Ravensblood Forest Mom, you're smothering me!

All welcome! Lorelai's pups have entered the socialization stage <3

Her whelps were nearly a month old by now, and today was their first day leaving the den. Lorelai brought them just outside of the caverns, right to the spring, which had thawed. Here, she gave a soft howl, alerting whoever might want to meet her pups. Still, she was nervous, keeping them smotheringly close, her paw wrapped about them, nearly trapping them to her side.

The world had definitely changed since her eyes had opened - it was clear, crisp, with too many colors and textures to name. As soon as her mother gave her and her sister the okay, Lenora made to bound out of the den, letting off her own high-pitched, warbling howl. But, her mother wrapped a foreleg about her, pulling her close. "Ma! Leggo me!" the girl protested, fidgeting. She wanted to explore!

Avery lifted his nose to the air, enjoying the crisp spring air. He had been lounging on the sun rock when he recognized Lorelai's howl. He knew it wasn't one of urgency, but his curiosity was peaked nonetheless. 

He jumped off the rock, his weight landing on his one leg, he grunted and was on the move once more. As the spring came into sight he saw Lorelai with her pups. 

Finally, time to play! He smiled as he slowly moved closer, still keeping his distance, before bowing towards the closest pup at Lorelai's side, his tail swishing back and forth in the air.

A big man with three legs came to her, bowing in play just as she and Lennox did every day. Her head tilted to the side, ears still slightly floppy, and she asked, "Hey! Um... wh - how come you got three legs?! Did a bear eat it??" She fought free of her mother's grasp, who had gasped and was now scolding her about "nice to people who are different than you", but she wasn't really listening - she'd honestly already gotten over the shock, and she darted towards him, ready to bite ankles.

Avery couldn't help chuckling at the pup's reaction to him. Before he knew it she had wriggled free from Lorelai's grasp and was darting towards him. He quickly moved backwards before he shot back at Lorelai, "Don't worry, I got this!" He began to circle their gathering, trying to dodge the pups.

Lorelai hadn't managed to keep her hold on Lenora, but Lennox wasn't an issue; she simply watched her sister and Avery play. Every so often, Lorelai would gasp and say, "Careful, careful!" as they played. More than anything, she didn't want Lenora to hurt herself - or bite Avery too hard.

Lenora was doing everything she could to keep pace with the male; she gave excited barks and yelps, jumping forward to gnaw at his legs and sides, while trying to dodge him. She wasn't as mobile as him though, so eventually she tripped, but she just shook out the dust and carried on, barking herself hoarse.

Avery finally grew dizzy, he allowed himself to drop to the ground laughing and saying, "Alright, you win, I give up!"

Avery had given in, and Lorelai quickly swooped in, grasping Lenora by the scruff and bringing her back to the den entrance, despite her protesting. "That's enough playtime for today," she said, slightly anxious as she began to groom her daughter. She shot a guilty sort of grin to Avery. "Thanks for playing with her. She has... a lot of energy."

Lenora was ushered away just as soon as she'd achieved victory. Lenora growled as her mother picked her up, but she could do nothing but hang helplessly until she was set down. "Thanks for playing!" she barked to Avery, little tail wagging. It had been fun, but now she was ready for a nap. She yawned just then, just for her mother to giggle and roll her eyes, before starting to bring her pups in for sleep.

"See you soon, little one!" Avery had just enough time to chuckle out before Lorelai had taken her pups back inside. She had grown into a wonderful mother, her pups were very well cared for, as were his own. If a little, over protected, but of course he preferred it that way.