just one second til eternity

sorry for making you wait so long <3

The dark Leader received the shivering boy, instinctively curling her body for his protection even though the violent storm could not reach them within the confines of their earthen den. Immediately she reached for him with her muzzle, licking the cold droplets from his slick coat both to return him from the cold and to erase the evidence from the escapade. Her thundering heart was just starting to ease and the repetitive motion and care for her son brought the amber-eyed she-wolf back to reality. Freed from panic she was able to flash a small smile of gratitude toward Maksim; though an expression was hardly enough payment for saving Mace's life.

Returning her gaze to the eldest boy Ava swallowed the anger that had begun to bubble under beneath her skin, knowing it wasn't true. She was mad because she was scared, and nothing good could come of yelling at her son for his mistake. Absolutely was a little scolding in order, but she was mostly just grateful her little Mace was back safe by the paws of her most trusted pack mate. Lowering her head she touched her nose to his cheek. "You are powerful, little prince," Ava told him, lest a brush with death lead him to forget, "but the world is powerful even more. Nature is a more powerful opponent than anyone you'll ever meet; sometimes you cannot fight." She hadn't intended to preach so much; Ava was certain Mace had learned a lesson without needing to put it in so many words.

Finally she rested her head against the cool dirt, inhaling deeply and appreciating the lesser humidity that she could breathe easier. When Mace stepped away she merely watched him, happy that he hadn't been shell-shocked in to absolute stiffness. Once she understood the direction of his course, toward the green-eyed savior who had plucked him from the cold storm, she would prompt him with a quiet command. "What do you say?"

art - threads

Sort of short; sorry!

Maksim watched with a small smile as Mace closed the gap between mother and child, a shaking wreck from the rather traumatic event he had just endured. Being caught out alone in a storm like this at such an age surely must have been terrifying and the guardian could hardly being to imagine the flood of emotions the youngster felt. Despite that, he knew one that both Ava and her child would be feeling: relief. Mace was safe, all slithers of danger eradicated as he was pressed against the form of his mother, her words a soothing lesson for the cub firmly tucked against her. Surprisingly, the little boy pulled away from Ava and, still trembling though hardly as much, made his way over to Maksim. Strange to think he was somewhat of a hero in the situation. He truly believed any wolf would do what he had done; it only made sense to protect the pups. Frankly, the guardian was lucky that Mace had been brave and smart enough to follow the sound of his voice and not be spooked further by the storm. He watched with green gaze as the boy shrunk down, a damp mess of fur. Lifting his head and positioning his nose under Mace’s chin, he gave a soft, upward nudge to raise the boy up from his sorry state. Chin up, young prince. He expected no thanks, though Ava’s prompt towards her eldest son caused him to chuckle slightly. “You might not be able to fight nature but you can sure as Hell outsmart it.” Rain and thunder had been bested by a den, after all. If that didn’t make Mother Nature snarl then Maksim had no idea what would. MAKSIM BARANSKI “the only thing we’re allowed to do is believe we won’t regret the choices we make”

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

Although it was safe to say that Ava's oral lesson was not lost on Mace, the lesson taught by the wild was much more potent; he would never again forget how the thunder had boomed in his narrow chest, or how the lightning had split the sky and burned his eyes. No amount of words could communicate the fright brought by a storm of that magnitude, nor could they even hint at the gut-wrenching fear of being caught in it unawares. Perhaps one day he would grow out of it, but most assuredly, Mace Attaya would never again be outside in a thunderstorm, not even the mildest of tempests.

If anything, he was more mindful of his mother's command. Maksim's nose pushed his chin a little higher, which made his lips erupt in a quiet giggle, for some reason; possibly the stress and shock wearing off was leaving him giddy, or perhaps he simply didn't understand the gesture. It would never be entirely clear what that momentary laughter had meant, for obediently, the boy met the Guardian's eyes for only a moment and uttered a quiet, “thank'oo, Ma'sim,” a name which was only familiar by the frequency with which his parents used it in their discussions and the brief introduction the pups had had to the pack, before his gaze dropped back to the floor.

However, no matter how sodden and wet he was, no matter how sorry for his behaviour and how frightened he still was, he couldn't help a spark of wonder from lighting his eyes from within when Maksim suddenly spoke of outsmarting the storm. Mace knew what that meant, he thought: smart was how good you were at thinking things, and out was outside, so he imagined it must mean that one could sit outside in the rain, and just thinking about it would make it go away. Eyes wide with amazement, the little Attaya prince chanced an awed whisper of, “really?” that might've seemed a little too interested, given the true definition of “outsmart” was beyond his comprehension.

gorgeous set by kydnt

Throwing this in so the thread is done and archived instead of dead.

The tiny thanks given to the Baranski was truly not necessary, yet the agouti brute was touched. They were good kids, the Attaya litter, and he was certainly lucky to have the privilege of watching them grow day by day. A healthy bunch of black pudgy pups, indeed, and he was sure that each would grow to be even more impressive than they were now. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what his own offspring would be like. The day his family name was graced by new flesh and blood would be a day of celebration, surely. Would news travel home to his family one day? He was sure that, if it did, they would all celebrate the success of Maksim’s dream. After all, if he were to have healthy pups, it would mean he would have come into leadership of his own pack. The spark in Mace’s eye at Maksim’s mention of outsmarting Mother Nature was noticed and the guardian of the Rapids gave a wink to the boy. Such words must have seemed so impressive to the youngster, especially considering how terrifying the thunder and lightning must have been. Outsmarting Mother Nature … now there was a story with a lesson. “Why, of course,” he rumbled in response, “perhaps I shall tell you when you’re a little bit older, hm?” A promise, in some way, that Maksim would be with Mace for many months—maybe even years!—to come. Besides, it’d give Mace something to be excited about, hopefully, and take his mind off of the fierce storm outside. Rising to his feet, the guardian could no longer stand the wetness clinging to each hair upon him. He gave a quick shake of his pelt, drops of water flying off of him. The dampness was something he could handle. After he was done with that, he nudged Mace towards his mother before backing out of the den to leave both mother and child(ren) in peace. There was no doubt in Maksim’s mind that the boy would want to sleep. With a stretch, he was out into the rain again to find a suitable place to curl up and sleep through the vicious winds. Maybe he could find that big oak with the hollow space beneath its sprawling roots … [ Exit + finished!] MAKSIM BARANSKI “the only thing we’re allowed to do is believe we won’t regret the choices we make”

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue