Hushed Willows The songs you grow to like never stick at first

Dated for 03/24!

Fox's first steps had been nothing of note. The milestone had passed sometime in the night, and over the days that had followed, she'd quickly become confident on her feet. Her mother was particularly attentive now, but even so, nothing could keep Foxglove in the den for long.

It was early in the morning when she crept toward the den entrance again. Both her mother and her uncle were distracted for the moment. It was never long before they noticed her absence, but even a few stolen moments was better than nothing.

Abel had sought out the new mother's den that morning. Strange, considering the hour. Perhaps he could've waited a bit longer, but Abel had grew restless with a complete lack of sleep. He was up as soon as the sun turned the inky sky a shade of soft purple.

There was an unsuspected sight that greeted him as he neared the den. A runaway — not too far, but far enough to raise some eyebrows.

Abel was glanced around for any sign of a more capable adult. None in sight, at least for now. And so helplessly he called out to the pup. Hey, you're not supposed to be out here.

Maybe she'd turn tail then. Hopefully...

Oh! It was a man she'd never seen before! Foxglove was delighted with the discovery, though this was decidedly not her mother. She supposed mama could wait a little longer while she said hi.

Fox rolled onto her back, babbling cheerfully, and wiggled around with her legs in the air. She was sure the man would understand it as an invitation to play.

She did not, in fact, head back to the den. Why would she? In hindsight, he thought, she most likely couldn't understand him. Or probably much of anything beyond babbles.

No, instead she took his word as an invitation to play. He registered that, sure, but Abel still stood like a deer in the headlights. When was the last time he actually played with someone? If such a time existed it did not come to memory in the moment. 

He struggled to figure out what exactly to do then, and more importantly how. Eventually he'd opt tentavily reach out and attempt to flip her right side up with a gentle paw.

Ah, he understood! Though... he wasn't very good at playing, was he? Foxglove wrapped her legs around the single paw he extended, deciding she would help him along by dragging him down to the ground with her.

What she didn't realize was just how much larger and stronger an adult wolf was in comparison. As hard as she tried, she couldn't seem to pull him down. If anything, she would only succeed in clinging to his leg as he drew it back.

Oh no. She wasn't getting the hint. And again, why would she?

She clung to his paw. There was some weight to her grasp,  he swore it, though it wasn't very effective. Abel could limp his way towards the den, returning the girl to her mother's care. In the moment he was seriously considering it. But what if she decided to let go? He couldn't fix a broken skull.

So he'd give in, falling to the power of the mighty baby. Oh no! You got me, he cried as he fell beside her. Not his most enthusatic performance, but it was his debut. Give it time and maybe he'd be better at this.