Stavanger Bay Pop music 101

@Thistle Cloud This is dated forward about 2 days to the 1 week mark.

One week had passed since the birth of the Ostrega brood, and they had all effectively doubled in size, if not exactly. Much of that growth had been outward, as rich milk distended the pups' bellies until they were practically just balls of fat and fluff, but there had been a little lengthwise. They were all impressive specimens in their own right, in some ways and in others.

Kevlyn had become almost excessively rotund in his first week, and of course, being Kevlyn, whined about that. Most of the outright wailing had dulled into a constant, high-pitched whining, with an occasional sharp yelp thrown in for good measure. One week of life had done nothing to silence the complainer. Unfortunately for all who shared his space, he wasn't capable of shutting up. It was almost as hard as not breathing, and he had learned firsthand when Levi fell asleep on his throat that that was hard.

He was squirming around on his belly, flailing and grappling with stubby limbs, and whimpering with every haul. Sometimes his apparent distress was punctuated with grunts, and once or twice he paused to fart or hiccough, but mostly he squirmed and whined, blind and aimless as always.

Pop 101 -- Marianas Trench

Thistle walked across the meadow, scaring up some prey. A rabbit jumped near and began to race away. With a slight irritation snort, she gave chase. Finally, catching it and giving it a quick shake, she snapped it's neck and laid it to the ground. Grasping it in a better grip between her teeth, she began to slowly amble towards the den that housed the bay's newest members. She had given them a week, now she wanted to at least drop off prey. If she was not allowed to see the puppies she would leave, but she did want to wish @Julooke well.

Upon arriving she heard a whine, but it did not sound like it was a painful whine just a whine like Tveir used to let loose. This pup sounded as if it was calling out, just to call out to feel the vibrations within himself. She chuckled and dropped the hare to her feet, Julooke? May I come in? she did stick her head in the doorway, blinking against the darkness that slid across her irises.

He was as content as Kev could ever be—not very—until one of his pudgy paws stubbed against a rock in the den floor.

Hot pain sent spidery fingers through his senses, radiating from the pain and triggering in his brain faster than a gunshot. In seconds he was whimpering loudly and withdrawing his paw from the rock, but the pain stayed there like a throbbing reminder that the world had just bitten him, and when it didn't abate instantly, he cried even harder. There was a new scent permeating the darkness, but he was too intent on his own discomfort to notice it just yet... And when he did, no doubt he would cry some more.

Thistle Cloud was trying to be good, and not enter the den without permission. She however threw caution to the wind when a pained whimper reach her ears. Like a shock to her system, her motherly instincts went into hyper drive and she went further into the den. She found the squalling child and gently sniffed at him, mindful to keep Julooke in her eyes view, in case her presence was not wanted.

Hearing and seeing now reproach she continued her approach and she gently licked at the child's sore paw. As instinct derived he was holding his paw away and up slightly. Licking it gently there was no open cut, and no blood, but it still hurt she was sure. Poor little guy. Hush little one. She spoke gently, continuously licking it, hoping to soothe.

The new scent grew stronger, vying for attention in the babe's mind, but unable to dislodge the pain until Thistle Cloud actually touched him. The transformation was instantaneous: his whimpers quieted, his paw withdrew instantly and, as best he could, Kev rolled himself into a fat little ball.

This time was different than when Gyda approached him. Thistle Cloud's ministrations were gentler than the cub's had been, aimed to soothe rather than disrupt, and Julooke was present this time. He could sense despite being blind and deaf that Jules was calm, and that was enough to keep him calm for the time being.

Still, there was a soft whistle from his nostrils with every breath as, ever so slowly, he uncurled himself and extended his large head toward Thistle Cloud, with nose working furiously to grab and catalogue her unique odour.

Though it was not funny, Thistle could not help the giggle that burst from her maw. It was merely an instantaneous and instinctual thing the pup did. However, he was so chubby and awkward it was adorable to say the least. She did however back up to give him a little more space, she did not wish to scare him more than he already was. And she definitely did not want to upset Julooke by upsetting her children.

Thistle tried not to move to quickly for the child and when he searched her out with his nose she did not move. She did however touch her own nose to his gently only to retreat just as quickly for fear of startling him, though it was probably too late. He was blind and deaf and he did not understand, she remembered her own children and the way they had been and for a moment a longing for more babies grew so deep within in her she had to tamper it down quickly. She wanted and needed to be needed, but she did not know how soon that would happen again, so there was no use thinking on it.

His twitching nose touched a cold surface and like a shock it sent him reeling backward. A sneeze clawed its way up and out, sending the pup's thin layer of back hair skyward as his hackles pricked for the first time. Kevlyn thumped the ground with his tail and reached out his nose again, sniffing more cautiously than before and hoping he wouldn't get the same response.

Of course, it was overreaction on a gross scale. The babe knew nothing of the world he lived in except the milk of his mother, the soft plush fur of her stomach, and his chubby siblings. Neither of his parents had yet brushed their nose against his, so it was the first time he had ever felt what a wolf's nose felt like. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to touch it again but, perhaps, a little less suddenly.

Thistle bit back a bark of laughter it was so cute the overreaction. The boy was adorable and she really just wanted to love all over him with nuzzles and licks, but she minded herself. After all firstly they were not her own children. Secondly, she felt she had scared the poor puppy enough today.

Thistle saw him sniffing cautiously and she couldn't help but smile. However, this time rather than meet him, she waited quietly for him to find her. She held her nose in the same position and her body. Keeping so still, was a little bit harder than she cared to admit, but she would do it. So as to not scare him.

Some minor powerplay here, let me know if it's not cool!

His exploration took an extremely long time. Thistle Cloud held admirably still for the entirety of it, from the moment Kevlyn's nose softly bumped hers to the moment he clambered over her snout like some sort of obnoxious insect. He slid down the other side of her snout, landing on the floor with a squeak and muffled whining, but deemed his exploration complete and lost interest.

Now he began to worm his way back toward Julooke, as though Thistle Cloud had never been there at all. One might call him ungrateful for the visit and in truth he was. He simply couldn't comprehend the concept of politeness or spare even the tiniest thought for the being in the doorway, for the tiniest thought was his only thought and it was currently preoccupied with finding food. Still, although he was being clearly rude, Thistle Cloud's scent would live in his memory until the day he met her on more intelligent terms.

Thistle stayed still and did not move, not even a whisker. For a moment she felt as if she forgot to breathe even. Thistle had to stifle a giggle when he clamored over her snout and slid to the other side. She wanted to nose him gently to make sure he was alright, but he got up quickly and toddled off.

Thistle did not mind that he ran himself back towards his mother. Well not so much ran as crawled back towards her. She watched him go, nudged her friend gently with her muzzle and then backed out of the den towards her own home.

Thistle Cloud left with a soft whoosh of air that drew the pup's attention back to the den entrance. He seemed to teeter on the spot before slowly turning himself toward the opening, but before Kevlyn could go anywhere, Verrine replaced the Alpha female in the den entrance.

The father remained there until his young son was brought back into Julooke's embrace. Only when he was suckling contentedly did Verrine return to his previous watch over his mate's den.