Black Thorn Downs like never before

Everyday her children grew larger, smarter, more curious and more likely to push the limits of the boundaries that had previously been set. While it seemed to be @Noble who instigated the majority of these outings, @Kova seemed all too happy to follow along at her side. So after much internal debate and a discussion with @Tokino it had been decided that the pups would be allowed to leave the play area as long as they were accompanied by an adult. The last part had been stressed and repeated and then stressed some more over and over again until the pups seemed bored of hearing it. Minka was still nervous to let them go, even if they had a packmate with them, sure every time that something terrible would fall upon them. A snake, or an unexpected ditch, or the adult would look away for a second and they would fall into a stream and drown. Countless situations came through her head every time her son or daughter left her sight and she would feel anxious until they returned.

So today when Kova had felt the itch to go out Minka had been all too happy to volunteer to be his guide. This way she could keep an eye on him herself, while his sister stayed near the den with Tokino. It seemed that the family lessons had already begun, even if her children were too young to really understand or keep all the names straight. Unsure of how to broach the subject of Narimé, the estranged cousin that lived to the south of them Minka had decided that she would trust in her mate, he would know what to say. Leaving behind the names that even the mother herself got confused and jumbled in her mind she allowed her son to set the pace. They stopped often to peer at some plant or smell various foliage but they covered ground fairly quickly. Every so often Minka would speak to explain something and answer Kova's questions, ever patient even if the same question was repeated more than once. This is what she had been dreaming of her whole life; motherhood.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Kova Lagina

memoria et lux

Kova was so happy that his mother and father were finally letting him venture out of the den. The young pup couldn't understand the reasons why they never wanted to let his sister and him go out and have fun. Nor why his mother or father orother fmaily had to be around when they went out to travel and play. The gray child had no reason to know fear, and did not understand that the world was a danger to him yet. All he saw outside of that den was a mysterious magical world that kindled his innocent spirit and lit his imagination aflame.

His wide blue eyes took in everything, memorizing occasional things like "tree", "bush", "grass" and "bird". He could almost name every thing someone pointed out to him with a basic identity. Like the other day when his father had pointed to several different kinds of birds, he had always been able to recognize them all as a type of bird. Though he didn't have an understanding of different kinds of the same thing yet. Like how there were hundreds of different kinds of plants in the same "grass" category.

The boy also understood the basics of speech. He knew many of the basic words that went in between meanings of things to form questions or comment on certain topics. Much like his sister Kova was growing up fast, not only physically but mentally. Though he might be understanding things at a noticeably faster rate than his sister.

As Kova roamed the thicket with his mother his dark nose took in all the scents it could. He was constantly getting distracted by a new scent or by something rustling in the brush near him. So the child never really padded in a straight line. It was more of a meander as he wandered around.

A brown object dislodged itself form the ground to his left and as Kova's eye noticed it the boy yelped loudly in fright before standing on his tippy toes to see the object more clearly. It paused after he had yelped and was now staring back at the pup still unaware of the parent nearby. The two animals stared at eachother for a moment neither knowing what to do next. Then the groundhog clacked its teeth in warning before spotting the adult wolf and running for it. Kova sniffed at the place the animal had been and looked for his mother to see where she was.

What was dat thing mommy? He asked pointing his nose in the direction of the giant brown beast that had scared the living daylights out of him.

Minka did her best to answer all of Kova's questions, indentifying birds, grass, trees, rocks, often multiple times as they found different types. Her boy was smart however and seemed to be committing the lessons to memory at an amazing pace, taking each new identity in stride. The tawny woman began to relax as she watched the grey pup nose around the woods, trotting from one object to the next, often zig zagging across the path. She enjoyed the sun that filtered through the trees, landing on their backs and absorbing into their bodies. The long harsh winter had not been forgotten and the mother couldn't find it in herself to take the hot for granted quite yet.

So Minka followed slowly behind her son, content to absorb the warmth and answer his millions of questions until he grew tired and wanted to return home. The golden eyes followed Kova almost absent mindedly now that she felt more relaxed and that no harm would fall upon him. That is until the yelp of fear shattered her calm exterior. Instantly her eyes locked upon the ground hog that clicked its teeth in warning and she felt a growl building in her throat. While it was not threat to her and in fact would make a tasty treat she knew the claws and fangs could pose a huge threat to her child.

Stepping forward protectively she growled again, barring her teeth towards the brown rodent until it fled. Kova went to examine where the woodchuck had sat and once more a question dripped from his lips. Walking forwards to close the gap between them Minka nosed the top of his head protectively, her eyes scanning the area to make sure the thing was really gone. Once assured it truly had left her salmon tongue caressed the grey head before she answered, "That was a woodchuck, or some wolves will call it a groundhog. When you're bigger you can hunt them and eat them, but they have sharp claws and teeth so be careful. For now it would be best if you avoided woodchucks okay?" Minka had never been one to talk to her children in what others call "puppy voices". In her mind the only way for them to learn to speak properly was by listening to others speak properly.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Kova Lagina

memoria et lux

Woodchuck... Kova repeated the name while scenting the ground where the brown creature had stood. The mere mention of the word "eat" Kova thought of food and turned his head to look at her with an alert look in his blue gaze. He expression changed to that of both disgust and intrigue at the same time. We eat dose? He cocked his head cutely while listening to his mothers answer.

The flash of something dark and shining in the sunlight distracted the child once more. His gaze tore off of his mother as the boys paws begin to churn under his gray body pulling him towards the bushes to their right. Somewhat tall with medium green leaves and woody stems the bush was thick and healthy.The pup could barely see through it for the bush had so much new light green growth on it. He poked his nose into the bush to smell the small flowers he could plainly see then pulled back hastily as a few thorns poked him in the muzzle. Wrinkling his mouth and nose a bit the boy shook off the bit of pain that might have made a more emotional wolf pup cry and ask for help. Then he glared into the bush and spotted the things that poked him. He also eyed the berries that protruded in thick clumps along one branch closest to him. Pulling back the child sniffed at the crisp smell of the berries then looked at his mother.

What is dis? He asked pointing to the bush while eyeballing the berries wondering why they were on the plant. What were their use?

The mother stood above her son smiling as she looked down towards the grey pup with a twinkle in her eye. Nodding her head once more she answered his questions as soon as they popped out of his mouth, "Woodchuck, and yes we eat those." Reaching down to smooth the fur on his head once more she was too slow as once more Kova was off running again. Watching more closely than before should the woodchuck come back and decide it did in fact want a fight the mother still walked a few paces behind the pup.

It was then when she realized what had caught the grey boy's attention, one of the bushes that surrounded their home. Kova caught his nose on one of the thorns that gave their pack its name and Minka rushed forward, ready to coddle him should he need it. Coming beside him however there were no tears and her son made no noise of complaint at being stuck by the bush instead he was gazing intently at the berries, his favourite phrase on his lips, What is dis? Leaning over his head the tawny muzzle parted as Minka carefully grasped the clump of berries in her mouth and gave a sharp tug, pulling them free. Laying them down upon the ground she left a few of them whole so Kova could look at their shape and smushed one so its insides were visible, though they were mushy. Focusing back on Kova she gestured towards the berries, "These are blackberries, they grow on a plant called a blackberry bush. You can taste this one you would like, but be careful of the bushes because the thorns can hurt you." Then she stepped back away from berries on the ground to see what her son would do with them.

Vinyonga @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Kova Lagina

memoria et lux

Kova pulled back as his mother appeared behind him to look at what had his attention. However as the child pulled back from the bush more thorns lightly scratched the sides of his face. Once his head was free of the bush Kova shook his fur free of the discomfort then resumed staring at the bright objects, the fruit of the bush. He watched quietly as his mother bent forward and nipped a branch with ripe berries off of the main stem. The bush quivered violently as she pulled back and took its fruits away. Then Kova looked on as his mother dropped the berries in front of him.

"These are blackberries, they grow on a plant called a blackberry bush. You can taste this one you would like, but be careful of the bushes because the thorns can hurt you." His mothers voice spoke gently as Kova nodded. Then he looked back to the bush and parroted the name she had called. Blackberry bush. Kova turned his blue eyes back to the berries and pawed at the mushed one. ...and these are blackberries. Do they taste good? Without hesitation Kova stepped forward and licked at the mushed berry. It was very different from Minka's milk that the child was still living on. It was so good! But the word to describe the taste wasn't a known one to Kova. His nose wrinkled as his face turned into a wide grin. Then the boy picked up the mushed berry as best he could and ate it whole.

Once finished with the first mushed berry Kova turned to the others still on the stem his mother had nibbled off the bush. He avoided the thorns and picked the berries off of the stem with his black lips, then tried eating them whole. Unfortunately Kova didn't know that he was supposed to chew. The silver pup choked on the berry after sucking on it a few times as he would have done to his mother to drink milk. Kova coughed a few times as his eyes bulged in shock.

(I give @Minka permission to PP him and get the berry out any way she can think)

It pleased the new mother to see how quickly Kova picked up on their lessons, he always had. While Noble herself was smart and was learning at an average rate, her son was more focused and seemed to have a mind like a bear trap, a trait that fondly reminded the woman of her mate. So once more she nodded approval when he correctly repeated the words and identified first the bush and then the berries. Tilting her head slightly to the right the mother answered her son, "Some wolves think so, I myself have never really cared for them. Why don't you try them and then tell me what you think?" If the days continued to fly by as they had this summer it wouldn't be long until the platinum boy before her was an adult, and he might as well begin making up his own opinions now.

Suddenly as if fates had flipped a switch the scene changed, her boy coughed and then went almost completely silent. Instantly adrenaline flooded her veins and Minka moved closer, not knowing what she could do to save him. Without much thought she brought the bottom of her muzzle down upon Kova's shoulders firmly, and then again a second and third time. After what seemed like a lifetime in those three impacts the silver boy shuddered and made a gargling sound before coughing up the now fairly misshapen berry. Cooing over him the mother licked what was sure to be a sore spot on his shoulders now, "Oh my sweet baby boy, you need to chew food when its solid, are you alright? Kova my darling are you okay?" All the while licking the silver pelt from head to toe, nudging her muzzle against his face, trying to comfort both her son and herself.

Kova Lagina

memoria et lux

His whole body stood stiff as a board as the sensation of fright came over him. The berry wasn't moving right and blocking up his throat. Shaking began to erupt around his body as it convulsed, and then the strong touch of his mother was there.

Trying to make a sound of distress while she forcefully beat on his shoulders. His body convulsed trying to push the foreign object out, and on the third push of his shoulders Kova shuddered as the berry slid upwards into his throat. Then he coughed it out and began whining and crying while huddling that shivering little body up against his mothers chest. The shaken child gratefully accepted Minka's attention though none of her licks and concern helped the raw feeling still bubbling through his throat.

As he realized that the whining was only making his throat more sore, Kova slowly stopped his crying. Shuffling around the dirt at his paws and mushing the half eaten berry he had choked up, the child listened to his mothers words intently. He sniffled a few times forcing back the tears then glanced up to his mother with sad eyes. What's chew? he asked quietly to her because he now hada fear that he would choke on all of his food if he didn't "chew" on it. Kova wanted to get chewing right so that he wouldn't have to worry about it again.

The trembling of her son's body made her heart ache, sitting her rump upon the earth she pulled him close with her muzzle. Instinctively she tucked his small body against her chest, within the safety of her legs, forming a barrier with her body to protect him until he stopped crying. All the while she hummed the lullaby that their father had taught them, licking at Kova's tears as quickly as they were forming. Listening to his question the mother was puzzled as to how to explain to her son what chewing was, it was just something you did. Then leaning back far enough that he could see she murmered, "It's what you do to help you eat real food, like this." Then she over dramatically pantomimed the movement. First with her lips open so her son could see her teeth meeting each other, and then with them closed before making a loud swallowing sound.

Coddling her son for a few minutes longer she hummed once more, smoothing his rumpled fur with her snout at she did. Finally assured that her boy was alright she gave one more swift lick to the crown of his head before standing. Smiling down upon him she gestured with her tail, "I think it's time for home now, but we can take the long way back if you would like." Though she still ached with fear for what could have happened she would never let her children know when she was afraid. Instead she would act like everything was okay, which in truth it was now, she just wanted her pups to have a happy upbringing. Now and forever everything she did would be for them. Once she was sure that Kova was at her side she slowly made her way back to the den, patiently answering all of the questions the platinum prince might present her.

EXIT MINKA

Kova watched with wide eyes as his tawny, cream, and gray mother showed him how to chew. His curious gaze noted how her sharp pre-molars and far back molars clinked together in the chewing motion. He copied her movements as she made a swallowing sound that made him begin to giggle until his sore throat made him pause. Copying the chewing movements and glad that he had teeth like she did to do it right, Kova swallowed a bunch of saliva that had begun to dribble down the side of his chin.

"I'll get it right next time."

Kova croaked out before silence enveloped the pair of gray wolves. He moved as Minka began to move shadowing her paw steps unwilling to go far from his mother at that time. She offered to go the long way and Kova nods silently "okay" since every time he spoke his voice was scratchy and his throat still felt a dull ache. The bit of pain would go away in a few hours, but Kova didn't know that. He also didn't care whether they went the long way or the short way back home. In all honesty he actually wanted to head back and cuddle up with his sister in the den. The gray child had had a little too much adventure for one day.

So the son followed his mother as they wound their way through the bushes and game trails back to the little den hidden among the thorn filled blackberries.

(Exit Kova)

SalsolaStock @DA, Eirian-stock & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief