Drooping Willows Carving Out Memories

Scary story time with mama @Walrus

There was something that stirred amongst the willows as the gentle breeze caused weeping boughs to sway back and forth, raking their finger-like tendrils along the swarthy back of a creature all but ready to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. Olive eyes peered between such swaying boughs, their verdant hue glistening in the failing sunlight that could no longer keep the encroaching shadows at bay. Much to his appreciation for the shadows were friends, aiding in masking the mostly swarthy silhouette of Claw.

Crickets could be heard warming up for their moonlit orchestra, a noise the near grown boy hoped to use to his advantage as paws fell near silently to the ground with each subtle inch closer to his target, tail flicking behind him in built-up anxiousness. Only once the boy felt secure in the distance covered did he make his next move.

ARGGGG!

Muscles coiled and ready to go sprang forth as rear paws pushed off against the earth, launching himself full force into none other than Walrus with bared teeth ready to give his mother's ears a good gnawing for being so aloof. It was she herself that had taught the boy to always be on guard.

By the picking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes

(This post was last modified: Oct 17, 2022, 04:04 AM by Claw.)

Walrus munched happily on the remains of her prey, leaving very little for her son should he find his way back anytime soon. She'd sought to make him as independent as possible over the few past months, for how else did a parent ensure their child's survival? Now that he was rivaling her own large frame, she certainly expected that he could handle keeping himself fed.

She pulled the last strips of muscle and viscera from a femur, then leveraged it against her paw to snap it in half with a relatively loud crack. In the same moment, she heard the familiar patter of Claw's quick steps. Rather than attempt to escape his strike she stayed as she was until he collided into her, and then rolled. A gruff, playful growl rumbled from deep inside her chest as she planned to push out with her legs and throw Claw into the brush on her opposite side.

A false sense of accomplishment flooded the boy's veins upon contact with their bodies, knowing his mother's antics all too well. Her body began to roll beneath the weight of his own equally large frame and it was then that despite Claw's valiant efforts, his attempt at launching a surprise attack and perhaps earning himself a free snack in the process was futile. He had gotten quick, but she was still quicker.

Her playful growl was met with a throaty growl of his own while twisting about to hopefully avoid the impending kick he knew was coming after all the wrestling matches they shared. His muscles tensed in preparation for it should he not be cleared in time, using the momentum of their rolling to hopefully find his footing and bound in the direction he wanted to go and not in the one she forced him to go in. Claw didn't quite feel like picking debris out of his fur again yet.

Claw had developed to be quite the sore loser.

By the picking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes

There would be a day when he became the greater predator, but not so soon. Still, the growth of his abilities was notable and Walrus was happy to see it even if it meant not always getting her own way. It was something they worked on together, whether they were aware of that or not. Still, he wouldn't get away that easily.

An experienced wolf in her prime, it was nothing for her to twist her limbs back under her and swiftly stand while Claw caught himself. With snapping jaws she chased after him, teeth clicking at his hocks and tail. In her blazing eyes was a mirthful glint, and there was little effort to really sink her fangs into him. A nip or two, though, that could only toughen him up.

The chase began and a gleeful laugh ruptured from Claw while his paws were quickly set back into motion in order to avoid the snapping of his mother's teeth as she raced behind him, hot on his heels and intent on giving his skin a good nip. Unlike the years she had on him to hone her abilities in the stamina department, the swarthy pup wasn't quite up to par yet and eventually the speed his paws mustered wasn't enough to evade her jaws for long.

Her fangs serving a pinch to his hocks signified his loss this time around, yelping to wave his white flag of defeat. He slowed himself down and plopped unceremoniously to the ground with a thud, offering the underneath of her jaw a lick should she bring herself close enough while panting to catch his breath. "Almost.. had ya." He chimed in with a boyish grin settling on his face.

By the picking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes

The chiming of his laughter brought her further happiness, and she let out her own breathy chuckle when the game reached its end and he flopped onto the ground. She dumped herself with just as little grace, their movements and mannerisms overlapping in a that only happened with close family. Her tail gave a few hearty thumps against the ground, and then she twisted around and onto her back, stretching her legs and spine simultaneously.

"Yer improvin'," she conceded, eyes closed as she took a moment to soak in the fresh air and stillness of the forest.

"Maybe one day, yer'll be as stealthy as the Beach Walker."