Northstar Vale You'll Need a Little Pair of Feet

maybe @Clay otherwise open! @Reiko @Haruki @Sumi for visibility since she hasn't left the den she's just near the entrance. Fam is more than welcome of course! This takes place on the 12th so she can start hearing.

Days have passed since the young girl first learned to open her eyes. Everything remained blurry, but the princess almost swore there was a difference. Hotaru still wasn't sure what to do with the new information, it's not like she had a way to get answers, but she was determined nonetheless. Each day she'd find her way to her paws, shaky with each step until it all seemed to click. When she managed to keep herself upright for more than two steps she let out an excited chirp.

Today was perhaps the first time she recognized the noise she had made. Sounds had slowly become more audible since her mother had sung her the lullaby, but it wasn't until now that the realization had sunk in. It was strange to hear her own voice, the snowy girl could only tilt her head and let out a confused grumble as her paws slapped the ground in front of her. She never did make it to the light in front of her, Hotaru had always fallen or been placed beside her siblings before she could make any real progress. Today was different though, she could feel it!

Finding her footing, Hotaru was careful as she explored closer to the den's entrance. The light was just about blinding to a girl who had lived her whole life in the dark. A black nose would poke out of the mouth of the den shortly followed by two blue eyes as she squinted into the bright world, a quiet whine given to share her discomfort before she scooted back just enough to keep the light out of her eyes. It was too much to make out anything in the world, at least when you don't give undeveloped eyes the chance to adjust, but the realization had been disappointing. Perhaps her small world was destined to remain just that, small.

The pale princess hadn't been far behind her sister when it came to opening her eyes. And while everything was blurry, the young girl had still used her new sense to her advantage. She couldn't really recognize any of the wolves that came near, most were all the same pale shade as herself. But she had been able to recognize when they had their eyes closed and it was easiest for her to escape.

Sumi wasn't sure where their parental body was today, but she had caught sight of her sister tottering her way toward the bright light at the den entrance. Her little tail swished in the dirt, as she quickly rose to her paws. Although the sudden changed toppled her over, and she had to try again. A little more slowly she got to her unsteady feet, and followed her sister at a slightly faster pace, looking to over take her and get to the entrance faster.

The girl's floppy ears twitched at the thump behind her. Peering back into the darkness of the den Hotaru was able to make out the form of one of the small bodies that often slept by her tottering right behind. It was almost a flash as Sumi raced by causing a whined protest from the older sister. She still wasn't sure what was out there, all the girl had gathered was that it was bright. There was no telling if there would be food or warmth and without the ability to fully recognize her surroundings, the idea of slipping out again scared her. Hotaru was quick to follow behind, small jaws reaching out to grasp whatever she could reach of her sister, most likely her tail, to try and stop her from rushing into the unknown.

He slept soundly, undisturbed for the moment by his sisters' antics. Like them, he too was slowly becoming aware of his surroundings now; first sight, then sound, both still rudimentary but developments nonetheless. He took each new milestone as it came with a seemingly unfazed nonchalance that contrasted both Sumi's gusto and Hotaru's hesitance. Despite his temper tantrums and moments of bossiness (especially when it came to eating and sleeping arrangements), Haruki for the most part was a calm, quiet angel of an infant.

Unlike his sisters.

He sensed movement and blinked open his eyes, lazily raising his head and yawning before taking stock of his surroundings. It was still mostly a dark blur, save for the stark white coats of both mother and his siblings - siblings who were heading right for the Bright! He had no concept of a world outside the Dark, or what the bright light at the entrance of the den was, nor what Sumi hoped to achieve rushing towards it like she was doing, but his sisters were doing something without him and that just would not do.

Rising onto unsteady limbs, the prince waddled hurriedly towards the two just as Hotaru made to grab for their daring sister's nubby tail. The gravity of the situation was lost on him, as was Hotaru's desperate efforts to keep Sumi inside, and so with a playful growl, Haruki's tiny jaws clamped down on Hotaru's tail in turn thinking this to be a fun game.

The firm tug on her tail brought the girl to a shocking halt, and she gave a confused yip. The sudden change in moment caused her to fall back, landing right on her flank. She was just a few steps from the outside, and her little eyes slowly adjusted to the light. Be she still couldn't see anything, just the blurry lightness getting brighter.

Perturbed, Sumi's head swiveled to find her sister with her tail in her mouth! And Haruki was right behind her. His little growl seemed playful. Was this a game? She looked back at the bright entrance, desperately wanting to head outside. She didn't have time for games. If her older siblings wanted to play in the darkness then they could go do that, but she wanted to investigate.

Decision made, she stood up and tried to wag her tail free of the other princesses grip.

Success seemed to come her way as her jaws found purchase on Sumi's tail. It was one of the girl's first triumphant moments as she leaned back trying to keep her overly eager sister at bay. Unfortunately for Hotaru, she failed to notice the steps of her brother's approach. An equally surprised yelp fell from the girl's maw as something latched itself to her tail, well-timed with Sumi's own pull in protest as her sister slipped away from her grasp. Without the forward pull, Hotaru was left stumbling back into her brother as she tripped over her own feet and ended up sprawled out on the floor of the den.

As his mouth closed around Hotaru's tail and he gave a small tug, she suddenly let out a yelp and fell backwards, right into him! Flailing, she crashed into him as she stumbled over her own paws and fell towards the den floor, taking her brother with her. Haruki tumbled back with a cry and came to a rolling stop beside his sister and, after regaining his senses, looked to her with an expression of confusion. He didn't get this game.

That was until he remembered Sumi, and looked to the den's entrance once more to see her white form quickly disappearing into the brightness of the day. It then clicked in his mind as to what she was doing. Letting out a startled yipe and scrabbling to his paws, Haruki clumsily made his way towards his sister, barraging her with a series of babbling, incomprehensible yips and growls that demanded she stay here.

She was free! Her firm tug had worked, and her tail slipped free from her sisters sharp teeth. Although Sumi underestimated her own strength, and therefore sent herself hurtling out into the entrance of the den. Rolling over, and out of the shadows. Until she was well.... in the brightness. She gave a squeak as her eyes adjusted more suddenly, and she was blinded by white for a couple moments. Blinking away, the blurry green surrounded her. The ground kind of muddy from the rain, Sumi now sported a giant brown smudge along her back and right side.

Stunned. Sumi sat up. Her eyes wide and wondering, her little jaw falling open. 'Wow' She wasn’t going to let he pesky brother prevent her from her first adventure!

In the days that had passed since the meeting, he had difficulty being near to Reiko. She was... distant from him, more than he had ever felt before, and there was a sudden loneliness. Yes, he had acted brashly. Yes, he had hit her before. But he only did it because he loved her, and could not bear to see her and other men endanger the domestic life they could have together. Even he was subduing his old ways- hadn't even forced himself onto a woman since the kids were born. If he was making these sacrifices to maintain a happy family, so could she- by learning to love him, rather than encouraging the broken home that seemed to be developing. He would not have it- these children needed a happy family, at least in their perspective- they ought to see their parents, in love. The fighting could be kept behind closed doors, when the children could not see. 

But ever since that day he had hesitated to approach her, nervous to see her when she awakened, lest she be the bitch he did not want to talk to. At nights he would creep from his nearby den (for he would not crowd the room where she and the kids slept) towards hers, just peeking inside to let his gaze find them. Sumi. Haruki. Hotaru. At this age they all looked painfully similar, but he made an effort to tell them apart, and as their names drifted through his mind his heart would swell. Father. They were his, he could not see another truth- and his heart was tied too tightly to them to accept that they might not be blood. God forbid he find one to be Yuudai's, after thinking it his all along- his heart might break, might lash out in anger; unpredictable. He did not want to see what evil that day might conjure in him. 

Though he feared to see how she might treat him, today he gathered his confidence and headed to the den. Only to be stopped at the entrance by the most adorable little puff marshmallow cloud baby with a little bit of mud he'd ever seen. Sumi was darling, and he leaned towards her, genuine smile naturally marking his face as he fought tears. She was walking, and seeing- and until he arrived the light seemed to dazzle her, as big blue eyes stared out with wonder from a tiny face. The emperor placed a kiss upon her button nose, and then craned his neck into the den, finding his son and other daughter playing, his son especially barking up a racket. He chuckled warmly, and then lifted Sumi gently by her nape, placing her back within the den beside her siblings before entering. Learning to command the masses, son? Takeshi laughed in response to the chatter that Haruki had been making, laying himself leisurely on the earth beside the trio to supervise them.

Her tumble had taken more than just herself down. Hotaru had been left dazed, a small whine escaping her from the sudden fall. It seemed as though her brother had picked up on her own concerns because he was quick to get back to his paws offering barks of protest to their sister's speedy escape. She had been consumed by the light. A feeling of panic arose in the girl's chest, confused as to what exactly happened to Sumi.

Luckily, she wouldn't have to worry long as the entrance was suddenly blocked out by another figure, this one far too large to be her sibling. Words hit her ears but she was still too young to decipher the meaning of them. He looked like her mother, like her siblings, even if he was larger. It was the similarity though that brought comfort. Her father laid out on the den floor and with Sumi returned and coated in something new she'd rush to her sister's side to investigate.

The smell was strange, musky, and damp with a color that dirtied her once spotless pelt. Curiously she gave a small lick only to recoil and yell at the taste. Whatever it was, it was bad and it had come from the blinding light. Maybe staying in the den wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Like Sumi before him, Haruki was just as blinded by the sunlight as he neared the entrance of the den. He squinted against it as his pale sister was nearly enveloped in the bright expanse, and desperately fumbled forward in an attempt to reach her, before his sight was unexpectedly returned to him by the large shadow that fell over them both. Oh! For a moment, the boy thought it was mother who had returned to them, and with an excited yip, scrambled back into the burrow to await her arrival in anticipation.

Instead, however, it was a stranger who looked just like her, carrying Sumi in tow! She was placed down beside them, her white fur now streaked with a strange darker colour, but Haruki kept his attention on the largest of them all, a little more skeptical of the foreigner than Hotaru. He padded forward cautiously as the man settled in place, speaking garbled words, to which he responded to with a loud, alarmed bark. Mother! Come quick! There is a STRANGER here!

He had seemingly arrived out of no where, suddenly coming from the bright light as her tiny eyes tried to adjusted. Her tail thudded softly against the ground as he kissed her nose. A smile brightening her tiny features. This is new. And just as she sought to continue her adventure, he picked her up. The princess let out a squeak of discontent before she was placed down alongside her siblings.

Umm... excuse me! Sumi’s smile turned into a scowl, and she glared up at her father. She wanted to adventure!! She didn’t much care for her brother’s obnoxious barking, but there was little chance of escape how that an adult was here. Oh no she would find a way out sooner or later. Instead she turned her attention to the mud that clung to her side. Her blue eyes narrowed on her sister, and her disgusted look. Curious Sumi also took a lick. Eww! she recoiled, and let out a cry. Tears welled in her eyes! She tasted gross. What was she supposed to do!? A cry escaped her.... she didn’t want to taste gross.

Sumi was not happy to be lifted, but at this time, it did not matter what she wanted, it mattered that she was safe. While Haruki began to mumble in some strange baby language, Takeshi could only watch on as Hotaru- and then Sumi- took their tastes of mud, both obviously disgusted. Sumi's gaze became glossy, and Shi knew he ought to stop them from continuing any further (for children often lacked that sort of logic). He did not want to lick mud... but he would walk through hell for his children, as long as they were his. And every mercenary had tasted his fair share of earth, being shoved to the ground and pinned. And so the emperor took to the task of cleaning Sumi, licking off the mud with a wincing face and spitting it to the edge of the den, far from the children as he went. It was a grueling and disgusting task, but luckily for him, there wasn't much of the girl to clean anyway. She wasn't exactly big. Once he was finished he pulled away, smiling gently at her to see if she might be satisfied.

Her sister was quick to confirm her findings, whatever she had gotten into was horrible. Perhaps now Sumi would realize why her rocketing out of the den wasn't a good thing. Outside was bad. Leaving Mom was bad. Now she would have to pay, but her cries did make her feel a bit guilty. Would the muck be permanent? Her question was quickly answered as Takeshi drew near once more to take care of the mud. He too seemed to recoil in disgust, but he seemed determined to get rid of it. Eventually, Sumi was white again and with only a smile left on her father's maw, Hotaru would stare amazed. He got rid of the muck! It was a simple act, but one that the young Princess couldn't yet understand so in her eyes he had done the impossible.

He could only watch in horror as his alarmed calls went unanswered by mother, and the ginormous stranger moved towards little Sumi as she taste-tested her muddied fur before crying out in disgust. A small spark of protectiveness flared in his chest, a feeling akin to when he had found the perfect teat and needed to defend it at all costs, but this time it was for his sister. He surged forward, though had no idea what to actually do when he got to Sumi's side. So, instead, the boy watched on cautiously, heart hammering in his chest, as the giant cleared the muck from his sister's fur.

Oh.

Maybe the man wasn't so bad after all. Haruki looked from him, to Sumi, to the discarded mud, then back again. Then he turned to Hotaru to see what she made of this, only to find her staring up at the stranger with the same look of amazement. Emboldened, Haruki then sucked in a breath and bravely plodded towards Takeshi, making his way to one of his big paws to warily sniff at it.

A bath!? He day could not get any worse. First her sister tried to beat her out of the den. Crisis averted. Then her adventure was interrupted. Crisis not averted, but side tabled for another day. THEN, she is covered in brown goo and she tastes terrible. The crisis of ALL crisis’. And NOW!?!? NOW, she gets a bath. Sumi was furious. She wiggles and squirmed, trying to get away from the tongue cleansing her fur.

Of course she didn’t succeed and she was once again sporting a pale white pelt. Looking over her back, then back up at the adult for the moment, and then back at her back. Okayyyyyyy she was happy the gross stuff was gone.

Before she could properly deal with that however her brother came into view. Lowering her torso, and raising her butt in the air Sumi pounced in the distracted boy. A small growl emitting from her jaw. She was a feisty one.

wrap soon maybe?

 

While Haruki came to observe, Sumi wiggled and fussed. At the end though, she seemed satisfied- at least, that was how the emperor interpreted her little glance to him. As soon as she was free from the bath Sumi was leaping to her brother, and Takeshi rumbled a low chuckle to himself at this sight, thinking- adoringly, for once- that this girl had much of her mother's fight and determination in her. He could only hope his son would defend himself as properly as a boy ought to, and watched on, keen to observe.

last post!

With the mystery muck dealt with and Haruki immediately shifting to play mode, Hotaru found herself tired from her own efforts. If her siblings wanted to play that was fine, but she had been stressed enough for one day. Pale paws carefully led her to the back wall of the den where her family usually slept. She wasn't too concerned about things now that an adult was around so she would curl up and let her eyes close.