Aakari & Orcai

In the darkness of the den, Aakari's cold eyes were open wide. It was her ears, though, that were focused on the sounds around and above her, making sure she and her offspring remained safe. They were barely a month old, and already she'd had to move them to a new den after the scent of humans was found on and around the old site after she'd left for a brief hunt. She'd even caught one human near their favorite watering hole, and had howled angrily until the creature skittered away and left the territory. Their presence made her nervous, but she'd come to learn that they were easily frightened away with a warning howl, and she'd made a point to remark any areas she caught their scent in.

The strategy seemed to work, for she had smelled the humans near the new den only once, and after an angry howl to condemn their intrusion, they hadn't returned. One of those stupid rocks had shown up a few yards away, but at least it didn't smell like the two-leggers, and seemed innocuous enough. Aakari had quickly forgotten about it, and as weariness slowly begged her eyelids to lower, little Orcai decided to investigate.

The youngster scampered quietly up the tunnel and blinked at the bright world that opened up past the mouth of the den. Her tiny nose wiggled, catching a myriad of scents that she would one day be able to identify, but for now were just a delightful taste of freedom. Orcai was further enamored by the sensation of sun-warmed earth beneath her paws, and the soft breeze that rustled through the ferns and pines. Her tail began to wag, and she plodded further another few feet.

Dovahkiin

Dovahkiin hadn't slept much since his son and daughters entered the world. Part of it was fed from the presence of the humans in their territory following Aakari's birth, part of it was sheerly based on the brute's excitement alone. Their pups. He remembered the swell of pride in his chest when he had finally been able to scurry into the underground den to greet them. An exhausted Aakari, though still regal and proud, and three little bundles of yawning fur nestled at her side. Dovah could hardly wrap his mind around how absolutely lucky he was. Months ago, the thought of settling down with a wonderful mate, in their own territory, and having pups seemed so distant, nearly celestial in tangibility. But, here he was. Here they were.

The alpha male snoozes in the grassy clearing near the mouth of their second den. The forest floor is dappled with sunshine splitting through the emerald leaves of the trees. There's a gentle sway in the branches, fingers of wind sweeping through the tall grass around him. Midday naps have saved Dovah from exhaustion. He spends a majority of his day patrolling and hunting for his family, or simply guarding the den. Sweetclover has teased him on numerous occasions for taking this so seriously, but how can he not? He'd lay down his life for Aakari and these pups.

From the den, a rambunctious Cerberus shoulders his way to the mouth of the den just a few steps behind Orcai. His little nose twitches as he paws his way to the threshold, gazing out into the dazzling light with a grunt. He sights Dovahkiin, recognizing the male's scent as their father. The ebony-colored male twitches with a bit of mischief, glancing at his sister. In a low whisper he says, "Let's surprise him." His shoulders drop as he hunches into a crouch, puppy blue eyes shimmering as he creeps forward, tail wagging to beckon Orcai to follow.

Back in the den, Ptolema takes her time. She's content with lounging with her mother, and prefers to stay put. The small she-pup nestles comfortably against Aakari's side, little eyes gazing into the darkness where her two siblings had tumbled, plodding up towards the light. She could hear their little whispers echo down the dirt tunnel, ears twitching as a jolt of curiosity travels down her spine. But she remains rooted in her place, waiting patiently for Aakari to display the desire to embark for the outside world.

Aakari, & Orcai

Orcai's stubby tail begins to wag in near sync with her brother's, and a single milk tooth is exposed in a mischievous grin. "Yeah!" Her vocals might have been a stitch too loud for one trying to be sneaky, but little Orcai's excitement couldn't be contained as she scampered after her brother and on towards the mountain of black and white fur slumbering nearby. She stopped a full foot away from Dovahkiin and dropped into a crouch, tail still cheerfully animated behind her. With a playful growl beginning to roll in her throat, she casts her sibling a side-glance before pouncing forward and trying to grab herself a mouthful of Dovah ear...

The whispering voices of her children had already stirred Aakari from her light sleep. Her muscles had tensed, ready to propel her out of the den if need be, but two things had caused her pause. One, she'd earlier heard and scented Dovahkiin above, and had utmost trust in her mate as a protector of their offspring. She knew Cerebrus and Orcai were in safe, devoted paws. Secondly, there was a bundle of fur cuddled next to her that she was loathe to disturb. Little Ptolema. Aakari smiled in the darkness and turned a caressing tongue over the youngster, "Awake from your nap already?" Not more than a few months ago, Aakari couldn't have imagined showing such tenderness to anyone other than Dovah, and even then she wasn't always the most cuddly wolf. But having these pups, and having a mate as doting as Dovah had opened up a spot of softness in the rigid alpha.

Dovahkiin

Dovah's sleep was broken by the two excited, hush voices at the mouth of the den. It had been a light nap, anyhow, but he was fully shaken by the plotting of his pups. The alpha male didn't bother open his eyes, well aware of Cerberus and Orcai's prowling between their thumping paws and their rapid, excited breaths. Yet he remained pleasantly "unaware" in demeanor, even squeaking a fake snore from his maw in an attempt to fool his children. Once the pups were close enough, Dovah's honey-brown eyes cracked open just as Orcai lunges for his ear and Cerberus, with a squeaking battlecry, for one of his father's back paws. The alpha gives a mock cry of surprise, heralding dramatically, "Oh no! Intruders in the territory!" He gives a shake of his head once Orcai's teeth close in around his ear, and kicking his victimized leg from Cerberus, in an attempt to shake his "attackers."

Back within the confines of the den, Ptolema nuzzled against her mother's fur as her mother recognizes her waking state. Baby blue eyes blink at her mother, nodding softly with a little yawn. "Orcai and Cerberus didn't wait for you to wake up," Ptolema reports, though her mother is already well-aware of that fact. From above, the noise of Dovah versus the pups is underway and Ptolema perks with interest. She isn't the rambunctious or adventurous of the group, but her itching paws suddenly gather underneath her as she hears the little din. The primitive instinct to join her siblings tugs at her pelt. She glances at Aakari with a head tilt, announcing with a jolt of audacity,"I bet they need my help!" before plunging towards the tunnel.

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Dovahkiin's ruse was a good one, with little Orcai being none the wiser that her father as actually perfectly aware of their approach. Thinking she was a pretty darn good hunter, the pup growled in ferocious delight when she actually managed to take an ear between her jaws, and hang on for dear life when Dovah 'tried' to shake her off. With strong coordination still in the works in her growing body, it didn't take much for Orcai to finally loose her balance and topple away from her dad's head, but she was rolling back to her paws a second later and offering a defiant battle cry, "Hold him down!" Now her tail was flying a mile a minute as she pounced forward again, with the intention of climbing onto his neck and grabbing a mouthful of fur there.

There is a slight frown on Aakari's face, though her voice was soft and mostly free of the mild disapproval she felt at their unannounced escape, "No, they didn't. It's a good thing their father as up there, and not a hungry bear." Her ability to more firmly chastise her children would certainly grow as they became more rambunctious, but for now, she let this issue slide. The frown subsides as quickly as it had appeared, and a smile took its place to hear her mate contend with the two youngsters. "I think they will need your help. I think his tail is quite ticklish..."

Sweetclover was soon upon the scene, dragging with her a haunch of deer, somewhat-freshly picked from the side of a road. There was a brief flattening of ears as the breached the perimeter of the den site, a silent recognition of Dovah's status, before she stepped onward and deposited the meat a few yards from the wrestling cubs. The old fae sat back on her haunches, "I see you're having an eventful morning?"

Dovahkiin

Cerberus gives a squeaking, though gutteral, growl as he is thrown from his clamp upon his father's leg. The dark colored pup tumbles across the dirt, thrusting himself back onto his paws and barreling for his target with fervor. Following Orcai's suggestion, Cerberus leaps and clamors onto Dovah's hindquarter. Little milk teeth bare, sinking into the think fur along his father's back. Cerberus isn't aware that his mouthful of fur isn't very antagonizing, nor does it truly aggravate Dovah, but the wash of pride ripples through his little body nonetheless.

A laugh seizes Dovahkiin as both Orcai and Cerberus quickly leap back into the fray. One pup latched to the fur of his back, and the other scrambling up towards his neck. Dovah tilts his muzzle to Orcai, trying to scoop her off her paws and back onto the ground. "I'm a little tougher than that!" He wards with a gleam in his eyes. Ears twitch as he hears Sweetclover approach, the alpha male smiling softly in the fae's direction. "Just seasoning our newest defenders," Dovah remarks with a chuckle, glancing back at Orcai and Cerberus. "Though, they have an affinity for shredding my ears."

Back in the den, little Ptolema's eyes widen at the mere mention of the great, hungry bear. Her anxieties are calmed because, at least in her naive mind, her father and mother could destroy any predator like the bear. She didn't quite grasp the magnitude of trouble associated with the bear -- and, universe willing, maybe Ptolema never would have to. The little fae bounds forward once she's received her mother's blessing to disembark from the safety of the den, barreling out into the clearing with dazzled eyes. She's made it several strides before skittering to a stop, the brightness of the summer afternoon stinging her eyes. When she finally blinks and focuses, she sees Sweetclover returning with dinner. Suddenly distracted from her mission to assist Orcai and Cerberus, the little fae's tail begins to wag manically as she tumbles towards Sweetclover. "Did you hunt that deer all by yourself?" Ptolema exclaims. "Can I hunt with you next time?"

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

With fur between her jaws, Orcai shakes her head back and forth in her valiant effort to subdue the beast. Her perch on the side of her father's neck is a precarious one though, and it takes little more than a sweep of Dovah's snout to shift her balance and send the youngster in a backwards roll. She hits the ground with a soft thump and an 'oof!' before her flailing paws bring her back upright. Undaunted in her task, and as if she truly had a chance at defeating her father, a playful and challenging growl rises in her tiny throat, "Betcha' can't do that again!" And yet, before she can pounce back into the fray, her young mind is diverted by the scent of fresh food and the sound of her great-grandmother's voice. Orcai perks up immediately, "Can I have some?"

A chuckle rolls through the old fae, and she drops the haunch to the ground near Dovah, "Good thing I came when I did then. We can't have you missing your ears, now." Soft eyes fall upon Ptolema next, and her heart thrums with happiness to see the little ball of energy and excitement come dashing her way. Ptolema is gifted with a lick to the top of the head, "I had a little assistance in hunting this one." She wisely omits the source of the assistance, especially as Aakari is stepping out of the den at the same moment, arching her back and parting her jaws in a wide yawn. Another lick is bestowed on the youngster, "I could use your help next time though, when I hunt for rabbits. There's a warren not terribly far from here, and they're getting a little quick for my old bones to chase."

Finished with a much needed stretch, Aakari gives her fur a good shaking before plodding towards her mate and greeting him with a nuzzle, and then a prompt grooming of his fur where Orcai had mussed the coat. A single look was offered to Sweetclover, a brief flash of appreciation for the offered meat, before her gaze fell upon Cerebrus and Orcai, in a way that made the young daughter quickly glance away. "You two snuck out of the den without asking." Her tone was quiet, but there was a pointed note in there that caused Orcai to further shy away, mincing away from her father and over towards Sweetclover as she distractedly mumbled a lie, "....I smelled food, though."

Dovahkiin

No sooner had the assault began, the pups were sidetracked by Sweetclover's return. Cerberus rolls off of his father's side and lands in the dirt on all four paws, tail wagging furiously as he frolics towards his great-grandmother. Little spirits are dashed as Aakari's scold reaches Cerberus's ears, the male twitching his ears back with a wash of guilt. "We were only making sure the clearing was safe!" Cerberus objects, puffing his chest out proudly. Though, the clearing had been more than safe, and Cerberus and Orcai hadn't done more than terrorize their father's fur. But Cerberus is spirited and proud, and makes little time for regret in his actions. His tail continues to wag, making his rump wiggly a bit from the velocity. "I'm just trying to be a good guardian!"

Ptolema beams upwards at her great-grandmother, giving a little gasp at the mention of the rabbit warren. Her paws dance underneath her as she prances at Sweetclover's front paws. "I've been practicing my stalking! Dad told me I have to be light on my paws!" Ptolema yips, gushing out her recently obtained knowledge. "And don't hunt with the wind to your back!"

Dovahkiin flashes Sweetclover a little look of bemusement, wondering if the fae knew what she was getting into with such promises. The pups never seemed to forget a word their parents or Sweetclover breathed, and the rabbit hunting probably would be all that Ptolema mentioned for the next three sunrises. An amused chuckle rumbles in his chest, the male now flashing a glance at his approaching mate, who gently grooms his botched fur. He leans into her touch for a moment, reaching up to nudge her and offer a gentle lick to one of her ears. "You think they'll forget we promised to take them to the creek?" Dovah asks in a low voice, careful so that the pups do not catch wind of the mention. His brown eyes glint with mock-seriousness over the matter. With the harsh daytime temperatures, the alpha male had made the mistake of mentioning how enjoyable swimming was during the summer season. The fact hadn't been dismissed by their pups since it's accursed mention. "Cerberus mentioned it seven times total yesterday since I...unfortunately promised them an outing."

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

It wasn't long before Sweetclover had garnered the attention of all three pups, and a parade of wagging tails and thumping paws were headed her way in various states of distraction. Cerebrus more easily shrugged the guilt aside with a proclaimed necessity to secure the den's safety, while Orcai chose to place the blame on the remnants of deer carcass that lay at Clover's feet. Free from any chastisement, little Ptolema went right into conversation, and quickly had the old fae looking down at her with perked ears and an attentive smile, "Oh, is that so? Your father has good advice. And you'll need that, if you want to catch the rabbits - they are masters of agility and very light on their own feet." Sweetclover settled back on her haunches, "Why don't you show me how your practice has been going? See that fern over there, the one at the edge of that rock? Pretend that's a rabbit."

Aakari's eyes narrowed a smidgen, in a way that said she didn't entirely buy either of their stories, "Next time, you ask before you leave the den." And yet, rather than argue with the youngsters, the mother relented with only a mild warning before letting her grandmother deal with their energy for the time being. It gave her and Dovah a brief reprieve as she settled in next to her other half. "No, I can't imagine so. Once they've exhausted Clover, I'm sure he'll be the first to remind us of that promise. If not Cerebrus, then Orcai." The alphess stretched her front legs and gave a small yawn, enjoying every second of this quiet moment with Dovahkiin, especially since they would likely have their paws full later. "On the bright side, a romp through the creek will wear them out for a good nap later this evening."

Dovahkiin

Ptolema's tail was moving a mile a minute as she suddenly drops her upper half towards the dirt, chest brushing against the ground. Her rear still pokes into the air, her tail relentlessly a flag to her position. Was she truly trying to hunt, the prowling wouldn't do her much good in stealth. The determined pup prowls towards the unsuspecting fern, her rear dropping a little because of the lack of mobility in her previous crouch. She's several inches from the fern when she suddenly springs off her haunches, grabbing the leaves in her puppy teeth and yanking them from the stem. "See?" she triumphantly barks, twirling around to Sweetclover for approval.

Cerberus watches his little sister approach the fern, the male wiggling with excitement. He's already long forgotten his mother's scoff, attention fully devoted to the new task at hand: proving he was a formidable hunter to-be. "Oh! I can do that too!" Cerberus announces proudly, sinking his body close to the ground. His form is a little more perfected than his sister's, but he snakes forward so quickly and impatiently that he sidesteps and falls on his haunches. The pup gives a little huff of disdain as he rolls back up from the dirt, giving his pelt a firm shake. "That was a bad take," Cerberus claims, little eyes narrowing as he glances at his great-grandmother. "I'll practice before you take us to catch rabbits!"

Dovahkiin chuckles as he watches the trio of energy pester their great-grandmother, the tip of his tail twitching happily. "Honestly, a little swim wouldn't be half bad for the lot of us," Dovahkiin softly comments, tilting his head and squinting at the sunbeams dancing through the tree branches. Underneath the shadows of the forest, the temperature was relatively mild, but Dovah couldn't resist the thought of taking a dip in the cool waters, that notion only doubly tempting with the promise of exhausted pups tonight.

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Not to be outdone by her siblings, Orcai promptly turned about to find a likely fern as her target. "Watch me, grandma! I can do that too!" Taking her cues from her own sister, the dual-toned pup dropped her front end closer to the ground in something more reminiscent of a play bow than a true stalking pose. Her ears pressed forward and her nose wiggled, sucking in scents that she couldn't properly decipher yet. And then, with the abruptness of striking snake, Orcai abandoned her 'stealthy' posture and simply ran full-tilt towards the unsuspecting fern with little in the way of technique. She grabbed a frond between her teeth and gave it a good tug, along with a boisterous growl. Still clenching leaflets of green between her bright puppy teeth, Orcai raised her dial and looked expectantly at Sweetclover and her parents, waiting for praise.

"I can see you've been working on your stalking, Ptolema. Very nicely done. If that were a rabbit, you might have caught it." The elder wolf was not shy or skimpy in offering that praise, knowing right now it was better to build confidence, and then work on the criticism when they were a bit older and truly ready to start their training. Cerebrus was next in the run, choosing a stealthy route as well, but one that was a bit too rushed for his young legs. "Your form was spot on, Cerebrus. With a little more practice, you'll be catching rabbits left and right." And then there was Orcai, dropping all pretenses of being sneaky and quiet in her attempt, "Nicely done, Orcai. Not as stealthy as Cere and Lema, but decent paw-work."

The notion of going for a leisurely swim had initially been put out of Aakari's mind, even if it did sound rather refreshing. That idea shifted when her mate suggested they all indulge in a little down time, and brought her mind back to their initially encounter at the beach. Fondness came to her eyes and she released a small sigh, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt if we all took a dip. It'd help shed the rest of this winter fluff." Though most of her winter coat was gone, there were still a few persistent tufts clinging to her, and it only added to the uncomfortable warmth. "When they're a little older, we'll have to take them to your cove at the Bay. Let them try their fangs at fishing."

Dovahkiin

The pups, writhing with delight over their grandmother's praise, have long forgotten their previous endeavors involving Dovah's pelt. Cerberus suddenly turns at Orcai, his little tail wagging as he launches himself at her and tries to wrestle her into the dust. "Intruder!" he growls, dubbing his sister as the 'enemy.' Cerberus gives a warning snarl, little teeth trying to sink into the fur along Orcai's neck. He's more squeaky than ferocious.

Ptolema decides to assist Orcai, instead of joining her brother's ruse. She bites down on his tail, trying to haul him off their sister. The little she-wolf gives a bark, eyes narrowed as she is determined to yank Cerberus away, despite being the smaller of the pups.

A fond smile creases Dovah's face as his mate mentions the beautiful, crystal waters of Orca Bay. A little hum of satisfaction rumbles in his chest as he quietly agrees with Aakari's suggestion. Without a doubt, their pups would not be short of adventures and genuine experiences. "We'll make the best hunters out of them yet," Dovah mentions with a hearty chuckle, nose pointing at the furious bunch of fur now combating on the forest floor. He watches Cerberus lunge at Orcai, touting her the villain, only to be somewhat thwarted by Ptolema's differing discretion. "They're already so eager. Cerberus and Orcai definitely have some...spunk...Ptolema a little more meek, but gladly follows the tracks her siblings make." His mahogany eyes dance over to Aakari with an arch in his facial features. "I'd like to say they get that more from their mother, but I'm sure, somewhere far north of here, my parents would challenge that notion."

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Orcai beams back at her grandmother, holding her ebony-furred face up and swinging her tail merrily. In her mind, she was a giant wolf like her mother and father, standing proudly over an equally large rabbit she had just masterfully slain, and not an awkward little pup with a bit of fern frond stuck to the side of her muzzle. Browns eyes dart expectantly to her parents for affirmation of her excellent hunting tactics, but the pair are having a quiet conversation rather than admiring her handiwork. The pup frowns, but before she can do anything to catch their attention, a squeaky growl has her turning back around towards her charging brother.

There's a moment of hesitation from Orcai that gives Cerebrus all the time he needs to land his ferocious bite. Milk teeth snag easily into the darker fur on the upper half of his sister's neck, and she responds with a growl equally as squeaky as his own as she twists around and tries to bite at his ear. "Nuu-uhh, you're the intruder!" A bit of unstable paw-work has Orcai tumbling to herself, but that doesn't stop her from trying to reach that ear, or drag it down with her if she'd gotten it already...

The sounds of play fighting draws an attentive ear from Aakari, who shifts her gaze just in time to see Ptolema jump into the fray in her sister's defense. The tangle of fluffy, sort-of-growling bundles of fur earns a smile from the wolf mother, and a nod of agreement to her mate's view on their progressing traits. "I can take credit for some of that spunk I suppose." A fond gleam settles into her yellow orbs, which soon switch back to her mate once she's assured that they're not playing too rough, "Come autumn, they should be ready to join us on soft hunts. And this afternoon, crayfish and frog hunting should be a good primer." She turned again to the trio of youngsters, feeling a touch of motherly pride and excitement at the simple idea of bringing them away from the den for the first time, even if it would be only a short trek.

Dovahkiin & Pups

A furious little snarl comes from Cerberus's mouth as his sisters choose to gang up on him. He twists as Ptolema betrays him, wiggling in the dirt with a little hiss. He tries to return the assault on Ptolema, only to find Orcai yanking on his ear. A firm little kick lands itself on Ptolema's nose, knocking the smaller pup back with a bit of a daze, giving Cerberus the moment to tug his ear free from Orcai and snap his little jaws in her direction. "You're just jealous!" Cerberus taunts, his stubby tail wagging furiously, the male pup pouncing forward at Orcai. "I'm the king of the forest!"

Bemused, there's a moment of elation as Dovah watches the rambunctious trio engage in their fighting. All three of them are brimming with energy and spirit, nothing short of their parents' own traits. While the little battle ensuing at the center of clearing is innocent enough, Dovah decides to intervene by tugging the furious furball, Cerberus. His little, boisterous words are short of igniting a little war amongst the proud pups. "Alrighty, Mr. King, even the king of the forest needs to keep his skin on," Dovah gently teases, his voice calming the little, annoyed growls emitting from Cerberus. Dovah runs his tongue over Cerberus, receiving a squeaky protest. "Your sisters are about to sweep the forest floor with your skin. You'll learn which battles to pick and run from....and this one, you are gravely outnumbered."

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

The ear slips from her teeth, prompting a scowl from the young fae. She moves to bounce forward and reclaim her hold, but a touch of uncertainty stays her assault as she realizes her sister is also on the ground after taking a paw to the nose, and a boisterous Cerebrus has his sights turned on her again. Orcai switches from offensive to defensive when her brother pounces towards her, and drops her front end to the ground, ready to roll onto her side and grab a mouthful of leg or chest fur, "Nuh-uh! Ptolema and I are the Queens of the forest!"

Before the two can continue their playful but escalating clash, a shadow sweeps over her and she pauses, looking up to see the form of her sire looming overhead and snagging Cerebrus in mid-attack. Her rump falls to the ground and she rolls onto her back, legs kicking playfully in the air as she bats at one of her dad's front limbs, "Dad is king of the forest." Orcai tilts her upside down head to better see her father, but before she can say more, Aakari is speaking.

"Now that you three are properly woken from your nap, your King has plans to lead us to a secret watering hole." The alphess is in a rare mood to entertain the youngster's imaginations, and do so with a look passed to her mate. "If you three can behave and keep from wandering."

Orcai immediately flips back onto her paws, eyes wide and tail all but shaking her hindend with its furious wagging, "I can behave!"

Dovahkiin

Ptolema stands dignified beside her sister as their father retracts Cerberus from this thrashing. Her little tail wags with certainty, chorusing just behind Orcai's words, "Yeah! We're the queens!" Baby blue puppy eyes sparkle as her attention is riveted by Aakari, the pup now bursting forth with renewed energy at the mention of the secret watering hole.

Cerberus, now defeated, slumps against his father's hold and gives a huffing sigh. Dovah sets the pup down on the dirt, Cerberus sidling into a sitting position with his shoulders slightly slumped. His bruised ego is hardly considered, though, as his mother mentions their new adventure. "Secret?" he echoes Aakari's words, his tail beating back and forth. He's on his paws once more, dancing at Aakari's feet. "We'll be on the best of behaviors. Promise!"

Dovah chuckles as he observes the endless amount of energy that his children exhume. Orcai, Ptolema and Cerberus certain gave their parents a run for their money. But the brute doesn't mind a single moment of it. His side gently brushes against Aakari as he peers down at each pup, gentle brown eyes stoic as he adds, "And if we don't behave, we get grounded to the den and the clearing. You hear?" His voice is stern and warning -- Ptolema's ears twitch as she heeds her father's warning, though Cerberus is only half-aware of the pending consequences to inappropriate actions. Dovah shakes his head a bit, tossing as glance in Aakari's direction as if to say 'we'll see how this goes.' before nudging Aakari's cheek. "Shall you lead the way?"

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

There's a brief moment where Orcai's frenetically waving tail slows and her ears slink back in instinctive response to that sternness in her sire's voice. And then that bubbling excitement bursts forth and she's pouncing past him and Aakari, taking a few brave steps beyond her parents. The pup doesn't travel far before turning around and dashing back, yipping her excitement as she bumps up against Cerebrus, "Can we go already?!"

Aakari had shared in that silent message with her mate, sending back a mutual 'shrug of the shoulders' expression. With three boisterous young things, it was anyone's guess as to how their behavior would play out. Would they be lucky enough to get obedient little angels this trip, or a trio of button-pushing hellions deaf to their parent's explicit orders? The alphess stole a glance to her grandmother, a silent request for her assistance today just in case they got the latter. She then offered her mate's cheek a reciprocal nuzzle before speaking, "Together now, everyone." Aakari set out from the den with a purposeful stride, though one that was slower than normal, allowing their three offspring to keep up without having to run.

Sweetclover fell in line behind the small family, offering Dovah some assistance in making sure the pups didn't stray from the trail, and in keeping an eye out for any potential dangers. Ahead, Aakari weaved her way through the ferns and low-laying vegetation of their territory, occasional cutting onto deer trails as she sought the easiest path for her children to follow. The trip took little more than fifteen minutes before the soft burble of water could be heard, and after passing through a collection of lichen-covered boulders, the white she-wolf stopped at the edge of a large pool of water. Here, a quiet stream met with an underground spring, one of numerous such spots in the forest. The water was not terribly deep, and more importantly, the current was exceptionally gentle, so there was no risk of a pup being swept away in the waters.

Dovahkiin & Pups

In most occasions, Cerberus would've given his sister a soft nip and growl for brushing into him, but the little pup was so preoccupied by his own excitement to scold her for it. The male bounds alongside his sister towards the edge of their clearing, not entirely sure which direction their parents were directing them. Aakari strides past them with her adult steps, Cerberus ears perking up as he fervently attempts to keep up with her leisurely pace. His tail swishes as he glances over at his sisters with delight.

Ptolema is the only one that verbally pays heed to her father's warning, squeaking a little promise of "We will!" The smallest female is a few bounds behind her siblings as Aakari sets out.

Dovahkiin smiles briefly as he trots just behind Aakari, in step with Cerberus and Orcai. He's relatively silent, listening to the panting and breathless remarks from his excited pups. When the small gurgle of water reaches Dovah's ears, he remarks softly to his pups, "Almost there." which causes them to pick up the pace on their little paws. Cerberus bolts forward at the sight of the water, once he clears past the emerald leaves, not stopping until he's belly deep into the waters. Ptolema bounds forward, though she halts at Aakari's side.

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

The cool waters were were a welcome respite from the intense heat of the summer day. Aakari relished the balming sensation of the gentle liquid as she let her front paws soak into the damp sands near the edge of the brook. Her eyes follow after Cerebrus, and then travel further ahead, just to be sure there's no giant snapping turtle or some other random threat to her child. A brush of fur against one leg brings her attention to Ptolema next, eliciting a quick lick to the pup's head.

Orcai's swift rush towards the pool turns into a skidding halt beside her sister as trepidation clashes with rampant curiosity. She'd never see a 'large' body of water such as this before, only puddles and the temporary rivulets of water following a rainstorm. "Where does all this water come from? And where's it going- oh look!" The fear subsides almost as quickly as it formed. The two-toned pup bounces forward and gasps in delight as she spots a gathering of water skitters dancing across the surface of the pool. "Look, what are these?" Her excited bark is directed at her siblings, though she gives neither much time to react before she's pouncing forward and trying to slap a paw down on one of the bugs.

Sweetclover emerges from the brush last, padding slowly through the collection of boulders before. She gives the splashing pups several gracious yards of space, moving further down the stream where she can satisfy her thirst without getting an unintentional bath. At one point she raises her head, nose quivering as a scent catching her attention. Her ears swivel forward and she sniffs again, but a breeze snatches the scent away before she can rightly analyze it.

Dovahkiin & Pups

Cerberus dances in the cool waters with a lolling tongue and delighted laughter. He halts only when Orcai draws attention to the little water-walkers skating across the surface of the creek. While Orcai preoccupies herself with assaulting the little insects, Cerberus bounces through the water and swipes a little wave in the direction of his sister, hoping to slap water into her face while she's distracted. Ever the mischief-maker, Cerberus was.

Ptolema wiggles a bit under Aakari's tender lick, skipping a step into the creek water with a surprised squeak. "Wow, it's cold!" Ptolema exclaims with wide eyes. Like her siblings, she'd only encountered a few post-rainstorm puddles and usually those were warmed by the time they collected on the ground. The little pup flashes her gaze up at her mother, jaw unhinged. "Why is it so cold?"

From the safety of the dry creek bed, Dovah watches with careful eyes as their children bound into the cool, bubbling waters of the creek. A little chuckle comes from his throat as he observes Cerberus, in all of his stubborn mischief, launch a watery attack upon his sister. Then there's Ptolema, petite and perplexed, her fur standing on end as she steps into the cold waters. The alpha male, himself, places his paws into the gentle gurgle of water. Compared to the sultry summer air, the creek is significantly cooler and would certainly surprise a naive pup. "It gets colder in the winter," Dovahkiin remarks to Ptolema, "It even freezes solid into ice."

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Contrary to her self-imagined prowess as a protector of the pack and a great hunter of creatures she'd never even seen before, Orcai was no match for the speed of the humble water bug. Her quarry zoomed across the now rippling pool several inches ahead of her descending paw, skirting over miniature waves and navigating the glossy surface of its home with dazzling speed and agility. Orcai frowned in disappointment, but was not discouraged. A comically sharp growl was issued and she prepared to pounce at the whole lot of pond waders, but was stopped when cold water dashed across her side and face, and scattered her prey even further away. Orcai's scowl deepened and she whirled around, feigning more anger than she actually felt when she realized the culprit was her own brother. Raising her growl, she pounced through the water towards Cerebrus, with the intent of tackling him into the shallow waters.

Aakari was perfectly content letting the two pups spend energy on themselves, hoping that it would mean a slightly longer nap for them this evening. It also gave her time to dote a little more on their quieter daughter. She raised her dial and looked in the direction of the distant mountains, knowing their direction despite the thick trees blocking her view of them, "This water comes from deep under ground, where the sun can't warm it up. That makes this pool very cold, even during the hottest days of summer." Attention turned to her mate, where he chilled on the dried bed of rocks and sand. A smile crossed her mug and she looked back to Ptolema, "We'll bring you back here in winter, and you can watch the fish swim under the ice. As a pup, I'd always try to catch them."

Dovahkiin & Pups

There's a devilish glint in Cerberus's eyes as his sister, disdained and infuriated, whirls around to meet the eyes of her antagonist. His little tail thrashes as he returns the same 'savage' growl and immediately launches himself through the shallow waters to meet his sister in their feud. A little growl escapes him, quickly turned into gurgles as Orcai successfully launches through the waters and pushes him into it. He wiggles, his coat now completely drenched and a daunting laugh escaping his mouth. He pushes with his hind legs in an attempt to regain his footing, snapping his puppy teeth at Orcai's ear.

Ptolema listens to her mother's explanation, little eyes widening as she considers the idea of the frozen water. For her, it seemed nearly impossible. But in a matter of a few months, the little wolf would soon apprehend what her parents were saying. "Did you catch any of the fish?" Ptolema inquires, little head tilting with thought. Her eyes light up as a memory strikes her, the little pup whirling to glance over at her father. "Dad can fish, right, mom?"

Dovah steps close and nuzzles curious Ptolema with a fatherly glow in his eyes. He looks up at Aakari sheepishly, teasingly mentioning, "She polished up her fishing skills under my guide." Lifting his head, he gives his mate a little nudge on the shoulder with a playful wag of his tail to convey his jest.

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Just as quickly as they'd garnered her attention, the water bugs were left forgotten about, to scatter away in hastened strides to avoid the skirmish between the two determined pups. Orcai's growl sharpened ever more, turning towards a laughing pitch when she succeeded in casting Cerebrus into the water. The momentary victory was paid for by her ear, as her spunky brother was not one to go down so easily, or stay their for long. He was up and propelling himself from the cold clutches of the shallow pool and snagging her aud with ease. Orcai shoved one paw in his face, and the other against his shoulder to try and wrestle him back into the pool and free her imprisoned ear.

One of Aakari's alabaster ears was tuned towards the playful duo, and occasional she'd shoot them a quick look. The second play started to get too rough, a stern bark would warn the siblings to cool it down. For now though, their laughter assured the mother that all was well, so most of her attention could be devoted still to Ptolema. "Not under the ice, no." The wintry wolf chuckled at the thought, withholding any accounts of slipping and sliding on the ice in those early, fruitless ventures into 'ice' fishing. "The ice gets very thick in winter, and not even our strong paws can dig through it with ease."

Gaze lifts to Dovah after their daughter brings up the topic of his fishing abilities, "He's not half bad at it." She returns with a wry sort of grin, offering her version of a jest, and an accompanying nudge against the side of his cheek. Affectionate displays were coming easier to her, where Dovah and the children were concerned. "When you're a little older, we can go to the secret fishing spot where your father taught me how to catch the fish of the sea. They're a bit bigger than the creatures in this stream."

Dovahkiin & Pups

The water, though relatively shallow, is just deep enough for Orcai to shove her brother underneath its surface. He thrashes like a fish, his head popping back above the surface. His entire coat is drenched and his little ears are weighed down to his skull from the water. Rising to his paws, Cereberus gives a firm shake to his fur, flinging water everywhere. An indignant huff escapes his mouth as he turns to glare at Orcai. "I'll dunk you!" Cerberus warns with a little squeak, lunging through the water in an attempt to knock his sister off her paws. Despite his ferocious glare, his wagging tail suggests otherwise in his disposition. He's nothing but play.

Ptolema's little head tilts as she considers the fish under the ice. The mention of the secret fishing spot elicits a wag of the she-pup's tail. "Oh! I'll be the best fisher yet!" Ptolema announces proudly, puffing her chest out. She hops onto her paws, jovially bouncing a few strides into the stream. She keeps a distance from her rambunctious siblings, studying the gurgling waters and the long-forgotten water bugs with interest. No fish here, unfortunately.

Dovah, by now, has slowly waded out into the water. It hardly licks at his ankles, but the cool water provides relief to the sultry day. He glances over at Cerberus and Orcai back at it again, a little rumble of a laugh coming from his chest. Mahogany eyes trace themselves over his shoulder to share a dubious look at his mate. "You truly think they'll exert their energy here?" Dovah incredulously questions with a laugh, "I'm thinking this vitalized them instead."

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Orcai had little time to indulge in her victorious dunking of Cerebrus, for her brother was already thrashing up out of the water, coat sopping wet and little ears plastered to his head under the tension of the water that soaked them. The sight did bring a hardy laughter from her though, "You look so goofy! All the fluff got taken out of- oooof!" Her tease was left unfinished, as she failed to dodge aside from her springing sibling. She tried using her hind paws to brace herself, but they slipped upon the pebbles and sand and she was rolled beneath the chilly waters next. After a moment or two of frantic flailing herself, Orcai popped back up with much the same appearance as her brother, fur flattened against the awkward proportions of her puppy frame, and one ear temporarily plastered down. "Eeeee! It's so cold, you didn't tell me it was so cold!" She complained, despite the fact that she'd been romping in said waters for several minutes now.

As Aakari watched her quieter daughter meander to the stream, boasting on her future fishing abilities, the alphess herself eased down against the cool bank of the spring. "With practice, you may yet be." Auds perk at her mate's laughter, her eyes following his gaze to the other children that are continuing their tussle in the brook. "We might have to show them something more mundane, next time." She lamented dryly, though there was amusement written in her pale eyes. "Or, take up Clover's offer to take them rabbit hunting." Aakari lifted and turned her muzzle in her grandmother's direction, who hadn't quiet caught what the alphess said.

Dovahkiin & Pups

Cerberus stands triumphantly over his floundering sister, his soaked coat bristling with pride. He laughs as she rises, voicing her complaint of the cold water. "Serves you right," Cerberus remarks with gleaming eyes. "Now you look goofy!"

Dovahkiin flashes a glance over to Sweetclover, a low chuckle rising in his chest. "Maybe chasing rabbits would tire them out?" Dovah asks, making sure his voice is low. The pups were champions of eavesdropping on their parents and becoming excited over ant mounds. The alpha male flashes a glance over to Cerberus and Orcai who, luckily, are far too indulged in dunking one another in the crystal waters to overhear Dovah's words. "Perhaps we should head back soon. I, for one, am tired." The same couldn't be said for the trio of pups.

Aakari, Sweetclover, & Orcai

Orcai stands there, water draining in little rivulets down her sides and belly, with her ebony tail looking more like a soggy cord than the proud floof it usually is. Her water-flattened fur makes her ears look even larger than they are, and yet the reality of her goofy appearance doesn't match the grandiose vision in her head. "Nu-uuuuh! You look goofy! It looks like all your fur is melting off." Came her retort, her little muzzle tilted up smugly, as if she herself didn't look like a melting rat. She was soon dropping her front end into the cold waters, her hindquarters waving in the air as she tried to entice her brother into another round of wrestling.

Dovah's idea was taken up readily by his mate, who nodded with a fleeting glance to their son and daughter. By the looks of it, they could go another hour at least before exhaustion won them over, and Aakari wasn't sure if she could easily make it another ten minutes before a yawn would take her. "She did offer." Cool yellow orbs flicked to the matriarch, and a soft woof and a nod caught her attention. Clover was up and trotting over to her daughter's beckoning. Before she could open her maw to question, Aakari was addressing her, "Is that rabbit hunt still an offer? Dovah and myself were hoping for a short rest."

"Of course." The elder chuckled. Age aside, she felt as though she might have a bit more energy in her old bones than these two exhausted parents right now. "If you two want to go back to the den, I can keep them entertained for another hour or so."

Dovahkiin & Pups

Cerberus slaps the water near Orcai's face, trying to silence her taunts. His puppy blue eyes gleam as a little, devilish giggle escapes his mouth. "No, you!" He retorts. A valid, strong argument. Seeing his sister's invitation to fight, Cerberus bounces through the water and tries to nip at her scruff. He drops his weight, hoping to dunk both of themselves into the cool waters. He knew he wasn't avoiding getting drenched again, but wanted to draw victim to his sister.

Ptolema picks up on the shift in activities, her fur bristling with excitement as she bounds through the shallow waters and to Sweetclover's side. Her little tail thrashes with elation, gazing up at her great-grandmother. "We're going hunting?" Ptolema begs, glancing back at her parents expectantly.

Dovah watches the life in his children, flashing a thankful look in Sweetclover's direction. A little yawn escapes Dovah in rebuttal to Aakari's own yawn, the big male chuckling as he brushes his muzzle against his mate's. "We would be indebted," Dovah muses towards Sweetclover. "You sure you can keep up with the bunch?" Dovah does not doubt Sweetclover for one bit, but more pays testament to the spunkiness of all three pups combined.