Charred Ash Draw When life hits you hard like a train wreck

Would love Lacey to meet one or some of her pack mates. :x

The bright light outside was brighter than usual. Lacey made the observation from the deep dark of the den, which was somehow less deep and less dark than in days previous. Dust motes drifted lazily in the halo of the entryway. Not for the first time,Lacey was drawn to the den's entrance, but for once it was for a specific purpose. She popped in and out of the den several times most days, but usually it was idle and aimless movement, the endless curiosity of a pup that encompassed all things. Today, however, she was singularly focused on the light and how much brighter it was.

Unbeknownst to her, her focus was sharpening. She was developing more of a mind. Each day, she was less driven by pure instinct and more thought was added to her actions. Her early personality, the very basics of it, was unfolding. Lacey was already headstrong for a pup her age, but with her mind set to something, she was quickly becoming an unstoppable little force.

So it was that she escaped the den and the confines of its entryway both, and struck out into the sunny clearing. It was early morning, too early for the insects to be out and about, but the tittering of birds and chattering of small woodland creatures was abundant at this hour. Her ears, newly risen into giant triangles rather than floppy flaps, twitched of their own accord in every direction and her eyes quickly followed. The leaves overhead masked the brunt of the sun's glare, but she felt its warmth keenly. It was similar to Maera's warmth, and Kerberos', and it lent her more energy than she felt she'd ever had.

With a playful squeak of a growl, Lacey tackled an upturned root that lay across a dirt patch farther from the den than she'd ever been allowed to go before. Thoughts of consequence were far from her mind as she chewed on the dirty wood. In spite of her rapid mental development, cause and effect remained a concept she couldn't yet grasp. That her parents or an adult could stumble upon her and scold her for wandering away simply never occurred to her. Besides, Lacey would soon enough prove to be an utterly unbridled wolf for whom punishment rarely worked.

(This post was last modified: May 29, 2017, 12:55 AM by Lacey.)

The signal of daylight ushered his eyes open. Was it actually morning or had it long passed? Stretching his tongue across his snout, it felt like he'd been not only eating dirt but licking the fine particles. His mouth was dry and scratchy as his tongue. There was a faint drip coming from his cold nose. He looked around the den believing the others were still at rest. So perhaps this was morning then. A sharp intake of air, he rose, pushing past the stiffness and the ache. His shoulder still throbbed but it was better than it had been. Maybe, between the good weather, and Naira he was actually mending. Now to actually get out of the den. The idea of moving even more sounded painful, but he pressed out into the sun, harshly forcing his eyes to adjust quickly.


After dimness and black spots disappeared he could not see anyone else out and about. Folding his ears back, he pressed on slowly at first. Merely taking in the view of his lands, trying to keep his forward movement. If he moved more, even with the pain, it had to help some how, right? Between the songs of the birds, and warmth of the sun he heard the faintest sound. Playful, and young. Which one of the pups were out? 

It wasn't the first time a pain of guilt lit in his chest, but it tugged at him none the less. He had been of little use to his pack, his children. He felt so overwhelmed by all of it. Things he had missed, things he could be doing to help. Everything else in between that would always bother his heart. This new push from life left him quite disoriented, but at least right now he felt more himself. Maybe, he should have pushed himself sooner.

With a tight swallow, he followed the clear trail the cub had left. It felt tedious with the limp in his stride, but his eyes found the glow of her tawny pelt. She was having an epic battle against a tree. A picture that brought a smile to the Tainn. Considering her age she had managed quite a ways all by herself, but to him she was not in immediate danger. She was at least still within range of the den, not far from those who wished to keep her safe. All children seemed to like to divagate now and again. Besides he was here, keeping an eye on her. "We can find a stick you can pack around," he murmured, hoping not to startle her.

(This post was last modified: Jun 30, 2017, 02:24 PM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?