The rain was ruining any chance he had at fun. It had started early; drizzling down in tiny, lazy droplets all morning before turning into a real, actual rainstorm. He was thankful though, that this wasn't one of the light and sound storms; thunderstorms as he'd been taught to call them. Though, it would have been more interesting to watch the blinding bolts smash to earth amongst the sound of the raging thunder. At least this storm was lighter, so maybe it would be over faster. For now though, he was confined to the den with his mother and siblings. Aleister and Neha were fast asleep as the rain's constant rushing lulled the other kids to dreamland. He was still trying to get used to this new den. There was another wolf or two around, but everyone else was content to rest instead of doing anything.

For once, the chubby boy was restless. His sleeping schedule had never quite meshed with the other two. Some part of him wished they hadn't gotten tired and that they could still be playing something in here. Not roughhousing per-say but, something. He was completely idle, sitting sideways on his haunches and watching the rain fall. There wasn't much else to do right now. Cernan observed the outdoors for a few moments longer; feeling the cool fresh air and wishing for some form of quiet amusement, when a thought occurred. His mom was still kind of awake wasn't she?

The younger prince turned, waddling with some semblance of coordination toward the front of the shelter. He appeared beside her large form, standing indecisively for a moment before raking a disproportionately large paw gently against her side. Neha might have launched herself at the woman in an attempt to rouse her and get some attention; but that was not the way of the tubby pup looking at her now. His little jaws parted to reveal the soft puppy voice hiding within. People were sleeping, after all. "Momma," he started, glancing at her face. "Momma I'm bored." He admitted solemnly, his oversized ears falling down and his rump gliding to the floor softly. She always seemed to know how to make things better. She would know this time too.

When she turned to him her humming came to an abrupt stop. Fortunately she was indeed awake, and even in a good mood! A soft chortle left her smiling face while her son watched on to see what her real response would be. He accepted the affection by nuzzling himself into her face and neck as she craned around to reach him. Already this was better than he felt before. Obediently the child sank to his stomach; now tightly pressed to her side as she gasped in jest. A broad smile and a giggle of his own parted the boy's jaws as he stared up at her, and his thin tail flopped around behind them. She was still soft and warm, like always. Now the cool air could come in all it wanted; he had a Momma blanket! Well, at least on that one side. His tail's pace increased as she finished speaking.

I knew it! I knew she'd fix it! He thought, still watching his dam expectantly. His wagging settled though as she turned away; clearly trying to decide just how to remedy her precious child's stagnation. Then, she suggested story-time. Cernan stared at her blankly for a second before the recognition hit, and his tail resumed its dance. Stories sounded okay, he supposed. Momma told good stories, and he was always happy to listen to her humming voice – it was extra cool when he could hear it in her chest and outside. “Okay,” he responded with a grin. A quiet moment passed before he thought to ask, “What about?” Would it be a hunting story? One about Dad? A funny story? He hoped it wasn't a sad story, but Mom never seemed to have many of those, so he wasn't worried. The boy snuggled closer and drew his paws close together in front of him as he stared at her. He even straightened his laying posture a little. Long, fuzzy puppy ears cupped toward her in anticipation. Whatever she had to tell him it was better than this boring old rain.

He studied her face diligently as again the queen turned away to think. Another moment passed and he heard her start humming again. Being rather patient already for a pup his size, Cernan lowered his muzzle to sit neatly between his forepaws. His muddy, transitional eyes wandered away, finding some temporary entertainment in watching the rain some more. It was dripping quite a lot from the den's entrance, and he was only glad that the cool liquid didn't try to invade their new home. He wondered what his Dad was up to right about now. Was he hunting? Patrolling? (Which in his mind was a fancy way of saying 'taking a walk like a grown-up.') He could have asked but Mom was already busy finding a story for him.

Finally she answered, bringing his fuzzy little head right back up to attention. He watched her face, enraptured as she mentioned a tale of the lights that lit both the night and the day. That sure sounded cool! Cernan lifted his own eyes to find the sun; partially hidden by the dreary rain clouds. Learning something about the very light that had enveloped his world since the day his eyes had opened was something indeed, if he even had the ability to remember much from that long ago. He turned back to her, having located the shining orb in the sky. His mind hitched on another of her words, 'grandpa.' What was that? He had one? And Momma was his age once? Juvenile curiosity won out. As much as he wanted to hear the story, he needed to know.

“What's a grandpa?” he asked, eyes shining with fixation.

He was rewarded with the brightening of her gaze. As if the question had illuminated some great threat, the Cove matriarch sprung right into her explanation. Cernan kept his pools locked on to her as she spoke of parents. Her parents. It was a lot of information to volley at him, but the prince found himself picking through it at a slow and steady pace. It was so strange to think that the woman who'd been essentially eternal; present for all that he could remember, was once a child too. How could that be? He was the child and she was the grown up, and that's how it always had been. Then, he was informed that there were not only grandpas but grandmas. Well, that made sense he supposed. The names were stored away in his brain as best they could be, and some of them had a tinge of familiarity attached; as if his mother had mentioned them in passing before. She probably had. The one moment that made the boy straighten with enthusiasm though was her mention of brothers. Two? he wondered; his neck now vertical with interest.

“Two brothers? Where are they? Can I meet 'em?” So many questions arose as to these mystery wolves and their personalities. Were they like mom?  Did they like to play? Were they strong like Dad? He was excited just at the idea. His little tail gave a few wags, but settled in due time. As soon as she was done speaking he'd be ready to finally hear that story she'd spoken of. The Vuesain prince tucked his paws back together; lowering his posture from its overly-excited state in preparation for the wondrous tale he hoped Momma would weave. In the mean time his thoughts ran away with what the strangers could look like; whether or not they were mean or nice to his dear Momma; what games they might have played when they were little, the list was endless. He'd have to ask her soon.

There was some disappointment to be had in the fact that these fabled brothers weren't around. Still, his eyes remained bright at the idea of learning their tales of adventure! He had to make conscious effort to stifle himself so his Mother could finally get to her story, but something was different in her eyes. Her words weren't quite the story he'd been promised either, but they were sweet and accommodating all the same. Cernan smiled and wagged his little bristled tail a few times more until she finished; at which point they came pouring out of him. “What do they look like? Didja play with your brothers and your parents? What games did ya play? Where did you live? Were they nice to you?” His head had slowly been tipping over to the side more and more as the hushed words came barreling forth. Now it was practically horizontal with curiosity.

There were so many possibilities. Did any of them look like him? Or like his siblings? Did they kick pine cones and play-fight and chase mice? Or goof around in the water? He did some thinking on the siblings only to realize that his Momma's two brothers put her in the same position as Neha. Why, the families were just the same! Was that always how it worked? The prince hadn't had any contact with other kids so, that was a good an explanation as any. He'd have to remember to ask Papa about his brother and sister too.