire flock of Canadian geese crashing into the mountains.

The boy’s fallen expression was enough to tell his mother that doing it altogether was not what she’d suggested at the start. He pouted visibly, fur ruffling along his neck and shoulders. If she was going to have them all call together then why had she asked?

With one surly glance between his parents and then to his sibling, Jack Snipe lifted his head and howled louder than anyone else to prove his point. When they had finished their summoning call, he lowered his head and smirked smugly to Leona before bumping her with his shoulder. Jack looked up to Towhee and wondered just how long they might have to wait there before someone would come and see them.

The boy huffed and plopped down on his butt.

tags for ref/joining!

towhee!

tamar had the pups outside in the midday air. she called back, inviting the family into the vale. perhaps it was a misstep, but she was eager to see them. "come!" she said to @Antigone; she chuffed the same to @Zulema and gathered up @Zosime. they could go a short way these days; she would not take them so far.

tamar tucked her brood into the shadows along the red forest and went to meet the mereoans, tail waving and eyes bright. "look how your family has grown!"

Tamar had plans for them, it seemed.

Antigone had gone with her because he enjoyed the time he spent with his mother. She was warm and comforting. Her voice had grown to be one of his favorite sounds. Though he had begun to demonstrate some peculiarities, the red-hooded boy clearly loved his family.

As a group was invited into their home, the boy watched. His eyes shifted between his mom and his sisters with burning curiosity, wondering if they would engage with the strangers. Antigone could smell a few of them, though he did not know that there were other children who had journeyed to the vale to see the new family.

Sniffing near where Tamar was, Antigone waited for what would come.

if i misread tamar's invite lmk!

for a moment, he was as confused as jack was. and he shared a look with his son to convey this! ah, but he needed to encourage each child to have their moment, hm? his boisterous son could not always be first.

regardless, they were welcomed back with a call from tamar. inviting them right into the vale! he wondered how young her children were. if they might even play with the redhawk brood!

-she called us in- he explained to towhee with warmth. signing and voice. now he moved to nudge along jack, trusting leo to stay near already.

manners, right?

Towhee cackled when she saw the chaos she had created among their quartet. She saw the exchange between Jack and Leo, right before the boy promptly grew impatient and plopped to the ground. Playfully, the mother reached out to nip at his whiskers.

There was barely any hangtime before Maxim informed her that Tamar had responded, graciously inviting them to enter the territory. The Redhawk went still, a little surprised by this demonstration of absolute trust. Well, she supposed they were sister packs. She shrugged and motioned for her mate and kids to lead the way.

When she caught sight of Tamar approaching, Towhee glanced at her son and daughter, then faced the woman who reminded her so much of Meerkat and replied, It’s good to see you, Tamar. This is my son, Jack Snipe, and my daughter, Leona. And you know Maxim already. I think?

She looked between the two adults, eyes eventually lingering on Tamar. She looked well. Towhee had of course heard the good news: Tamar’s time had finally come, just a few weeks back. Perhaps Arsenio was with their brood now. The Redhawk would like to see them, though she would understand if the new parents weren’t quite ready to introduce their trio yet.

Tell us all about your own new additions, the Redhawk coaxed with a wave of her tail, keeping an eye on her own pups to see how they responded to their hostess.

Zulema's small legs carried her as fast as she could manage, eagerly following her mother for whatever was planned. Regardless if there was reason to be wary, which there was not, her little tail was tucked as she sniffed at the bunch of strangers that had come into view. She watched her mother greet them with joy and her nervousness had slightly quelled at the sight.

Yet, Zulema sat down, staring quietly but intently as they interacted. Usually so full of energy around her family, she was timid at the moment. She wished to be at Tamar's side again, but waited next to her brother.

one of her daughters and a son joined them.

her last hung back.

"twin girls. zulema and zosime. and our son, antigone." she smiled.

she looked at them all, greeting each with her eyes. "how was your journey?"

zosime hadn't meant to lag behind! she had been so distracted by everything going on all at once. but soon enough she was fumbling up with the rest of her siblings.

there were other children! not her siblings that she had known but...who were they? were there somehow more siblings?!

nervously she bumped her sister, before she whispered. boy? he seemed so lively! she wished to see him first.

I’m tidying my thread logs and archiving outdated threads that haven’t had any replies in a while. I figured I’d wrap this for everyone. :)

If anyone would prefer to post again, just post a revival request in Maintenance!

Tamar indulged Towhee’s questions, her words accompanied by at least two of the pups themselves. Of course, their arrival distracted her enough that she actually missed their names, although that was just as well. The Redhawk would surely struggle with pronouncing such exotic monikers.

Well, hey there! Towhee said, grinning between the twins before glancing at her own kids. Jack, Leo, go play! she instructed, making emphatic sweeping gestures.

Nipping at Maxim, she sidled closer to Tamar so they could sit side side by side and keep an eye on the pups. Her pair might be outnumbered but their playmates were notably smaller. Hopefully they would get along and play well together.

You guys made some hecking cute sprogs, Towhee commented to Tamar, nudging the younger woman.

But for the most part, Towhee left the conversation to Tamar and Maxim in favor of watching the children. There would be time to catch up among the adults later, after the little ones tired themselves out.