Blacktail Deer Plateau insert disc 2

Any pack mates welcome! :) (or fam, ofc!)

A moon had passed. The cub's body grew and, with it, his need for more. A newfound determination to explore had overcome his usual penchant for simply eating, sleeping, and bothering his siblings. Blue eyes observed the opening of the den with more and more curiosity until one sunny afternoon he roused to find mother was nowhere to be seen. She often left the den to attend to important matters out there – in the Great Beyond – but his efforts to follow her were often thwarted by either herself pushing the cubs back into the Dark, or their father standing guard.

Neither were around today – and so Arrax seized his chance. In an instant he was upright and, bustling over his sleepy siblings, toddled eagerly into the enticing sunlight at the mouth of the den.

He blinked several times as he emerged, but as his eyes adjusted, he began to take in his surroundings with a passive countenance as if unimpressed with the grand reveal. His nose and mind however were working overtime, the many scents and sights and sounds pulling Arrax further and further from the den.

though rusalka was impressed that arrax had managed to slip past solveig, the commander is quick to swoop down on his freedom chasing son. woah there, rusalka chuckles, hovering; ready to grasp the boy's scruff if that was what it came to.

where're you goin' wily rascal? asks rusalka, not really expecting an answer. rusalka could not remember when he was arrax's age but he was sure that he'd had plenty of escape attempts himself: it was nature and curiosity working. unfortunately for arrax, he had a disadvantage that rusalka hadn't: he had both parents watching hawkishly over him.

Blast! As ever, the large shadowy form of his father was never far from the den, and he appeared on scene before Arrax could get any further than the tree line. His short-lived, unsupervised escapade came to a grinding halt, and the boy craned his neck to stare up at his father as he stood over him with a rumbling chuckle. The words are yet to have much meaning to the cub, but the intention was clear that he was to go no further.

He snorts in response, expression flat but his indignation clear, before tilting his head in an effort to peer around Rusalka's legs and into the depths of the forest that borders their home. Blue eyes then turn back to his father's own molten gaze with a wordless question. What's out there?

the indignation of his son is clear in the snort and it takes all rusalka has to bite back his laugh. he knows his son's frustration isn't truly humorous but because he is so little it is.

rusalka watches as arrax tries to peer 'round him; golden gaze narrowing. it's not safe to go out there on your own. at least, not until you're bigger. older. rusalka doesn't think these words would mean much of anything, either.

the plateau's not inherently dangerous but there were beasties that were natural prey to adults that could be predators to cubs.

c'mon, rusalka decides in a low rumble. we can go on the adventure together, yeah? he moves to the side, gesturing for arrax to go ahead but will follow close behind the boy.

The rumbling of his father's voice causes the boy's stubby ears to perk as he listens, though he did not comprehend. Despite this, he obediently remains standing before the man, though his eyes and nose gave into the impulse to take in every sight and sound and smell that was assailing his senses.

That was until Rusalka moves and motions for his son to go ahead, a simple gesture that releases Arrax from his locked position and he starts forward eagerly, not needing to be prompted twice. He immediately makes for the tree line as fast as his growing legs allow, glancing back every so often to make sure his father was following.

i am so sorry for the wait on this!

rusalka's words might be too advanced for his son to comprehend, but body language was a primal thing understood by all manner of beast; thus, easy for children to comprehend.

his son takes the lead, and rusalka follows closely, slowing his pace so he did not out pace the young boy. rumbles of encouragement are given every time arrax looks behind to ensure he was following.

rusalka wasn't sure where arrax was leading him to but was eager to see where they ended up all the same.

All good! Puppy threads are pretty low stakes so no need to apologise for waits haha <3

They set off, Rusalka taking one sweeping stride for every three of Arrax's own much smaller ones. There is no goal in mind for the young pup, he simply revels in the fact that he has the chance to explore beyond the dark, cramped den. Every rumble from his father is an approval to go further and further into the surrounding forest, and the cub's pace begins to accelerate.

Rusalka would have no problem keeping pace with his son, however. The boy's hike stops and starts continuously as he pauses to sniff at every twig and rock, or to listen to the distant caw of a crow, or to stare at the shadows and sunlight dancing upon the ground.

After some time, Arrax begins to tire, movements slowing as his energy wanes. His father redirects his path back to the den and the boy, despite his protests, crawls back into the den – sleepy but pleased with his first outing.

Edit: wrapping up older threads!