He had been awake for quite some time now, pondering. Various scents were wafting into the den, as they always did. Yips, and squawks begged for his attention as he laid safely on the dirt floor. The entrance of their little hideaway lay only a few small steps away, but still he remained stuck to his spot. Tacoma's eyesight, though not without flaws, had improved greatly. He could now see a small ways outside of the den, and it intrigued him to no end. For days he had wished to venture outside. Just to take one step onto the green plants would satisfy him, or at least that is what he thought.

Pushing his front half upwards, Tacoma took on a sitting position. Stout little legs fell awkwardly under him, as he still wasn't sure how to use his body in expert fashion. A yelp of frustration sounded from his throat, and rang throughout the den. Why was it so difficult to take a step outside? He wondered why @Ashton, and @Danica weren't just as concerned about the issue as he was, or maybe they were. Either way, he shrugged it off. Today was going to be the day he took his first steps into the light.

The need to escape their dark den had taken over. He wanted to see the creatures he could smell. Tacoma desired the feel of sun against his back. Excitement rushed through the cub's veins, as he took a step forward. Pausing for a second, his thoughts took over. Was his mother going to stop him? Were his siblings going to follow him? He was a ball of terror and excitement all in one. There was a great fear in the unknown, but he would never know if he didn't try.

Another step, and then another, until his nose was peaking out of the entrance he had watched his mother come in and out of so many times before. A brown paw touched the light, and then his head. Finally even his tail had been pulled outside of the den. This new world was an overload of sensation. Warmth raked his back, very much unlike the cool soil of the den. Noises that were once muffled now shocked his little ears. The sunlight was brilliant and blinding, making him squint through his already small eyes. Though Tacoma couldn't see very far, the things he could see were wondrous.

Green filled his vision as his paws touched the grass. His nose shakily dipped toward the Earth, and he could smell it up close and personal for the first time. Bright blue eyes moved around attempting to take everything in. Unsteady legs took another step away from the only home he had ever known. That is when he first realized the difference in texture. In an instant, one small paw lifted into the air, attempting to get away from this strange feeling. In succession, all of his paws did the same, and he found himself back at the mouth of their little den. He held in the yelp that begged for release. No one could know that he had been afraid. He had already come this far, he had to try a little harder. Taking another step into the grass, he was less fearful this time. After all, he knew what to expect.

That is when he realized that the world consisted of more than his small family. It was much larger than their cozy little home. Breathless, he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "Woaww." His denim colored eyes were wide as they attempted to take in the world around him.

Caught in the midst of his wonder, Tacoma almost didn't hear his sister's whisper as it left her mouth. She was calling out for him, and immediately he felt regret for not getting her involved in his plan to leave the den. As he went to turn back and bring her out here himself, a movement came from the corner of his vision. Though everything was still blurred, he could clearly make out the shape of an approaching wolf. His nose told him that his eyes were not deceiving him, and so he moved back a couple of paces, nearing the den's entrance once more.

This wolf bore a scent that the little male wasn't used to. It wasn't at all like the various perfumes his mother had brought home with her, nor the aroma of the wolves that occasionally visited with his mother through the entrance. It was altogether different, and he disliked it. Fear struck him as the much larger wolf moved closer to him, but he couldn't let Danica see that he was afraid. Pelt bristling with determination he stood in the mouth of the den, making sure the stranger would have to go through him if he was even going to think of touching the little female. "Stay safe." He whispered to his sister, hoping she would keep out of harms way. Even at such a young age, he already felt a need to protect her.

Making a mental note to apologize for leaving her in the den later, he turned back to face the huge creature. Where was Ashton when he needed him? Ashton had always been the braver one, or at least Tacoma thought so. All of a sudden the wolf began speaking. What on Earth was he saying? The cub was able to pick up most of the words, though some were completely lost on him. Not to mention, who or what was this 'buddy' thing?

He was young yet, and his attention span didn't last long. He wasn't sure how many questions the stranger had asked him, or in what order. With an attempt to answer the male he nodded when asked if he could talk. Certainly he could, but whether he understood everything he said was a completely different story. "Tacoma." Was all the male was going to get in reply for a name. Understandably, Tacoma wasn't sure what the male meant by 'what does your mother call you?'. The words in that order didn't make enough sense together, and he only said his name in reply to Liam speaking his. Rather than asking what the stranger meant, he opted out of making himself look silly. After all, Danica was still there, and he didn't want her to laugh at him. The word ma'am sounded strange to his ears. It was one he had never heard before, and he had a growing desire to know what it meant. It was in his nature to wonder quietly to himself though. Maybe he would ask his mother about it later, after his siblings had already fallen asleep for the night.