Redhawk Caldera Tell your story

Eljay? Pups? Anyone? :)

Nightjar left a gaping, aching hole in his father's heart when he left, not to mention a couple of broken dreams. Peregrine had still hoped to one day groom the eldest Firebird into his heir. There were no hard feelings, though. He would be lying if he said he didn't hope his son made his way back to the caldera someday, where Peregrine felt he belonged. In the meantime, Peregrine hoped his son would get the experiences he craved out there in the world, as well as all the tail a young man could ever want.

That thought made his lips twitch into a sad smile, which faded as he sighed and flopped to the ground just outside the den, his four younger sons romping around him. Nightjar had seemed so excited about being an older brother, yet the reality hadn't lived up to his expectations. The little boys would not be without a brother figure in Eljay, though, and Peregrine found himself glancing around, expecting to see his nephew. He always seemed to be nearby these days, which pleased the Alpha male.

NJ #2 to the rescue

Growing like a weed, Whip now dwarfed the stubby version of himself of weeks prior. While his head was still far too large for his body in a nearly comical manner, Whip was coming into his own -- his features becoming much more well defined amidst the baby fat with age. Also coming with age were freedoms that Whip greatly appreciated. Now a month old, he could come and go from the den as he pleased (with supervision of course). Living in a hole wasn't something the pup was all too keen on. The sunlight's pull was strong.

Already outside and romping around with his brothers, Whip hardly noticed his father plopping down nearby. His attention was elsewhere, but once @Ferret locked Whip in a sideways pin, Daddy Redhawk entered his field of vision. From underneath his brother, Whip's tail began to wag and his body squirmed. He struggled to pull away, but eventually found himself free.

"Da!" he chirped while circling his father several times in a playful, yet clumsy, lope. Eventually, Whip came to stop at his father's flank. Panting, he stamped his forepaws into Peregrine's side while his entire body squirmed with excitement. "Da!" he repeated.

Elwood was passing by the Alphas' den, taking a roundabout path to get to the borders for a quick patrol. As he neared, he became aware of the sound of the pups tussling, and as soon as the Redhawk homestead was in his line of vision, he spotted Peregrine outside with all four boys rolling around him. The sight was enough to bring a grin to Elwood's face.

Putting his duties on the back burner for the time being, he strode towards his friend and his brood. He watched as one of the boys -- Whip-poor-will, he was pretty sure -- wiggled away from his brother's grasp. The pup that had been holding him down was unmistakably Ferret. The Beta stopped a few feet away from the group and lowered himself onto his belly, mirroring Peregrine's position.

"Hey, Da, how's it going?" he teased, mimicking Whip's pleas as the boy kneaded his paws into his dad's side.

The familiar cry of a small voice snapped Peregrine out of his thoughts, prompting him to drawl, "What'cha want, Dubs?" as he stretched out a large paw to drop gently atop young Whip's head. "It's du-d," he added with a click of his tongue and a wink, knowing full well that the pups weren't capable of much articulation just yet. He was actually quite pleased with da!

Even when it came from an unexpected source. The Alpha's attention snapped upward as the pack's Beta male approached. Peregrine's lips twitched into a smile. "That's right, call me daddy," he teased with a jokingly lascivious wink at Elwood. He paused to actually consider his friend's question even as he continued to mash his son's head mercilessly. "It's all right. NJ decided to head out on his own for a bit," he revealed sadly.

Possessing a bold and high level of energy that was all too becoming of a pup of Whip's age, his incessant stamping into his father's side was undisturbed by Elwood's coming approach. Having seen Elwood around the den-site on numerous occasions (usually bringing food or something to chew on, which Whip thoroughly enjoyed and associated with his presence), the beta was far from unfamiliar, however, even if it had been a stranger to settle beside Peregrine, Whip wouldn't have cared. He was a comfortable creature at heart, and would continue his babbling and play at will.

Having no intention of stopping his playful stamping -- that is, until Whip got the attention from his father that he so desired -- he continued to hop on pop until, without warning, his father pulled away. Swiftly following, a paw was draped over Whip's disproportiate head.

Though the touch was light, Whip still sunk to the ground under the weight placed over him. Along with a quick burst of air escaping Whip's lungs, he murmered, "Duh—" as his chest was pressed into the ground. Beneath his father's mashing, Whip's forelegs continued to squirm as he kicked up as much loosely packed soil as he could.

Although Peregrine's reply was somewhat solemn and Elwood was disappointed to hear that Nightjar had left pack life behind, he couldn't help but smile as little Whip was effectively smushed by his father's paw. There was an audible whoosh of air exiting the pup's lungs, and then he proceeded to flail his legs with abandon, presumably in an attempt to escape from Peregrine's grasp.

Turning his gaze back up towards the Alpha male's peppered face, Elwood allowed his expression to shift into a thoughtful frown. "I didn't expect that from him," he said; Nightjar had seemed to be the most homebound of the original firebird litter, content to stay with his parents while his sisters had both taken off on their own. A very small piece of him was selfishly glad, because NJ would no longer be around to bully Eljay, but he refrained from mentioning that to Peregrine.

"Do you know where he was headed?" he asked, wondering if the young adult had a destination in mind or if he had simply decided to travel.

The pup could struggle with all his might and never get anywhere. Peregrine smirked as he refused to budge an inch. Meanwhile, his attention strayed back to the Beta's face. The Alpha hadn't really expected it either, but neither could he find it in himself to fault his son for it. The word disloyal just didn't fit someone as staunch as Nightjar. He thought of it more as an extended scouting expedition or something.

"Right into the most ready and willing snatch, I imagine," he drawled in response, finally lifting his paw from Whip's head and then moving to tickle his toes along the pup's rib cage. "I think chasing tail is a big part of it, honestly, and I'd rather he get it out of his system before he's sexually mature. Maybe when things settle down in that department, he'll settle down, right back here."

Sorry for the wait!

Whip's tiny legs continued to peddle with abandon from underneath his father's steady grip. Despite a valiant effort, the pup went nowhere, and while first it had been such a fun game between him and his dad, Whip soon grew scared. He squeaked, yelped, and pleaded in any way he could to finally be released from his father's pressing paw. To the pups great relief, Peregrine's paw eventually drew away and Whip was free to move once more.

The fear Whip felt was immediately flushed from his system as soon as he was back to safety. But, the paw soon returned and the pup was knocked gingerly onto his side. Peregrine's tickling toes went to work and Whip couldn't stop a belly laugh from brewing. He squirmed, and through the uncontrollable laughter, Whip managed a squeaking, "Nuh!" in protest.

"Hmm," was Elwood's thoughtful yet wordless reply to Peregrine's speculations about Nightjar's whereabouts. While the Alpha tickled his young son's tummy -- and Whip's squeals of protest and delight filled the air -- he found himself wondering when Eljay would become sexually aware. He and Nightjar couldn't have been more different in personality, but he was only a few months younger than his cousin, and it was all part of reaching adulthood. It was bound to be awkward.

"Well, speaking of chasing tail," he segued with a grin, "Fin and I have finally talked about having some more little Blackthorns -- as long as it's good with you and Fox, of course." He would never forget the expression on Fox's face when they had told her that Finley was pregnant, and he definitely didn't want to have a repeat of that whenever Finley came into season.

The little boy's seraphic giggles drew his father's attention totally, eliciting a fond, toothy grin. He didn't begrudge others smiles—though they were often more smirks than anything—but this look was one of pure adoration that only Fox or his offspring could win from him. He beamed like the sun for a few moments, continuing to tickle Whip, getting his fill of that babyish laugh before finally withdrawing his paw to give the tot a break before he wet himself or something.

Returning his focus to his Beta, Peregrine's smile shifted but did not fade. It definitely became more smirk-like as he drawled, "What does chasing tail have to do with making babies?" He winked, then shook his head and casually added, "Of course you guys have my blessing." Peregrine also recollected the Betas' previous pregnancy announcement. He hadn't had a say back then, what with the demotion, but this time it was up to him (in part) and permission was gladly given... especially considering the way Finley had recently looked when first laying eyes on the second batch of Firebirds.

I need to play a happy character for a while. Looks like Whip will be getting a bit more love :P

He squirmed, shrieked, and giggled happily under his father's paw, but the tickle monster finally relented. Whip's happy shrieks died down and he was left with a dumb smile plastered across his tiny face. Inhaling deeply, the pup quickly caught the breath that had recently escaped -- and with a grin, Whip flipped himself back onto his feet, as to wiggle in-place and upright.

His attention span -- being a child and all -- was threadbare and thin. While the adults found themselves talking amongst themselves, Whip was drawn back to his brothers romping in the distance. Once again, he joined them in play, leaving the adults to talk uninterrupted.

Elwood smirked and shrugged, though he didn't let on to just how happy he was to receive Peregrine's blessing. He was a wolf that preferred logic and order, and he and Finley had taken the complete opposite approach during her last pregnancy. From start to finish, it had been unplanned and unpredictable. He was thankful that things had turned out okay -- and that Eljay was growing into a capable young adult -- but wouldn't make the same series of mistakes twice.

"Thanks," he said, watching as Whip tumbled a short distance away to play with his brothers. "This batch is keeping you guys busy, huh?" he asked absently, watching as the boys wrestled and played. He found himself imagining a handful of mini-Eljays roughhousing with their cousins and smiled faintly.

Whip gamboled off in some random direction, graceless as a drunk, and Peregrine snorted fondly after him. He then turned to look at Elwood again. His brows furrowed suddenly, as if he was confused why the Beta was still standing there, trying to make small talk. He didn't answer, in fact ignoring the Blackthorn's question altogether.

"Don't you have some babies to make? Go on, shoo!" Peregrine said, waving Elwood away. Of course, he knew it didn't work like that—Finley wouldn't immediately go into season just because the Alpha had greenlighted it, though how funny was that idea—but Peregrine was, in fact, busy with his young and he was thinking about running after Whip and offering himself as a sacrifice to the pups to keep his mind off his wayward older son.

Elwood blinked, though he soon grinned and took to his feet. He wouldn't need any further urging from Peregrine. "I'm going, I'm going!" he called over his shoulder as he trotted away, obediently dropping his nose to the ground to search for Finley.

Even if it wasn't time to make babies yet, he could still share the good news with her.