Bramble Falls i am trying very hard to be here

The two were complete opposites, clearly. Borlla ran at a mile a minute, and it seemed to her that Marsh was having trouble keeping up. On the other hand, when he began to speak, she got a strange glazed over look in her eyes. It was from trying to piece together what question of hers he had answered. She threw words around, but in the end couldn't catch them, leaving her slightly forgetful. She didn't want to be rude and confuse either of them more, so she just nodded, smiling widely, blinking away the glaze.

Her chin tucked into her chest as he closed in, and poked his nose into her face. What was that for? But it seemed he had a question for her now. She sniffled, wondering why he was asking a question like that. What was his intent? What if she was alone, so what? Her eyes narrowed, and she pondered whether or not to lie. He seemed like a nice wolf. What was the point in changing her mind now? "Yup. What of it?" She uncurled herself, and puffed out her chest. "Imma whole..." Her voice trailed off. How old was she? "I'm big!" She decided that it would have to suffice.

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<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>...THE ANTICLIMAX IS A SHOW OF VICTORY</i></b></font>
She was an adorable little puffball, really. Marsh had little to no parental feelings, but he had been in charge of puppies before, and the sense of protectiveness was easily recalled. Besides, Marsh knew her brother and carer, who had his respect despite only having one brief meeting. He deserved to have his sister back, to ensure the survival of his pack. Indru had no mate; he needed his youngest siblings to keep the pack fresh for the next year or two, until he did find one.

Marsh could see the indignation in her eyes just as well on her body, and he laughed softly at her, the noise gruff and animalistic. Her words, surprisingly enough, only carried his amusement. At least she wasn't leaking words now. <b>"<i>Short</i>,"</b> he repeated pointedly, something which she had said herself only moments before. Giving another huff of amusement, he let his belly drop to the ground. It was easier to maintain her eye level when laid down, and, hopefully, it made him less imposing, too. <b>"Should - shuh, shhhuh, should be... with faaamily. Ih... Indru, worry. Vv... nerable."</b>
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>LETS JUST GET OUR WAY WE KNEW WE'RE RIGHT</i></b></font></blockquote>

Vernable? What did that mean? Borlla tilted her head to the side, blinking slowly at him as he came down to her level. "I'm not short." She insisted, sticking her tongue out at him. "I'll get even bigger. And bigger!" She drew herself up, balancing precariously on her hind legs, before toppling backwards. Twisting around, she bumped into his nose, and snorted. "Look what you made me do." She scowled at him, and sat back down again.

"Why would Indru worry?" Dark blue eyes shifted, since she knew perfectly well that she was probably a bit farther from home than anyone would have liked. It was boring being in the woods all day though. "You're a big wolf. If he knew you were here, he wouldn't worry." She assumed he wasn't aware of her absence. He had no reason to worry in the first place.

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<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>SPREAD THE WISDOM THERE'S SOMETHING I HAVE TO TELL YOU</i></b></font>
She <i>was</i> short! Her insistence to the contrary was pointless, a display of ego she had no right to own, but Marsh supposed she was young; she would either grow out of it, or grow <i>into</i> it. She had the potential to be a fierce little bitch, but right now she was a soft baby who was very, very far from home.

Her little display of clumsiness only proved his point, though it only really served to increase his sense of protectiveness. How had she survived so long with this careless attitude? Why didn't Indru place a guard on her? Did nobody realise how valuable she was? Borlla's continuing comments seemed to suggest that no, she did not, and her subsequent remarks made Marsh feel a little bitter. He wasn't sentimental, and he wasn't doing this out of any sense of moral good. He simply had no quarrel with Indru, and keeping Borlla alive was keeping his species alive. She was his daughter as much as anyone would ever be.

<i>You're a big wolf.</i> Compared to Borlla, yes, yes he was. Marsh quickly realised that he had an opportunity to help her understand him better, understand him without the need for words - because those were undoubtedly failing him.

In a moment, Marsh went from peaceable guardian to rippling snarls and all teeth.

His hackles raised, his tail curved over his back, his lip curled up and his muzzle wrinkled with the fierce expression, lifting himself up to tower over the tiny puppy. His many facial and bodily scars added to the menace quite adequately, proving, even if she did not understand fighting, that he was a very battered and toughened beast. Though he did not move, having no true intent to harm her, he made sure to give every sign that he meant absolutely <i>no good at all</i>.
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO WORRY MY SWEET THING</i></b></font></blockquote>

Normally, Borlla thought herself impervious to fear. Sure, she could be surprised or jumpy, but frightened? Never. At this very moment, she was scared out of her mind. It was the last thing she'd been expecting and therefore, it was horribly unpleasant in two ways. One, she was convinced that this wolf that she thought had been very nice (quiet, but nice), was about to eat her. Two, she was frightened. She liked to think she was big, and this was quite a let down.

Backing up was no option, as she'd fall right back into the water, and he'd probably let her drown. And she certainly couldn't get past him. He was bigger and therefore, faster. Her ears were pressed against her skull, and she did the only thing she could do. Curl into the ball and hope it ended quickly. "Eat me fast, okay mister." The pup muttered, shuddered as hard as she ever would. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and she braced herself for the attack.

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<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>ISN'T IT GREAT HOW EASY IT IS TO FAKE</i></b></font>
It had the desired effect.

Marsh quietened his snarls the moment he heard her talking (odd time to be talking, but it was too late to be surprised) and was taken aback by their meaning. For a moment, he doubted that he had heard right at all. The notion of eating her was ridiculous enough (even if he had had malicious intent, he would not have <i>eaten</i> her), let alone her terrified-yet-controlled submission to the situation. Where was her sense of survival? Perhaps she finally understood, and could comprehend her own fragility. Either way, his point had been made, and thus he returned to mildness, smoothing his fur and dropping his tail and lip once more. She would open her eyes and see that he was no longer fierce in her own time.

<b>"Sss, see,"</b> he said gently, sitting back down. He made sure to keep a little more distance from her now; he didn't want her to think that he was going to leap up at her again, and therefore a little personal space was necessary. <b>"Easy,"</b> he explained, meaning the act of killing her. <b>"Should... shuh, should <i>becareful</i>. Not, tt, big... yet."</b> After a moment's pause, he offered her a rare, awkward smile, though ended it quickly; it probably wasn't a good thing to bare his teeth right now.
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>WE ARE WHAT WE NEED TO BE AS AND WHEN</i></b></font></blockquote>

What was that? Still curled up and shivering, she was surprised to not feel teeth sinking into her. Maybe she was already dead. The angry sounds certainly stopped. Cautiously, the little girl uncurled. The sun was still up, the dull roar of the waterfall behind them could still be heard, and Marsh was still sitting there. But he didn't look so angry anymore. In fact, it was Borlla that looked mad now, although it was nothing compared to the male's earlier display.

"What was that all about?" She looked furious, yet her voice still shuddered with fear. She didn't move an inch towards or away from him. "I thought you were nice! What was that for?" In all honesty, she didn't care much what his answer was. She just wanted him to go away now. "Meaniehead." Her eyes watered, and she just glared at him through the welling tears. She caught what he said, not quite sure what he meant...Well, sort of. It clicked a little, but it didn't stop her from being a very angry and frightened puppy.

Through her snuffles, she loosened up her glare, accepting his words. Okay, so she wasn't as big as she thought she was. She was big enough not to run away though...That had to count for something. Her ego, which had shattered a moment ago, glued itself together again, minus a few pieces. But she didn't really need those anyway.

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*squishes Borlla*

<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>TURN IT ON AND TURN IT OFF LIKE A SWITCH</i></b></font>
She did realise in the end, of course, and her reaction was understandable. It had been cruel, perhaps, but necessary, and though the reality of Marsh's 'lesson' didn't seem to entirely sink in, it was hard to believe that she hadn't understood at all. But then again, there were many nonsensical things she had displayed so far which utterly defied her continued existence, so perhaps she didn't understand.

Were all younglings so difficult?

Her wordy indignation was fairly easy to follow, though her description of Marsh as 'nice' made him snort. What relevance did niceness have to anything? Her childish insult almost went over his head - due in part to her unusual addition of that word to 'meanie' - but he understood her intent from her tone and eyes perfectly fell. Let her be affronted! Though it did raise questions about her upbringing. Had her mother been soft? Was Indru? He could almost believe the latter, since the leader had been thrust into his role, but surely no responsible mother would allow her offspring to lead themselves in danger so easily.

Again - she was still alive how?

The motions of acceptance and comprehension went through her little face, which helped Marsh to finally believe that he had made some ground, but he was not made to be a teacher. Not for a puppy who seemed to expect verbal explanation, at least. Her acceptance prompted Marsh to relax, however, and had she been a little bigger, he may have found it good reason to leave the meeting as it were. But she was not big, and she was far from home, and he had already put too much effort into her survival to just dump it all now. <b>"Ccc, comeon, Short,"</b> he muttered, standing in order to move quietly behind her in a shepherding motion. He leant down to push his nose under her rump, so to help shove her forwards. <b>"H-h-hhh-<i>home</i>."</b>
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>LOOK HERE I AM NOW HERE I'M NOT</i></b></font></blockquote>

she's a butt. XD squish her hard. (and we be ending it now, i guess?)

Folded almost into herself, she watched him cautiously as he came around behind her. Short. So that was her name now? Borlla's eyes narrowed, and she shifted up onto her paws. What was wrong with this wolf? It utterly confused her how he shifted back and forth like that. Well, not really shifted, since it was a one-time-thing his little scary display. But he was trying to get her home now. So...He was kind of trustable, especially after what he'd said before.

Still slightly confused, she jumped forward when he nudged her, and gave an indignant sniff, before plodding quickly towards the trees. "Thanks, I guess. I can get home myself though." She cast a dark eyed glance over her tiny shoulder at the weird male, and made a run for the trees. If he overtook her, so be it, but she was going to hold onto what scrape of dignity she had left. It made her feel a bit guilty, after what he'd done to help her (whether or not she'd understood it) before, but it didn't stop her feet from moving.

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Orrr we could say that Indru can pop in soon? :3 In a round or two, mayhaps, let them get a little closer? Could make a new thread, even, in the right territory.

<blockquote><font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>DESPITE IT ALL THERE'S NO GOOD IN PRETENDING IT'S NOT REAL</i></b></font>
The kid had guts, you had to give her that. Sensibly, she didn't fight his encouragements, and even offered thanks. Perhaps she had understood? Marsh was pleased for a moment, but then she bolted, moving as fast as her little self-proclaimed <i>short</i> legs could take her, leaving him with a remnant of her surviving ego; she can get herself home.

Marsh let her run for a few seconds, long enough to breathe a weary sigh. She would understand one day. Preparing himself by giving a brief, body-wide shiver, he sprang forwards, leaping lightly onto his forepaws and then the cycle started, and he was chasing and she was the prey.

Except she wasn't, of course; he simply wanted to encourage the sense of game in her. There was no point in pushing a serious fact onto a puppy who was so determined not to see it, but she would see it one day. It didn't mean that Marsh was willing to let her run off and into some truly hostile thing, though. He hadn't ever crossed into Indru's territory, or terribly near it, so he didn't really know how far it was. As such, he deemed it wise to act as escort.

In case she didn't realise she was being pursued, he let out a playful yip, rather overdoing the enthusiasm and childishness for her benefit. He hoped that she didn't think he had ill intent, that he had just been faking it, even if she didn't fully understand why. If she did, there would undoubtedly be incriminating <i>words</i> spoken, and to be so direly misunderstood via such an easily misunderstood mode of communication would be shameful.
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b><i>SOMETIMES YOU LOOK THROUGH THE GLASS AND THERE IT IS</i></b></font></blockquote>