Argolis & Others

In the past few months, Argolis had been especially vigilant about protecting their territory, and the Aegis Den in particular. He kept the falcons busy in the skies, and ordered his pack members on longer and more frequent patrols of their borders and prime scavenging areas. The alpha male had also insisted that Dixie eat first before anyone else, and on two occasions had called upon his cousin Ankh to bring them a sheep from one of the farms out in the country. He spared no expense for his mate and future offspring, and was devoting to keeping the Den secure while she was so vulnerable.

When at last the pups were born, Argolis' ultra-defensive nature hadn't eased up much, and in addition to adding more patrols of the Alleys, he'd also insisted on at least five pack members staying in the Den at all times to ensure Dixie remained safe. Perhaps it was overkill... but then, the Lurkers had the strength and resources to flout, and Argolis wasn't afraid of using them. Today, the brindle male was striding back to the Den with a freshly killed domestic rabbit in his jaws, which he had craftily stolen from someone's backyard. With he carcass still warm, he sought out Dixie to offer the meal.

Dixie

Dixie felt like she had not left the Aegis Den in ages. Ever since she had become pregnant with Argolis’ pups, he had kept finding some reason to keep her inside. She marked it up to his overprotective nature. So, she didn’t mind too much. Though every opportunity that she got she would go for a walk with her best friend, Holly. At least with Holly around to help protect her they had been oked to at least walk around some. Though, it never took long before Argolis came to find her, making sure she was still healthy.

Then the pups had been born. This litter was larger than her first, and despite all of the extra food Argolis had been ensuring that she ate, she had found herself exhausted. The pups were still very young, just old enough to be moving around but not old enough to go far. Dixie lifted her head from where it had been laying on her outstretched legs as she heard someone approaching her. The scent told her it was Argolis. She didn’t bother to stand and make sure this was the case, she knew she was safe here.

How are things on the outside? She joked with her mate as he came within hearing range. She saw the rabbit and knew that it was probably something else for her to eat. She didn’t know how she would get her figure back like this. But, she just wagged her tail and waited for him to speak.

Argolis & Others

The rabbit was dropped down in front of Dixie, freeing Argolis to give her a quick nuzzle to her cheek, then a sniff over of their five young children. "Mostly quiet and a bit on the boring side." His response to her was a little delayed, because he was busy examining the tiny furballs clustered around Dixie, and musing over how he had once been so small and helpless. When he did sit back and look at her, there was a grin on his muzzle for the joke she'd offered, "The only action I've seen all week was when some stray tried to pick a fight with Pistol and Learna over some human food. Unfortunately, they had him taken care of before I could even get there." As mildly dejected as he sounded about that, Argolis was happy for the lull in conflict around the Alleys, if only because it meant less danger for Dixie and the pups. "So how's everyone doing here?" Casual comments aside, Argolis was looking back at the pups, and in particular, Desiree. Though they were all quite tiny still, he could see that she was the smallest, and it had him slightly worried, as it would any first-time father. What he didn't know was that Scape, the largest in the litter, was just as vulnerable as her, if only because his immune system was so poor. The brindle puppy stuck close to Dixie at all times, using touch and smell to guide him, while Gwen, the second smallest pup, was prone to crawling short distances away from her mother, and would more actively play with her other siblings.

Dixie

Dixie stood from where she had been laying with the pups as Argolis dropped the rabbit and began to inspect the tiny fuzzy bundles. As far as she could tell, their little family was doing well. What Desiree lacked in size she made up for in spunk. That much was made evident as she let out a little growl and yip as Argolis sniffed her, causing her to wake from her nap. She would be a sassy one, no doubt about that. Dixie lowered her muzzle to the rabbit, beginning to devour the meal. She wasn't used to eating so much but she knew it would be best for the pups if she did. Though, she couldn't finish the whole rabbit at the moment, only being able to eat a few large bites. By then Argolis had spoken of the incident with the stray and the two pack members. Dixie only nodded, knowing that he had probably seen much more action than her. She wasn't one to complain, though. Then Argolis asked how things here had been doing as Cameo had slowly made her way over to Argolis, climbing all over his paws. Dixie spoke. The pups seem to be getting stronger each day. And they are growing very much into their own personalities... She spoke in a reassuring manner. Nico then took the opportunity to begin a game with Gwen, growling playfully.

Argolis & Others

As much as Argolis wanted to encourage Dixie to eat the whole rabbit, he figured she had been getting more than enough food since her pregnancy. Besides, compared to the skinny, half-starved boxer that he'd invited into the pack a year and a half ago, today Dixie looked to be the picture of great health, and as far as he could tell, the pups were doing fine too. "They are getting more active." Looking down at the squirming bundles of fluff, Argolis made this observation, then cocked his head to the side and gentle nudged Cameo with his paw to playfully roll the pup over. Quietly watching from napping place in the corner of the building, Lerna smiled to herself at the sight. Her brother was such a hot-headed, aggressive individual, it was almost funny to see him being so cautious and gentle with his young children. "The weather is turning nice, much sooner than I expected. By the time they're able to walk and run, it'll be warm enough for them to explore outside." His eyes switched to Nico when the pup growled. Gwen growled right back and pushed her stubby little legs against the ground to try and climb over the top of her brother and bit at his ears.

Dixie

Dixie couldn't wait until her pups were old enough that they could go out and explore. She was more than ready to leave the confinement of this building. Don't get me wrong, she loved this place and she wouldn't leave it for anything. She just wanted to be able to move around some more. She nodded as Argolis stated that they were getting more active. Indeed they were and they would only continue to get more and more active as time went on. Cameo yipped playfully as her father nudged her over onto her back. Argolis then stated that the weather was turning nice and she nodded once more. That is a good thing, I can't wait to take them outside and let them explore. She spoke honestly to him with a proud smile on her kissers. Nico shook his head as his sister bit at his ears before he tried to turn around as much as possible to chew on her leg.