Black Thorn Downs come onto thee

Tokino flashed his teeth in a grin as Noble flitted through and around his legs. He hoped she wouldn't make that a habit since the girl wouldn't be that small for too long. They grow so fast... He thought wistfully barely able to remember his days as a pup. He tipped his head forward to nip gently, playfully at her rear end as it flew by. The little princess ran ahead causing Tokino to worry just a bit.

Don't go too far honey! he called to her just as she stopped to look back at him. At a comfortably slow pace Tokino led his children around towards his large boulder.

Eying the smooth flat top of the large stone, Kino sighed wishing he could stay for a while and snooze. Maybe I can? Though I would have to probably tell the kids a story to keep them occupied and out of trouble. He rumbled thoughtfully before glancing down to Noble. With a smile he nudged the girl towards the boulder then looked for Kova.

He wasn't there.

Turning 380 degrees on his toes, Tokino searched the undergrowth sighing in relief as he spotted the back end of Kova. The boy has stopped to look at something underneath a bush. Kova over here boy... He invited the lad over then growled low as Kova didn't come. Either he hadn't heard him or he was so fascinated by something that Tokino's command went in one ear and out the other.

Darn it boy what are yo- His thoughts paused as Tokino strode over, lowered his head close to the ground, and spotted what Kova was ogling.

Eh Noble come over here look at this before its gone. Tokino beckoned his daughter with a flick of his silver tail before peering into the bush at their feathered friend.

This is a burrowing owl. They are called that because these guys dig into the ground to make their nests.Tokino examined the creature from his place amazed that the owl was staying still in the presence of the three wolves. He briefly wondered whether the bird might be keeping a mate and nest safe before glancing towards his pups to make sure they didn't bother the little bird.

Like a mystery without a clue

Minka & Tokino

There is no me if I cannot have you

(This post was last modified: Sep 23, 2014, 09:54 PM by Tokino.)

@Kova
sorry for holding this up tabs!

When Kova stopped Noble did not pause with him. Any other time she would have gone back to him, but today she left him to wander forward. This was farther than she had gone before and she just had to see what was behind the huge rock. Noble rarely needed egging on, there was always something new to see and she was only happy to comply with her brother. She disliked it when he fell behind however, and would stop and pester him until he was once again moving. It was an inborn protectiveness to keep her brother close, but at five weeks it just came out sounding like sibling bossiness. 'Jus' a bit longer...' or 'Hurry up!' she would urge him.

But their dad was here today. No harm could possibly come while he was here. So, while Kova had stopped to observe something in the dirt Noble had toddled forward. It was not nearly as exciting behind the rock as she'd been hoping. The ground was littered with leaves and last-years brittle berry canes. She eyed one with a sad whine, they hurt to chew on. She whined again, louder. She was bored. At her fathers voice she scrambled over.

She pushed her little body under Tokino to stare at the bird in delight. It stared right back at her and Noble laid down with her black little nose pointed directly at the bird. It looked soft and it was the perfect size. She shuffled a little closer to it with an awkward army crawl. Tokino glanced down just then and caught his daughter inching forward. She froze and looked up hopefully at him. "A game?", she asked. It would probably make a wonderful plaything.

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

@Noble- Tis okay cause I just held it up too

The little boy grinned as Tokino sauntered over to look at the owl that had captured his son's attention. Kino called Noble over, as if she had been walking onwards without them. Kova didn't care if she came over or not, Noble would most likely try to scare the bird away. "This is a bird?" Kova whispered the question to himself as he listed off the creatures features in order to properly identify it. He could see that it had a weirdly shaped beak, feathers, wings, and really big scary eyes. Everything but the things eyes told him that it was a bird that Kova was looking at and not a strange looking monster. Kova gazed at the bird as Noble appeared to his left crouching down to view the little feathered creature. Kova wished he knew what the bird was called, but before he was able to question its name, Tokino was able to answer it as if he could read the silver boys thoughts. "A burrowing owl!" Kova cocked his head to the other side then glanced to where Noble was. She was crouched downwards trying to crawl towards the bird as it watched them from deeper under the bush. Kova stared at her in alarm. He knew that birds were really fast and that they scared easily. He had figured that out after trying to catch the robins in a game of tag just outside the den. "Nooo! Noble dun't! It's gonna go away!" Kova whimpered before reaching for his sisters tail to try and grab it. He stood up a bit to reach forward and felt the thorns prick the top of his neck.

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

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@Tokino

It was looking right at her. Huge, unblinking eyes aimed right at the black pup. The burrowing owl knew which of the three wolves was trouble. Noble grinned widely at it, displaying a fine set of needle-like milk teeth, and pushed forward again. She'd seen the older wolves carrying around animals. They were always coming and going with all sorts of dangling critters, sometimes they would even give them to her mum or dad. Their true purpose hadn't yet been explained yet, and with simple puppy logic Noble had assumed they were toys. And Noble wanted a toy of her own.

She scooted herself under the brush, collecting thin twigs and pieces of leaves in her fuzzy coat. There really wasn't a thought out plan. Noble wanted the bird so it followed that she should get closer to it. She imagined it would just sit there and wait for her. Would it jump into her mouth or would she have to pick it up?

It backed away and Noble giggled. Silly thing. Her laugh echoed gently under the brush, in sharp contrast to the noise the owl made. It chattered loudly, strident and sharp. In an instant the owl went from a plaything to something scary. Noble shrunk into the leaf litter, suddenly reconsidering the wisdom of this decision. She was all set to back out, leave this fierce little bird alone, when something grasped a hold of her tail. Thoroughly frightened now, a trembling growl came from her chest and she spun in a little circle to see behind her. Seeing her brother she scrambled out, a shaky mess of black fur, wide blue eyes, and dried leaves.

She wrinkled her noise and announced, "It yelled at me!"... as if they somehow hadn't heard. Now safely with her brother and father, she had the confidence to be indignant. She looked over at the bush with narrowed eyes and stepped closer to Tokino. She was indignant, but she wasn't brave enough to go back under and look at it.

Tokino is referring to this story-> http://www.amazon.com/Wabi-Heros-Tale-Joseph-Bruchac/dp/0142409472
^Tis a really good read

The gray wolf watched curiously as his progeny examined the owl. Kova seemed happy enough to simply view the creature from their current distance away, but Noble began to inch closer. The elder males belly rumbled in amusement as Noble ducked under the bush and started closer to the owl. His icy gaze flicked to Kova while the boy tried to keep Noble from bothering the little owl. The king did not move forward to nip his daughter for he believed that she would learn not to bother other non-prey creatures on her own. His glittering gaze watches the bird silently as it squawks and screeches at Noble driving the child back. With a chuckle Tokino let his nose rest softly on his beloved daughters shoulders.

Lesson learned... he thought quietly while smiling gently at the little princess. Owls are not afraid of us because they know that we shouldn't hurt them. I don't think they would taste good anyway. Tokino purred before licking his cherished night furred child on her crown. His probing gaze searched the bushes while the owl gazes right back at Tokino. It wasn't screeching anymore, but it was still standing in its spot defiantly.

Deciding not to bother the creature anymore Tokino tries to sway his children's attention and take the spot light. Owls are very smart, and they chase and capture smaller animals like we sometimes do. Things like mice are what they eat. Remember the mice I brought you two to snack on? Tokino backs up from his children and the owls nesting place. His heart yearned for the nice view he had from that rather large flat boulder.

Would you two like to hear of a story about a great and mysterious owl and his wolf friend? Tokino prompted while slowly padding towards his boulder and trying to draw the kids away. Perhaps they would welcome yet another one of his imaginary stories? One of the stories that had been passed down by his fathers fathers.

(exit)

Like a mystery without a clue

Minka & Tokino

There is no me if I cannot have you

(This post was last modified: Dec 01, 2014, 03:53 AM by Tokino.)

@Kova

Her pride and the ends of her ears were still tingling. She'd only wanted to play a game and it had yelled at her. Kova would be in trouble if he had yelled like that, Noble was sure. Tokino had not yet jumped forward to punish the bird and Noble looked up at him hopefully. Her ears folded back winningly as he comforted her. She patiently accepted his explanation, sighing as it was crossed off her list of potential fun. If she couldn't catch them and couldn't eat them there were significantly less interesting to the girl. Without another glance at the bush she followed after her father.

She nodded vaguely at his question. There were so many things to smell, chew, and chase that she sometimes lost track of everything. Certainly her father would never trick her so it was safe to agree. The owl and it's insult was nearly forgotten as she scurried after Tokino, glancing back once for her brother. Her pace was idle, attention clearly wandering in her quest for another 'adventure'. She had just found a suitable stick and was collapsing with the intention of chewing the end to ribbons when Tokino spoke up. He wanted to tell a story about a wolf and an owl. The girl hesitated. She didn't like owls anymore and glanced back to the bush and the little bird it sheltered. Maybe it was about a nice owl? Or she could learn how to trick owls? Either way she was intrigued. Her blue eyes searched for her dad and she whined a yes in answer.

Kova amuses himself by staring at the owl from a far as his father fusses over Noble. The young male was quite used to their father doting upon Noble, even if Tokino had often said that he didn't and couldn't have a favorite. Kova always knew that Kino favored his little girl Noble. The gray pup didn't mind not having all the attention once in a while. Although he certainly enjoyed getting attention, Kova felt quite fine about letting others have the limelight. Today was just one of those days. When the mention of a story came to Kova's ears he immediately sat up, his attention shifted to Tokino while the boy leaned towards the wiry gray male. As Noble and Kino start off without him, the young wolf stands and begins padding after his family. His ears pricked forward as the youth listens to Tokino's words. Kova always liked a good story. (fade) "Speech"

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