Quentin & Shrike

The pups had been left alone for nearly two hours before the sound of approaching footsteps woke Shrike from his slumber. For a moment, the youngster panicked, finding his nose swamped by foreign scents, and his eyes adjusting to the most bizarre looking den... and then it all came back to him, and he remembered where he was. They were still in the human den. "Scorp, hey! Psst, Scorpy." He nudged his cousin, and gave him a nip on the ear in an attempt to rouse him.

Soon the door was opening, and Quentin was striding in once more. He had in hand a partially chewed deer antler and a well-worn rope toy that faintly bore the scent of another canine. These two items were placed on the floor as Quentin himself sat down, speaking a few murmured words before folding open a book. From this he began to read out loud, his voice low and quiet. Shrike perked his ears at this, cautiously studying the man... but the man rarely even glanced in his direction, and simply continued to read from the book.

Scorponock

Scorpnock yawned as he woke up. He shook himself out and growled as teh human came in. He watched him warily. He heard the strange verbal speach but the human paid them little heed. His tail flicked as he slowly began to approach the things he had placed on the floor. At first he was gonna go for the bone but then the scent of canine on it and he made to grab it and pull it away from the human to investigate it more.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike froze against the back wall, staring at the man as he sat down with the strange object in hand. He cocked his head at the words Quentin spoke, and waiting for the creature to turn and try to grab one of them. But Quentin didn't move from where he'd seated himself, other than to occasionally turn a page in his book and keep reading. Slowly, curiosity began to break down that feeble barrier of fear, and Shrike was soon stepping closer to the man and the two toys he'd brought with him.

"Hey, is that a deer antler?" He questioned, eyes briefly flicking to the bone that Scorp was dragging back. Quentin made no move to stop them. Shrike's confidence rose a little more, and he dared to turn his back on the human to sniff at the bone, "Oooh, that smells like another wolf! But, kind different." He glanced back again, yet still the human hadn't made a move towards them.

Scorponock

He sniffed the bone wondering why it smelt of a canine like them.I don't knowHe said as he then began to chew on it. Might as well make due with what they were given. He knew they weren't getting free that easily.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike took the chew toy and dragged it back by his cousin, all while shooting glances at Quentin to see what he'd do. And other than occasionally lifting his eyes to them, the man did remarkably little. Confused, Shrike plopped back on his hindquarters, "Dad and Starscream told us humans were so bad and dangerous, but... do you think they were wrong? I mean, this human is giving us food and toys, and took us to his den." He frowned in thought, tilting his head again as if it aided his meandering mind. "Hey, I know... you should go touch him! Poke him with your nose, and see what he does!"

Scorpnock

Scorponock listened to him as he chewed the bone. I don't know could be waiting till we're older to do somethingHe said. Then tilted his head as he debated teh idea. He really shouldn't listen to shrike look where he got them? But he got up and tail up and stiff ears back and fur a bit bristled he moved forward and began sniffing around him and then poking his leg.

Quentin & Shrike

"Think so?" Shrike questioned, "But why? He hasn't put a collar on us like he did to your mom and dad." As he mentioned Tayzeka and Starscream, Shrike felt the sudden pang of being homesick, and wanting to see his own parents. His ears went back for a moment and his shoulder slumped, but before he could get too far into those thoughts, his cousin had taken up his challenge and was cautiously moving forward.

Shrike's ears perked and he stood, tail slowly waving behind him. He held his breath and watched the man's face as Scorponok got closer and closer, then leaned forward to poke one of the legs. Shrike's mouth was nearly agape as he waited for a response... only to be disappointed when Quentin merely glanced up from his book and murmured a quiet word to Scorp. 'That was it?' Disappointed, Shrike whispered loudly, "He barely noticed that! Touch him with your paw now!"

Scorponock

He was curious. Sure but maybe its cause of our ageHe said. He poked at the humans leg and then pawed at his leg warily. His ears bak.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike nodded slowly to his cousin's theory, "Yeah, that's true." His brows bunched together then, his mind coming to a new conclusion. "Do you think he's gonna make us pets?" Whatever the answer to that ponder was, the youngster's attention shifted abruptly back to the human and how he was going to react to Scorp's prodding.

This time there was a little more action, if barely. The man did glance up from his book, and shifted one hand to the floor, a few inches from the wary Scorponok. He didn't reach to pet the wolf, for he saw the way the ears were laid back and didn't want to push the youngster too far. But he did tap his fingers against the ground to catch the pup's attention and curiosity.

Scorponock

He listened to his brother till the males hand dropped to the floor and fingers started tapping on the floor and he turned toward it. His little puppy teeth bared and growling his fur raised but he remained there.

Quentin & Shrike

As soon as those fangs were bared, Quentin showed no attention to the pup and let his fingers remain still. He went back to his reading, while occasionally murmuring something out loud.

Shrike studied the man's face intensely, expecting there to be anger there in response to his cousin's growling. But the face was calm, relaxed, unbothered. Not even a twinge of fear, either. Puzzled, the youngster began to scoot closer himself, "If you keep growling at him, he might pick you up again!" The adolescent paused a foot away from the man and stretched his neck forward, sniffing at the fellow's clothes. "I wonder what he's saying. It's so weird that they can't talk like normal."

Scorponock

He nodded as he stopped growling and now sniffed the hand his tail rigid.

Quentin & Shrike

The hand remained perfectly still and relaxed, this time not moving when Scorponok drew closer to sniff it. Shrike tensed for a moment, but when nothing happened again, he slunk towards the hand and sniffed it too. "Look at that Scorp, he has no claws!" His wet nose hovered over one of the man's digits, studiyng the smoothly trimmed nail that had no sharpness to it whatsoever. "He surely cant climb or dig very well." Confidence returning, the adolescent raised his muzzle and sniffed at the man's clothes. Numerous scents clung to the soft material, mostly unknown to the youngster, but all of them were fascinating. "He doesn't have much for fur, other than his head. He'd be as bare as a newborn mouse if it wasn't for these skins he's wearing. Really, he doesn't seem all that dangerous, other than his grippy hands."

Scorponock

He listened to him as he sniffed his hadn.i wonder if he taste good?He said and then attempted to bite the mans hand.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike nodded, "Ooooh, that's a good question!" Disregarding the obvious consequences that could come from such an investigation, Shrike plopped back on his haunches and watched expectantly as his cousin bravely leaned in and sunk his little teeth into the man's hand.

"Hey!" A gruff noise was barked out and Shrike watched the man's expression immediately devolve into something dangerous looking. Startled, the adolescent pinned his ears and scuttled back with a bark of alarm. Quentin's reaction was swift, and he reached to grab the offending Scorp by the scruff and haul him briskly up in the air...

Scorponock

Scorp teeth sunk in and then he yelped in suprise as he was briskly lifted into the air by his scruff. His body due to being still young enough went limp. His ears back.

Quentin & Shrike

Scorp was lofted up and held directly in front of Quentin's face, and the expression he wore was unmistakably angry. Brows pinched together, deep lines creasing his forehead, and eyes that made Shrike cower back further. This was the first time he'd truly seen the man look aggressive, and the adolescent debated on whether or not he should jump forward and attack the man. Fear ultimately kept him in place, watching with wide, horrified eyes as his cousin was brought in front of the man's face. "No, don't eat Scorp! Please don't eat him!"

Instead of trying to eat the pup, Quentin lashed him with angry sounding words, with one standing out in particular. "No." They weren't shouted or overly loud, but the deepness in his tones made it clear that Quentin was not happy with Scorp, and after a few harrowing moments of this uncomfortable stare down and verbal lecture, the pup was set on the ground again.

Scorponock

The pup remained limp in his hand as the males tone suggested anger. And even though he didn't fully understand what the man said it sounded similiar to when his parents said No. When he was put back down he ran back to Shrike and hid behind him.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike gave his cousin a wide-eyed look of 'Oooh crap!' when he came skittering behind him. Those big eyes darted back to Quentin, whose face was now relaxed again, as if nothing had happened. There were little indentations in the fellow's hands, but his skin was relatively tough, and he'd been quick enough to stop Scorp before any actual punctures were made.

"..maybe we don't do that again." Shrike muttered, while still keep his gaze pinned on the human. "Are you okay? He sounded like my dad when he's angry."

Scorponock

He stayed cowered for a moment longer before sitting up.im fine...he said. You think he'll bring us home?He said tilting his head.

Quentin & Shrike

"I dunno." Shrike admitted, watching the man again as he flipped another page in his book. "Maybe he's waiting for the storm to go away before he takes us home?" There was little hope in the adolescent's voice as he suggested this though, as he himself didn't believe the man had any intention of bringing them home. Especially after dropping Piper off somewhere far from the Aspen Grove. "Maybe we can run past his legs when he opens the door next?"

Scorponock

He missed piper.I want to know what he did with piper He whined. Lets try

Quentin & Shrike

That ache for family began to settle into Shrike now, weighing more heavily on his mind after her heard his cousin's whine. He plopped his head down on his paws and kept his eyes on the man who continued reading his book, "We'll find Piper, don't worry."

It would be another thirty minutes before Quentin finished reading his book. Quietly, and with slow movements, the man hoisted himself off the ground and reached for the door handle. Shrike tensed, and glanced back at Scorp with wide, excited eyes. Attention darting back to Quentin, he waited until the door was halfway open and the man was raising a foot to step out. In a burst of energy, the adolescent leaped up from the ground and slipped past Quentin's legs, bolting into a hallway that led to the kitchen and main room...

Scorponock

Scorponock followed suit. hoping to make it by being smaller. But he was slower.

Quentin & Shrike

The human barked out a startled, irritated noise as Shrike dove between his legs and scampered by. He felt fingers brush past his back and tail, but Quentin hadn't been quite quick enough to nab him. Scorponok, on the other hand, wasn't so quick as his elder cousin, and Quentin quickly turned his attention to the second pup. Swinging his arms, he tried to scoop one hand beneath the pup, and grasp the other over Scorp's nape...

Meanwhile, not realizing his cousin wasn't directly behind him, Shrike bolted into the living room, having no clue which way to go to find the exit, or that he wouldn't be able to open the door even if he did stumble across it.

Scorponock

He was almost by when a hand went under him and he turned his head up to stop him from grabbing his nape as he growled and tried to get free.

Quentin & Shrike

There were so many new sights and scents, Shrike was a little overwhelmed as he sprinted around the living room. The scent of old books, a cup of now-cold tea on a side table, and some floral note filled his nares. The adolescent stopped and looked around, and was startled when his eyes landed on a small picture sitting atop a short bookcase. There were humans in it, and one of them appeared to be Quentin, "Scorp, oh my gosh! There's more of him! There's little humans in here!"

Quentin was just beginning to stand up when Scorp struggled and tossed his head back. Shrike's barking further distracted him, just enough for Scorp to wiggle out of his hold and drop to the ground...

Scorponock

He stayed where he fell for a moment before bolting toward his cousin. We need to find a way out!He said as he began looking around the room and then frowned. He needed to go to the bathroom and found a plant nearby and lifted his leg and went unaware that it wasn't outside or acceptable.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike was still staring at the picture in confused awe when his cousin came tearing into the room and b-lined for a large peace lily. "Yeah, you're right! He made the wall move when he came inside - he just pulled on this little round thing, and a whole piece of wall opened up and then closed behind him."

Quentin was not far behind, and as he came through the living room, his eyes immediately landed on the puppy with a lifted leg. He shouted some word that made Shrike flatten his ears and rushed at Scorponok, trying to scoop the youngster up and rush him to the backyard...

,hr> Scorponock

Scorponock listened and yelped when he was scooped up and well he went shocked into it now. He couldn't of held it in if he had wanted to then. His ears went back.

Quentin & Shrike

Further noises of protest sounded from them man as Scorponok made a mess of the floor, the area of splatter damage made worse because Quentin had picked up and carried the pup across the room. His brows dipped steeply downward, forming an irritated scowl that made Shrike cower and scramble back beneath one of the chairs when he saw it. "Oh man, Scorp, I don't think he liked that! He probably thinks you're trying to claim his den!" Worried for his couin's safety, Shrike peeked his head out from beneath the chair and barked at the human, "He was just scared, that's all! He didn't mean to pee on you and your den!"

The barking only seemed to irritate the man further, but instead of biting Scorp - as Shrike was sure would happen - Quentin carried him the rest of the way to the door, opened it up, and set Scorponok down on the snow-covered lawn. The storm had stopped now, with with tall wooden fencing surrounding the backyard, the area was closed in and secure.

Moments later, Quentin was stepping back outside, this time with Shrike in hand. The older adolescent was plopped down next, while the man returned inside.

Scroponock

His tail was tucked tight under him after and he glanced warily around the back yard. He could see the walls around the place. He slowly began t investigate the backyawrd.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike was not happy to be back out in the cold snow, but the storm had at least stopped, and with dry fur and no blowing wind, it was much easier to keep warm. "Did he just let us go?" The pup watched through the glass sliding door as Quentin briefly disappeared, only to return a few moments later with a towel and a bottle of cleaning spray to begin scrubbing up the mess left by Scorponok.

After a few moments of watching this, Shrike looked back at his cousin, and to the walls that surrounded the yard. "Uh oh, those are tall... are there any holes?" Losing interest in Quentin, the adolescent began to circle about the yard too.

There would be no holes for them to squeeze through, but Scorponok would come across an old chew bone beneath a small tree in the corner of the yard. It was heavily worn by someone else's teeth, but their scent was very faint, and rather old.

Scorponock

He began searching but only found the old bone which he picked up and moved back to the porch.Nope no holeshe said and began chewing on the bone.

Quentin & Shrike

Shrike stubbornly circled around the lot several times, and tried pressing his weight against the wooden fence. Alas, the fence was much stronger than he, and as Scorponok had already confirmed, there were no holes to squeeze through to escape. Eventually he gave up and sauntered back to the porch were his cousin was now gnawing away at the bone. "I don't get all these walls, Scorp. How does he keep an eye on his territory if he can't see past them? Humans are weird." Frustrated by how confined he felt, Shrike plopped down and started chewing at the other end of the bone.

Scorponock

He growled as he chewed.I don't knowHe said.