Dragoncrest Cliffs it's the moments we relive

@Chantale
Prompt: A massive migration of trumpeter swans has crashed at local water hot spots.
Location: Glintwater Lake

now that the puppies were gaining autonomy, val kept the length of his excursions limited and hung by the den's mouth often. it was rare he was not there to oversee their jailbreaks (and sometimes, their escaping). they would soon come on hunts with sapphique, though the thoroughfare was often more aquatic in nature, and big game was limited at times.

today, many shadows darkened the skies. val glanced skyward to see swans in multitudes, their pearly wings flapping in cacophony as they flew past. from the delirious honks nearby, val presumed they had come to glintwater.

ducking his head in the den, val fixed his gaze on those awake and prompted who wants fast food?

Chantale had gained something of a reputation among her siblings. A fierceness, like a tiger cub rather than a wolf pup. Of course, there was also the odd, horse like face she was growing more and more as her body began to grow upwards rather than outwards with milk. It didn’t bother her though, nothing seemed to.

So, when the odd dark creature that sometimes cramped her style stuck his head in and spoke (apparently it could talk? Weird world.) Chantale was ready.

ME! She practically roared, coming tripping and stumbling to stand at the dark creature’s feet.

Go ou’! She wasn’t about to be deposited back in the den again, no sir.

they grew impressively each day. val could not lie to himself; he looked for himself and his mother in them. which puppy would inherit raleska's fierceness? which puppy would inherit her stormy features, or his (he hoped) disposition? and which of them would be most like mireille, beautiful and full of such assurance that it buoyed him?

one such cub burst forth today, roused and ready. yes chantale, let's go out. but don't wake your siblings. val winked in a conspiratory manner, padding just out the den before he stopped and motioned to the rimless sky above. a band of swans was passing over, their fluffy forms like rounded clouds. do you see the birds up there? we are going to chase them.

She would come tumbling behind the man, aggressively shooshing both herself and Val. It was a fun sound, a shoosh, and she liked to make it. Well, when it wasn’t directed at her. Then it was the worst noise in the entire world and how dare you.

She came to a halt beneath Val’s belly, peering up and around him to the sky. She shot him a skeptical look, the most aggressive side eye she could manage at her age, before she looked back to the birds.

’ow? They didn’t have wings, you silly man-thing.

along came the child, shushing at his heels. val couldn't help but giggle, offering an accompanying shoosh here and there to complement the array of noises behind him.

when chantale stopped and turned her already-slender nose skyward, val was struck with how exotic she looked. he assumed in that moment that sapphique was packing many things in the genetic admixture that was their pool; maybe somewhere was a seahorse.

he could tell she did not believe him. sauntering off, val took to exaggerating his light footsteps and lowering himself into the grass. they would stalk to glintwater, we take them by surprise when they land. you watch, i'll show you.

he shared a wink with chantale before he stalked close to the water's edge. so far, the noise of the swans concealed his approach.

he waited until one had its head underwater. with a burst of energy val galloped through the reeds, water crashing around his chest. the birds took off like buckshot, the sky alive with their indignant honking.

he returned to chantale empty handed, save the dark black plume of several tail feathers. these kept the two of them entertained for hours until it grew dark and val escorted chantale carefully back to the den.