It was one of those warmer days that Cernan was finding he wasn't particularly fond of. It always seemed to be warmer the brighter the sky was. Sometimes it even made his fur feel sticky, and he hated that. Thankfully, the secure walls of the birthing den offered a much needed retreat. The stone was cool; good for resting against when he was too warm. Sleeping against his siblings sometimes got too uncomfortable in the heat, but for the most part the air in their little haven stayed at a nice equilibrium. This sunny afternoon had been much like the others. The children awoke from a nap, engaged each other in a few minor tussles and games before the summer heat convinced them to stop. Cernan had wiggled away from the other two, seeking out the chilling power of the cave's walls. The siblings seemed to be settling down some anyhow, but a couple baby growls or two still broke into the air every few moments. With the others becoming otoise the tubby child waddled off on improved legs; managing not to face plant until he was sitting against the stone. The youth rested before his mother; a tiny pink tongue floating around while his sides heaved in an attempt to cool him. He was the biggest, so he heated up the fastest too.

The boy flopped onto his belly unceremoniously, spreading all four of his stubby legs out so his stomach had maximum contact with the ground. He continued panting; his big blue eyes drifting upward to seek the face of his dear mother. Sadly, she did not seem to posses the power to cool him down, only warm him up, as learned on multiple fruitless occasions where the prince cuddled up with her only to find more heat. No, holding still near cooler things seemed to be the only way to remedy such a situation. As the icy pools of his eyes roamed over the face of his dam, the child's tail offered a few weak wags. He could see her much better than he had originally been able to. Perhaps the new dimension his eyes had revealed was taking shape? Was it changing like he was? Now he could make out her eyes, her nose, even the parts of her body that mirrored his own. She had legs too, but they were much much bigger. He marveled at how she never once tripped or stumbled on those stilts of hers. Of course, the boy didn't really have names for all of these things yet, but he knew they existed at least.

Cernan was a bit of a shy boy; preferring to stay quiet unless he needed something. His silver sibling, on the other hand, seemed to make noise just because she could. Up until now, the tubby prince had only mimicked parts of words; giving up on them when it no longer seemed entertaining. Still, he had managed to store away the understanding of a few names and other meanings. He knew when his mother wanted them to come closer, to stop hurting each other, to eat, sleep and so forth. He even recognized the sound she used only on him. It seemed that his siblings each had a different one too, and so did their dad. For now the thoughts simply drifted through his idle mind. The poor thing was still heaving in an attempt to cool himself. With a groan, the youth resigned his head to the floor, looking much more like an open-mouthed pelt rug than a puppy.

Wolf © Kurt Thomas Hunt Photography

Background © Chesapeake Bay Program

Manipulation © Jenandra

The king of the cove was the first sight to manage to grasp the young child's attention. His recognition was instant. It was “dad!” The sound was short and easy to recognize; especially after his dam had repeated it so. Still, the heat had not quite dissipated from him, so the youngest Vuesain didn't exactly leap for joy. Instead his wide eyes followed the brown wolf as he moved for his usual place at their mother's side. His two guardians always seemed to want to be so close to each other. In this heat he couldn't fathom why, but on other occasions he supposed it was something like he and his siblings did; purely for comfort. These larger beings were like him, after all. Captivated, the prince stared on while the smooth tones of his father's voice circled about the den. His little ears cupped forward as best they could, managing to register some familiar sounds. “Go,” “you” they were very simple utterances. Still the connection of them both happened slowly, coinciding with the way the man pressed his nose against her side. She... go? He wondered, unable and unwilling to articulate the words out loud.

His mother's sweet voice responded next, prompting the child to shift his wonder-filled gaze. Her words didn't quite manage to lodge themselves in his mind, but her next actions did. She'd gotten up, and instinctively her motion prompted the boy to his haunches. She was so much higher up than him now. He met her nudge with a clumsy lick; the faint beginning of a smile daring to cross his features. “Mother,” “back.” Oh, she was leaving. His grin faded with the slow realization, despite her gentle laughter. He didn't like it when she left, even if she always returned. Mother...The boy looked on after her, still panting as he leaned against the rock wall. Completely enraptured by her retreating form, and still quite absorbed in his own thoughts among the quiet growls and pants of his family, the youth's pale eyes could not leave the entrance. When finally the grey shape disappeared, a soft, almost inaudible sound pressed past his lips. “Muh...” Cernan was barely aware that he had made any noise at all. The quiet child simply sat there with his tongue lolling as if nothing had been said. In reality it was the shortest possible sobriquet that could be used in reference to his mother, and the beginning of something very big for the Vuesain's youngest child.

Wolf © Kurt Thomas Hunt Photography

Background © Chesapeake Bay Program

Manipulation © Jenandra

The rumbling tones of his father's voice were the first things to break the pup's concentration. Curiously he tore his gaze from the exit; casting attentive pale blue eyes over the agouti male's face. None of these utterances were making any sense to him, but the child stared on anyway. Even if he didn't understand it was fascinating to hear his parents talk. However, delight soon lightened the prince's expression. Dad had said his name! Cernan's pastel eyes widened; his lips softening into a slight smirk at the recognition. His father's tone was a sort of playful one, which was always good. The boy's intrigued, amused expression only intensified when the gentle laughter met his little ears. Daddy was happy, with him it seemed.

The king's last word erased the smile from the youth's face. Suddenly he remembered the sound that had just barely snaked past his tongue moments before. Had he... communicated with the bigger being? Could he even do that? The confusion was plain on Cernan's face as he stared doe-eyed at his secondary caretaker. The gears had not quite clicked. Now his father was staring at him too; like he expected the pup to do something. Quite unsure, the prince's mouth hung open gingerly. He'd been focused on his mother then, not his sire. He had a different sound entirely attached to him. Before the little tot could begin wondering what he was supposed to say, the voice of the grey guardian mumbled in. Again his limited attention was stolen away, first toward his mother, but swiftly torn again toward the new object she'd dropped on the floor.

He'd barely managed to smile in greeting before his eyes locked onto the peculiar ball. It was unlike anything he'd encountered before. A questioning glance found its way to the queen's face, and he discovered her to be happy looking. This ball couldn't be bad then, right? Slowly the child rose, plodding curiously toward the new toy. It looked like the green stuff from outside, but shorter. It didn't come off in leaves or stems at all. The thing smelled weird too. Again he looked for his mother, just to be sure of her confidence in this ...thing. No worry or concern laced her features, so he did the next thing that came to mind – bite it. Abruptly the boy released his grip, licking his mouth as the alien liquid pooled between his jaws. It was like milk, but tasteless and more runny. And it was so much colder! His little brows did their best to furrow. Cernan regarded the liquid fuzz ball with the most serious expression he could manage. Rather than fill his mouth with the stuff, a paw was cast out next. Again the liquid pooled around his touch. This time it came across as quite refreshing. His paw felt better! The other foot joined in, until his tiny body was sliding forward onto the ball. Oh this was much better! For a moment he simply slid down to the floor; crushing it under his pudge while the water seeped into his fur. Cernan resumed his panting, looking up with droopy eyes at the bringer of such a wonderful gift. She always seemed to know how to help them.

However, it was not long before his puppy fluff had soaked up most of the water, leaving the ball dry and flat. He got up slowly, pawing at the much lighter moss collection. How did you get more of the stuff out of it? A realization began growing in the Vuesain boy's head as he looked up. His eyes searched the den for his father, locking onto the man for a brief moment. Maybe, just maybe he could try making the sound again. Dad had definitely heard it before at least, and it wasn't even meant for him. If mom understood, would she know what he wanted? Looking cautiously back to his dam with bright eyes, Cernan gave it another try.  “Mmm...” How did it sound again? His tone was hushed, airy even. “Mmuh?” His pupils slid from parent to parent. Was he getting it right? He knew he was trying to refer to his mother; to get her attention just like she did when she said their names, so his eyes rested finally on her. Hopefully the brown guardian would understand. Would his mom?  

Wolf © Kurt Thomas Hunt Photography

Background © Chesapeake Bay Program

Manipulation © Jenandra