The longer she spent under the blitz, the more her fear subsided, though she could do without the booming sounds, growing ever closer. Still, the light playing off the hulking clouds, showing surprising hues of green and purple among the dark grey was too beautiful run from.

However, in between two thunder cracks, Apolline’s ears caught the sound of a familiar yelp, pulling her attention from the clouds. Despite the encroaching darkness, she easily spotted her brother’s tan form, scrambling though the grass in apparent panic. Assuming he too had be scared by the storm, she rushed over to reassure him, but not before another sister came running, from the opposite direction.

Unlike Apolline though, Adonya’s intention was not to help her brother – not surprising in the least to the sun-pup, who had long since learned that her older sisters were mean. The growl was no match for the roars from above, however in such close quarters it was still plenty scary. Apple’s ears flattened as she came to a halt at her brother’s side, trying to hide her fear as she boldly faced off against the bigger girl. “Stop ‘donya! ‘s not funny!” She barked, doing her utmost to hide the tremble in her voice as she shuffled to press herself against Augustin’s side.

Above, the sky continued to rumble ominously, and she had to swallow hard, seeking as much comfort from her brother as she was trying to offer. She wasn’t about to bolt, she wouldn’t. But it sounded closer and closer with every crack, could it really hurt them?

Thoughts ”Speech”

She would gladly have helped her brother recover his prize, had it not been for the looming darkness, and Adonya stalking around, acting all intimidating. Both their older sisters seemed to find way too much fun in tormenting the smaller pups, and Apple had found the best way of deterring this was for them to stick together – she only wished Adora or one of their brothers had been around to make it three against one.

As it was, she preferred to stick close to Augie’s side, forming a defensive front. Adonya seemed undeterred however, dancing around them and proclaiming how fun she found the whole thing. Yet, she’d return to the cover of the den every so often, apparently concerned about the sky herself and not just using it as a way to scare the smaller pups. Apolline’s brow furrowed, eyes darting at the sky as another flash lit it up. Knowing her older sister was actually afraid of a thing was both empowering and terrifying.

An unexpected voice added to the mud-pup’s worries, as Marrah appeared out of the darkness. Apple turned wide eyes onto the yearling, feeling a fresh chill at her words – Adonya might make up anything to scare her siblings, perhaps even put on a frightened act to really sell the story – but if Marrah said it was dangerous, it had to be true. Apple was already backing up to seek shelter as instructed, when Adonya’s annoyed voice challenged the yearling, stopping her in her tracks. Looking from one to the other, Apolline wrinkled her brows again, confused by the older pup suddenly seeming to contradict herself. She couldn’t help but mumble; “Y’ said it was bad…!” She didn’t like it when things contradicted.

Thoughts ”Speech”