Nomads Pass Growing Pains

@Nova Puppy play time? :D

Aponi Aquila Boredom, this was the only word that could be used to describe the princess of the pass, she felt contained within the territory and longed to explore without adult supervision. Aponi had began to push the barriers of what she was and wasn't allowed to do, for example she could roam wherever she wished within the territory but couldn't leave the borders without a grown up, so instead she danced along the scented area. @Nova would never let her leave, she would run home and tattle to Ma should the tiny fae even step one paw over the border, the girl was like a warden. Instead tiny paws followed the border like a path, until she had climbed high upon the pass and reached a boulder which was much too tall for her to climb. The brow upon her forehead furrowed in concentration, the once black hairs were beginning to be replaced by silver and this was evident upon her muzzle and skull. At first this had caused her wonder as she stared into pools and noticed the change, no longer did she look like her taller sister, but now it was taken for granted. Sidling up to the rock blue eyes flashed over its surface, examining it for a way around the boulder. Finally the orbs settled on the side of the rock, the way it rested against the wall of the bluff created a small crevice, just big enough for the girl to squeeze through. Pushing her body through Aponi pulled herself out the other side, finding that the path was much steeper now the boulder seemed much shorter on this side. Leaping upwards the princess' paws scrabbled for purchase, claws sliding along the rock at first in vain before they caught on tiny fissures. Muscles worked in overdrive until she had pulled herself on top of the boulder with a huff of exertion heaving from her lungs. Settling down in victory her blue eyes surveyed her kingdom, from the mountainous paths to the forest far below everything she could see belonged to her. One day she would follow in her mother's footsteps and become queen of the mountain.

Nova wasn't difficult to please, often finding entertainment in the smallest of natural. A spider spinning a web, a soaring hawk searching for prey, a trail of sticky sap dribbling down the side of a tree, were all sources of wonder for Nova, and the girl would get so wrapped up in watching these things she would hardly notice that her sister had left her far in the dust. Sometimes, Nova managed to track the wayward sister down and bring her back, and if that proved too difficult or if Aponi ventured farther than Nova would dare to herself, she had no qualms bringing Ma into it.

Luckily this time she didn't have to do such a thing, finding that Aponi's trail stayed somewhat within the borders. She was somewhat confused when she came to where she expected her sister to be and could see her anywhere. It was only until looking up did Nova see her perched on what must have been a tiny mountain! Her jaw dropped, yellow eyes blinking incredulously before she trotted up for a closer investigation.

Nova braced her floppy paws against the side of the rock, gangly long hind legs shoving against the ground in a futile attempt to make it to the top to join Aponi. A few awkward hops were all the pup managed to accomplish before inadvertently slipping and tumbling backwards. Sprawled back on the ground, rounded yellow eyes stared up at Aponi in a sort of shocked expression. Nova wasn't yet large enough for the fall to really hurt, it was more her ego that was bruised at the moment. "'Poooooniiii," She cried, beginning with a low whine that climbed all the way up to a shrill shriek. "How's you get dere?" Nova grumbled, more to herself than anything else. Soon enough she was back on her feet, but wise enough to keep all four paws on the solid ground this time rather than risk falling over again. "You's gotsa secret to get up?" She asked. It had to be some sort of trick, otherwise how could her sister make it to the top of the rock while she couldn't?

Aponi Aquila In Aponi's mind she had waited for her sister, in reality it had been a grand total of about 15 seconds, but it had seemed like hours to the princess. Bugs and dirt and birds didn't interest the girl, after all she wasn't a baby anymore and that was baby stuff, she was practically a grown up. Besides she had more fun when her sister wasn't there to slow her down, so she used every excuse she could to ditch her. While Nova was fascinated by little things that were easy to find within the territory the smaller princess of the pass longed to leave the territory and explore, she wasn't happy with rocks and bugs and dirt, she wanted the whole world. So when the lanky form of her sister entered her blue eyed gaze Aponi rolled her eyes dramatically, heaving a huge sigh as if her life as she knew it was over. Still the sight of her sister so far below her sprawled on the ground made her laugh and she stuck her tongue out tauntingly at the other girl. A mischievous smile spread across her face at her sister's words, yeah she had a secret but no way was she telling Nova. No, this rock was hers and no one else's, if her sister wanted she would have to find a way up here to take it from her. Sitting her rump upon the ground Aponi did her best to pretend innocence, "I jumpded!" Blinking down at her sister again she smiled the face of an angel, as if this were obvious and anyone would be able to make that jump. Being innocent was boring though and the devil's grin returned, calling down to her sister, "Betcha you not gonna jump! Betcha you can't!" Turning around Aponi wagged her rear end out insultingly at her sister, if Nova had a problem with her actions she would have to get on the rock to get her to stop and that would mean getting up here. Practically skipping she pranced around the top of the boulder, her muzzle to the sky and tail flung like a banner. The whole while Aponi giggled delightedly at her game which she was sure to win, every once and a while turning to stick her tongue out at her sister.

It was not uncommon for the boy to dither around the borders of the pack or even wander over them. He did not wander far, given that he knew the outside world to be dangerous, but he was not afraid of punishment from his mother, either- Sagacity, the scout, was most well-known as a traveler and seemed to take some pleasure in hearing from her son what he'd been doing during the day and where he'd been. When the topic of the borders came up, he, like any other pup, was discouraged from straying from the pack.But he was not forbidden. Instead, he was urged to use his senses- and above all else, never to go too far, lest he be unable to find his way back. And so, restrained by his own common sense, he found himself free to roam as he felt comfortable, but he didn't ask for too much in the way of freedom. Since it had been granted, he did not lust for it.

He wanted to be swift and able to travel long distances, like his mother, but hunting was his biggest interest. He liked food- his body demanded lots of it, and as a result, he'd been growing at quite a rate. His paws were large and legs, though long, were relatively sturdy. He wasn't the most graceful creature, but he did have a rangy stride and some sort of coordination to keep himself from tumbling over too much.

The sound of the princesses' high voices caught his attention. He was somewhat wary of Aponi, as the more fiery of the two, but still liked her well enough simply because she had spirit. Nova was not quite so rough-and-tumble, but was more reasonable- so between the two of them, there was balance. Mercy, needless to say, wanted to fit in there somewhere. Naira had fed him as well, and had given him no reason to believe that she didn't love him too, so he hoped that in light of this, the girls would allow him to play with them. He maintained a respectful position in reference to them, simply because he knew he was the bastard boy- the one found in the wild- and they were princesses. But it didn't trouble him too much.

Presently, Aponi was perched on top of a seemingly impossible to reach boulder and looked quite smug about it. Nova on the other hand did not look quite so pleased, so he hoped he wasn't interrupting some sibling quarrel and approached with his ears flicked forward but head lowered to show a respectful greeting- tail wagging from side to side behind him in an uncontrolled, puppy-like way. "Hi Nova," He said, greeting the more crestfallen of the two first. "Hi Aponi," He said, lifting his voice to reach her. And, since she seemed to be the topic of interest- or, at least, her position was, he tilted his head to the side."You gonna jump down?" He asked innocently. It looked pretty high- but if she'd managed to get up there, and he could see no other way then for her to have jumped up, it only made sense, then, that she'd jump down, right?

Nova's face wrinkled in thought as she considered the act of Aponi simply jumping to the top of the rock. The furrowing of her black brow deepened further at the challenge she wouldn't-- couldn't make it up there as well. The desire to impress Aponi was overwhelming, and it was an insatiable need to show her sister, and everyone else for that matter, that she was capable of more than was expected. Nova snorted, and with a determined scowl on her wedge shaped face she backed up to prepare for the big jump, rump in the air as she waggled it to steady herself. If 'jumpded'ing was all there was to it, there was no reason that she could not as well. Nova almost wished that Momma and Appa were there too, to witness what Nova was about to accomplish.

Too wrapped up in imagining the praise she'd get once she was up there dancing on top of that rock right up along with Aponi, Nova failed to notice the approach of the third cub of the pack. It was as Nova's paws left the ground did she hear Mercy's voice. Her big paws snagged onto one of the high edges of the boulder, and she managed to cling on only long enough to catch the faint scent of victory before it slid out from under her claws. Slowly, pathetically Nova scraped back down the side of the boulder, where she was deposited in a sad lump at it's bottom. Failed again.

Nova picked herself up off the ground with a shake of her thin fur, covering up the ache of having failed to measure up to Aponi with a hasty smile towards Mercy. "Course she ain't. She doesn't wanna show the secret!" She said to him. Nova whipped her head back and up, glaring towards Aponi as if that alone would make her spill the secret. There had to be more to it than just jumping!

Aponi Aquila Aponi saw the boy approaching before her sister realized and a sly grin spread across her face, now there were more people here to witness her great accomplishment. Suddenly black claws came precariously close to the top of the boulder and puppy blue eyes narrowed and glared at them, her sister had better not show her up in front of the other pup. When the claws slowly scraped back down the princess let out a laugh once more, her tail flailing about above her, she was still queen of the rock and no one could make her come down. Sitting her rump upon the ground Aponi began preening herself, licking her paws and rubbing them behind her ears, as if she had not a care in the world and it was everyday that she jumped impossible heights and climbed giant boulders. The boy asked a stupid question and the princess glared down at him, he was going to give her secret away if he wasn't careful and then that would be trouble. A growl came from her throat, a sound that had always delighted her ever since she found it that night with Pa, and it brought her great pleasure even now. Her hackles were beginning to silver now as she aged and they stood on end, "You gonna make me?" it was an obvious challenge, one that she often issued. Even as a newborn she had been finding her place in the world, creating herself to be queen of her own hierarchy, queen of the pups and there was no doubt in her mind that one day she would take over for her mother as queen of the pass.

Poor Nova. Just when she tried to clamber up the rock, her claws found no ledge to hang on to and she slid back down onto her rump.Ruefully, Aponi glared at them which didn't go unnoticed by the boy, nor did her challenge. He didn't particularly like the way Aponi treated the already less adventurous Nova, and the attitude she had now didn't make him like it any more. Nova already looked fairly disappointed, and he imagined that she might feel left out. Aponi was being a meany-pants, but Mercy just wanted the two of them to get along. Having failed her first attempt which had been done solo, Mercy thought for a moment before he thought he'd come up with a solution.

"Here Nova," He said, moving toward the base of the ledge on which Aponi stood. She was still fairly high above him, but he stood with one side pressed against the rock and did his best to square his four feet. "D'ya think you can climb up on me, then alla way up?" He asked, willing to be a stepping stool for the princess if she felt inclined to use him as one.

Aponi's challenge rained down on Nova, though it felt to her more like a predictable afternoon shower rather than a torrential downpour. When wasn't her sister tied up in knots about something? Nonetheless, Nova's ears folded back and she ducked her head in placation. Maybe one day she'd fight back, but usually it just wasn't worth it.

Nova peered at Mercy as he approached, thinking that perhaps he was going to try to make the jump. Nova tilted her head, watching him curiously as he instead pressed up against the rock, becoming a portable little grey boulder. She wasn't sure about stepping all over Mercy, and thought that maybe it'd hurt him, but at this point she'd do nearly everything to match her sister. With a nod she clambered up onto Mercy's shoulders, then used the extra height advantage to scrabble up the edge. Pulling herself up onto the top she steadied herself on the cramped surface next to Aponi. Nova's tail wagged proudly behind her, and she stuck her tongue out at her sister. "See! I did it! Mercy's notsa big meanie like you and he helpded me!" Nova's yellow eyes narrowed in a scowl.

Aponi Aquila Aponi watched at first with curiosity as the boy pressed his flank against the rock, her brow furrowed as her blue eyes concentrated on the pups down below. The eyes quickly narrowed and her snout wrinkled in disgust as Mercy turned himself into a stepping stool for her sister, did he not have any pride at all? The process was awkward and fumbling but her sister made it onto the rock and the princess realized that she would now find some other way to one up her sister....and show Mercy exactly what she thought about him for ignoring her challenge. Rolling her eyes at her sister's excitement the princess spat out, "Only babies need help Nova, you such a baby." Turning away a plan hatched in Aponi's mind, turning her muzzle back towards the ground which seemed impossibly far below a sly grin spread once more upon her maw. Looking to Nova her tail flew a rebel banner, she knew very well that her sister would accept whatever challenge she laid before her without question, even if it was dangerous. Sitting her dark rump upon the rock Aponi practically sang a chant, "There's only one way to prove you ain't a baby, but I dunno if you can do it." Feigning disinterest the princess yawned and stretched out her limbs, as if she had no idea that this would rile up her sister into a frenzy and ever so casually mentioned, "You gotta prove you can jump farther and better dan me, you go first, as high an far as ya can, an I'll go next." Blue eyes met gold now, egging her sister on to go ahead and jump.

OOC: Just so ya know- if Nova does decide to jump, you're free to powerplay Mercy trying to soften her landing, 'cause he'd totally do that. :)

The opportunity to help at least one of the princesses pleased Mercy greatly, and while it wasn't terribly comfortable, having even the slender girl climb on top of his back, he bore her weight and the pressure of her dainty feet without groan or grudge. He grimaced lightly when her paws pushed down on one point in his spine or another, but she was smaller and lighter than he and he was able to hold her weight, gritting his teeth as she balanced for a moment on her hind legs before she pulled herself up with one final push. Mercy, glad to be both rid of the weight and to see that his plan had been a success, looked up at the two girls and smiled softly, more to Nova than Aponi, as he could tell the latter of the two was not best pleased that her sister had made it up onto the ledge.

He was very flattered that Nova said he wasn't a big meanie- it was probably the biggest compliment that he'd ever received from either sister, but having expected no thanks, it was quite a treat to receive nonetheless. His ears fell deaf to Aponi's insults- he knew they'd be coming anyway- the moment he saw, in that moment still quite close to the boulder, the small crevice that led along the side and up the boulder. He looked up to where the girls were, and then to the crevice, then up at the girls again. He stepped back a few paces.

He would've exclaimed that he'd found Aponi's way, had Aponi not issued a dangerous challenge- and tried to make her sister go first. "Don' do it, Nova!" He pleaded with her, a soft whine threading its way into his high voice. "S'too far, you'll get hurt!" He said, and stood there, tail lowered but waving from side to side still as he tried to appease her. Just in case she did try to prove herself to her sister, the boy stood ready to fling himself beneath the falling princess to soften her landing as well as he could.