The yearling’s mind was glum as he trotted along the border, mechanically going through the motions of a patrol, which had long since become routine. With so many pups now old enough to wander about, keeping their parents preoccupied, the pack was in need of all the extra protection it could get. Leo mostly didn’t mind, it was the least he could do to take some of the pressure off the adults; Especially with dad…

That was what filled the boy’s thoughts as he worked, guilt swirling in his chest as he repeatedly blamed himself for not being there to help his father. He was supposed to be grown up and responsible, and help protect his new siblings, but he had failed, and Aleister had been hurt because of it.

These dark thoughts might have continued to spiral, had something else not caught his attention. A small, dark shape, way too far from where it was supposed to be and seemingly all alone. Eyes wide, Leo rushed over, almost stumbling over his own, big paws as he looked around frantically, hoping to spot a parent somewhere nearby; But there was none.

The yearling came to a stop in front of the pup, looking down at him with mild panic on his face. He recognized it as one of Nash and Aquene’s, the boy, though he couldn’t remember the name. Hesitantly, not knowing what else to do, Leo bend his elbows to get on eye level with the boy, looking at him with a mixture of terror and reverence; “Uhm H-hey… What’re you doing out here?”

Thoughts ”Speech”

The boy seemed completely unbothered by the situation, stepping forwards to greet Leo in a most unexpected manner. The yearling startled at the wet touch and had to fight an instinct to pull away, not wanting to scare the pup. Apparently, the kid considered Leo the same as his parents or the other adults – it was an odd thought to the Vuesain, who still saw himself as a kid, but something about it felt nice too. This little one at least, didn’t doubt his pack-cousin’s ability to protect him.

The answer he gave wasn’t exactly enlightening though. Leo raised himself up a little, so he could look down on the pup, mirroring his tilted head. “I-is that right?” He answered, tone light despite his confusion. The dark boy was obviously excited about his adventure, and Leo couldn’t help but smile a little at his enthusiasm. It wasn’t so strange that he should want to explore? On his own a little, Leo had wanted the same at that age. But now he still worried that the pup might have straight a little too far for his parents’ comfort; “Does your mom know you’re out here? Or your dad?”

Thoughts ”Speech”

Pups, he was starting to learn, didn’t concentrate very well. The dark boy’s attention suddenly wavered, and just like that everything up to that point seemed forgotten, Leo’s question going unanswered as something on the ground became the new focus.

It took the yearling a moment to catch up with the sudden question, eyes narrowing as he examined the strange object. “I… I don’t know,” he answered, lowering himself back down to get a closer look. Leo’s own curiosity stirred, nostrils flaring as he tried to glean any information he could about the thing. “It doesn’t look like a stone…” He mused, more to himself than the pup, ignoring the little ones failed attempts at grabbing the shiny thing; “More like ice.” Except it wasn’t cold. Most certainly an interesting find.

Thoughts ”Speech”

Leo’s attempts at examining the shiny object were made considerably harder by the dark pups continued struggle, the tiny growl drawing his cousin’s attention momentarily. The kid seemed determined to make off with his prize and was none too happy that his little teeth kept slipping on the smooth surface. His frustration might have seemed cute or funny to any other observer, but Leo instead felt an odd kinship with the boy, remembering his own childhood discoveries. He considered picking the stone-cicle up himself but wasn’t sure if the little one would appreciate the help.

Luckily the boy’s anger was as short lived as his general attention span, diffused as soon as he caught on to something new – this being the hissing sound of him, presumably, attempting to pronounce ice. The yearling nodded encouragement, happy to continue this attempt at conversation: “Yes, ice, that’s right!” He tried to catch the pup’s eyes, but already, his attention was back on the stone-cicle, now batting playfully at it. At a loss for what to do, and frankly fearing that the kid might suddenly spot something in the bushes and run off, Leo tried again to mention his parents: “Uhm… Maybe your mom would like to see the, uhm… Ice? Do you think?” He honestly didn’t know if the boy understood any of it, though the word mom, at least, should ring a bell.

Thoughts ”Speech”

Finally, that seemed to truly grab the little one’s attention, his excited shout making the yearling smile despite his worry. Still though, the pup struggled with his prize, unable to pick it up and actually bring it to his mama.

Leo watched as he gnawed away at the rock, his head titling and brows furrowing. His own, adult teeth and larger mouth could probably get a decent grip on the thing, but he wasn’t sure how the kid would react to that. Slowly lowering his snout back down to the little one’s level, he poked at the stone-cicle to grab his attention, then asked: “Mind if I give it a try?” To help the pup understand, Leo gently closed his teeth around one end, keeping still as he sought to meet the child’s eyes, waiting for permission. He wouldn’t want the kid to think he was trying to take the find away from him.

Thoughts ”Speech”