The little smudge had snuck away from the den – it was time he saw more than the fallen timbers that made up their comfortable abode. In order to make sure he did not get lost, the boy marked up a few tree trunks with his claws – low enough that he would notice instantly, and those who were much taller would have to take more time to find. Rather pleased with himself, little R pranced away from his home in search of something -- anything -- that would capture his little attention span.

It did not take long. As he plunged deeper into the trees, an unfamiliar sound had captivated him. Perplexed, and driven by curiosity, the boy’s pace increased as he closed the distance between himself and the strange sound. Despite his leisurely walk turning into a brisk jog, Arion made sure that he left some sort of trail behind so he could find his way back to the den. If it was successful, it meant that he could share it with his playmates. But, for now, it was a secret and he didn’t want to share with anyone…

It did not take long for the boy to come across what was generating the strange sound. It grew louder as he approached, his over-sized paws treading carefully as the ground grew damp from the spray of water. The creeks that weaved through their territory seemed to originate from the falling water before him… how weird. Transfixed by the strange sight before him, the boy made sure that he steered clear of the body of water at the base of the falls. Unfamiliar with the idea of swimming, Arion was not keen on starting today – especially in water that moved so quickly. There was still so much he had to experience; drowning was not something R wanted to partake in. Remaining where he was, the boy flopped against the ground as he observed the strange sight before him. He understood that the falling water fed into the creeks, but where did it come from? What was at the top of the falls? With a confused expression distorting his features, the boy’s soft-blue gaze remained transfixed on the sight before him.

Transfixed by the strange sight before him R was completely oblivious to his surroundings—which was potentially dangerous, considering he didn’t know which wolves were good and which were not. He had never seen something so… powerful, so different… there was nothing like the rushing water back in the Pines. Had his mother seen this wondrous place before? Had his father? The thought caused a heavy lump to form in his throat as his forepaws fidgeted uncomfortably beneath him. His father was gone—temporarily or permanently, he did not know… all he knew was that he wanted his family to be whole again. It was evident that his mother was upset about the sudden departure, but she also seemed… angry; betrayed. Something was off… had his father done this before?

The ebony child gave his head a quick shake; he did not want to think about his father’s absence. He needed to be there for his mother and not wallowing in his own self-pity. He was all that his mother had left (aside from the pack, of course) and he couldn’t allow himself to pine after his missing father.

It was the familiar scent that first alerted Arion that he was no longer alone, followed by the rustling of foliage behind him. She called out to him, asking him about what it was he was looking at: “B!” He greeted quickly with a short wave of his tail, his slender maw turning to her. “Not lookin’ for anythin’, just lookin’… You ever been this far before?” He asked curiously, his head cocked slightly as he observed the tawny girl. Then realization settled in— “Did my marks work?! Did you follow ‘em?!” If his scratch marks had guided the princess to the falls that meant returning back to the Pines would not be difficult. Maybe if I made more father would find his way home… No, Inkheart was much older than the two children—he was not lost. He had either been chased out, or left on his own accord… and he would return the same way (if he did).

While observing the tawny female Arion’s curiosity spiked and he sluggishly pulled himself from the ground. He had come here to explore and was just sitting there—seemed rather pointless. As the girl responded to her question he approached her slowly, his denim blue’s focused on the pool of water before them. She mentioned that her and Nalda had encountered some sort of creature, which she described as boring. His lips straightened out as he pondered the thought—what kind of creature had they encountered? R subconsciously wished that it would suddenly appear, but he was also glad that it remained hidden. If Bracken thought of it as boring than he didn’t doubt her—perhaps he would encounter it another time.

His tail thumped enthusiastically when she answered his question, announcing that the marks had been successful in leading her here. Nodding quickly in response to her follow-up question Arion had realized that part of the reason why he had made the marks was in hopes that someone would join him. He was glad that it had been Bracken—both she and Ember were like sisters to the only child, as he had known them since, well, forever. While he was not preferable to either sister, it seemed that the tawny Reiner was more frequent in his adventures. Her sister was a little more subdued than her, but still a viable playmate.

“I don’t think they’ll figure it out. I tried to make ‘em low enough that only we could see them,” he responded quickly, almost matter-of-factly. They wouldn’t be gone long anyway—just long enough for their parents to miss them, but not long enough for them to worry. They were still close enough that, if needed, they could return home swiftly. Returning his focus to the water before them, Arion slapped his paw against the surface to test its temperature. He remained cautious; R was unsure how to feel about the substance. Although it gave life, it could also take it away—Mother had made that very clear to him. “Was the creature you saw in the water?” He asked as his previous curiosity returned, his denim blues searching frantically for something lurking beneath the water.

He was fascinated by the water, but he made sure he kept his distance. Swimming was still something he was learning to master and as much as he trusted Bracken, he did not know if she was capable of saving him if need be. His ear flicked toward her as she spoke once more, confirming the location of the weird creature she had encountered before. R was a little disappointed the strange thing failed to make an appearance today, but something else had captured their attention.

Just as Bracken’s head turned the strange scent had reached the little shadow, stealing him away from the transparent liquid. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the new discovery, his denim blues widening as he sought out whatever held Bracken’s attention. Remaining where he was, the smudge followed the tawny princess’ gaze with his own to the spot in the grass. Something was there—something was moving. His curiosity instantly intensified as the girl slowly unfolded her legs, her stubby muzzle poking her side as she questioned him on what these new creatures were. Through squinted eyes, he did his best to make out the long-eared specimens… it was something his mother had mentioned before, but the name escaped him. “They hop, I know that. Can’t ‘member what they’re called. Hoppy-somethin’s. They food, though. Tha’s what ma said.” Food. Arion had barely attempted ‘hunting’ but he was sure the two of them could figure it out. It couldn’t be that hard—right?

As much as Arion wanted to chase after them, he knew nothing about hunting and the proper etiquette. He was just starting to reach the age where he would be allowed to observe (and possibly participate) in a pack hunt. The smudge wasn’t so sure hunting was his thing; he didn’t really have a thing. He just wanted to be good at everything, not just one thing. Whether that was possible or not, he did not know—but he was sure he would find out eventually.

His focus returned to the tawny fluff as she began speaking, only to be cut off in a flurry of movement as she chased after a rabbit. It seemed as though her instincts had kicked in, causing Arion to react the same. Without warning, his legs spun out from beneath him and propelled him forward in the direction of the rabbit and his nimble friend. Perhaps they would be able to catch it together?!

However, his friend had gotten a bit of a head start on him. She had quickly disappeared from sight, the foliage devouring her small body as she streaked after the hoppy creature in hopes of noms. His stumpy legs chased after her in hopes that he would catch up quickly; she was going the opposite way of his scratch marks and he didn’t want her to get lost. “Rion?” Her voice called out from the trees, his silky denim blues seeking out her light figure as his movements slowed to as he redirected his route. Within moments he had caught up to her, his tongue hanging happily from the side of his mouth and his tail wagging frantically behind him. “You almost had ‘em!” He chirped enthusiastically as he booped her nose with his own while his eyes danced around in hopes of catching a glimpse of the rabbit once more. “Maybe we go back ‘n tell ‘em about the hoppies? Maybe one of our ma’s will show us how to hunt ‘em properly,” he added with a soft shrug as he motioned to the direction that they had come from. “Le’s find the scratch marks.” With a final swish of his tail, little R did a one-eighty and headed back through the destruction the two of them had created. He worried that if they lingered outside the borders for two long they would get scolded once they returned… and R despised scoldings.