Cedarwood Forest hey soul sister

It was funny to think, really, that the older Tomen got the more playmates he got. He was old enough to think of fooling around as a tiny bit childish, nearing the brink of his first year and ready to join the adult ranks, but it was a good thing he didn't care too much. Pip was a whole year older and she didn't care about messing around in the creek with the frogs, so why should he? Being morose and cheerless had been so exhausting and dull. He was glad it hadn't lasted too long. Watching the sweet mute girl now, he found it difficult to believe that there wasn't plenty in life worth enjoying, even if life did sometimes do its best to screw with you.

"You know, I dunno if I've heard anyone talk about this place," he said lightly, laughing as he managed to bop the toad with his nose, sending it into the shallow water with a quiet plop. Seconds later it emerged, looking much more shiny and yet no more perturbed than before... maybe they just only had one expression, which was always set to kinda disgruntled? Giving it a moment's peace, he glanced up at where Pip was chasing a frog of her own, Tomen's tail high and wagging contentedly above his rear. "D'you think we should give it a name? Hah, I'm, uh, not very imaginative. Nineva would be better at this. Frog Creek?"

Just as @Tomen bopped his frog on the nose, Pip mouthed her own, gently holding it in her mouth where it squirmed and pressed against her tongue and teeth with its back legs. A nasty taste coated her tongue, causing the little female to immediately drop the frog in favor of making a disgusted face. She licked at her lips continuously as foam began to form in earnest at the corners of her mouth. As there was plenty of it available, the sea wolf began to lap at the water at her paws, rinsing the nasty taste away.

When only the barest of bitterness lingered, she lifted her head to address his question. Frog Creek was a suitable name! She chirped her approval, eyes falling back to her frog who now crawled sedately away from her, seemingly unworried that she'd make a go for him again. He was very right. The sound was met by the croaking and chirping of other frogs in the area, drawing Pip's ears forward with interest. Cocking her head, she chirped again experimentally and was rewarded when the chorus began again. Her nose crinkled with amusement, glittering eyes smiling at Tomen in shared laughter. Pip continued her short chirps in encouragement for her new amphibian choir until she moved to dance around her packmate in excitement. Did he hear?! Did he hear them? It was so fun! He should try, too!

Fade with yours? <3

Tomen smiled at Pip's approval, though couldn't help but feel like she kinda had to... it was that, or try to play charades in order to suggest her own name for this particular creek. The woman was entirely good-natured, that much was obvious by just spending a little time with her, and Tomen thought it likely she'd have made happy sounds no matter how awful his suggestion.

But then something curious happened; her chirp caused the frogs to respond in kind, sending ripples of throaty sounds up and down the creek. Entertained, Pip did it again, and was rewarded by more croaks, which set her off, the wordless woman skipping around the bemused and amused Tomen as she sang back and forth with their amphibious companions.

"You're right," he said smoothly, hopping forward to join her in her dancing, having been struck by a bright idea: "That's a much better name. Frog Chirp Creek!" He darted forward to place a quick kiss on her nose, and then move to prance away down the creek, giving a deeper chirp of his own to see if the frogs would respond to him. "Good idea, Pip." Her cheeriness was contagious, and Nineva had slipped from his mind entirely, the boy distracted by singing frogs and grumpy toads and a charming mute girl.

Only a truly keen observer would have noticed the way Pip's dancing became more of a nervous skittering when @Tomen unexpectedly bounded forward to join in her joy. Covering it well, she smiled and continued on playfully without missing another beat when it was clear he hadn't intended to frighten her. His bright personality did well to reassure her and she beamed as he then declared the place as Frog Chirp Creek after her own chirping.

Pip blinked with surprise when the younger boy kissed her nose sweetly before darting away. She licked her own nose in response, her face feeling hot with embarrassment beneath her fur. She'd never been kissed by someone who wasn't related or in comfort before. Yvly and Veho had of course given her kisses, but it was different. Any embarrassment fell away as Tomen offered a chirp of his own. The little female's chest shook with silent laughter and delight as the frogs responded in kind, though the deeper croaks of bull frogs seemed more enticed by his call than her own.

With wagging tails, the pair continued their playful romp until the sky had grown colorful with sunset, painting the forest around them in a soft light. Though she hated to cut the fun day short, they really ought to get back to the den. The others would be worried!

Thread fade~