Laurel Thicket The littlest dragon

for Ma and Da, aka @Pip and @Kjell

Aegir liked the warm, quiet one best.

She was nice and kind and most important of all, whenever he was hungry she would give him lots and lots of yummy milk. They were always together-almost always-but despite that he was a little greedy. He always wanted to spend more time with her. In fact, he never wanted the quiet one to leave. Never ever! In his perfect world they'd always be together,like two peas in a pod but even more close and snug. She'd stay by his side and he'd be the happiest little boy in the whole wide world. That wasn't to say he wasn't happy now, far from it. Aegir was not only the cutest pup, but he was also the most content, if not a little chubby.

And yet, one day after a nap the little dragon awoke and realised that he felt colder than usual, that he wasn't surrounded by a soft, warm lump. He huffed and snuffed and shook his head in frustration but soon realised that there was no one in the den to soothe him or meet his demands. He was all alone. The quiet one was gone.

There was another big that Aegir knew and liked. Unlike the quiet one, he was dark and he made noise.  He wasn't quite as good as the milk giver, but maybe Aegir was being bit of a meany and playing favourites. Dark one was nice too, after all! He liked to snuggle, smelled like something safe and secure and best of all he made the small happy. Oh yes, he could see that as clear as day, even though he hadn't been able to see all that good for very long.

Aegir quickly decided that being in the dark all alone was no fun, so with a big huff the little dragon toddled out of the den into the sunlight. He squinted at the bright-whatever it was- and let out a pitiful little growl, as though to say stop that right now! I can't see! He must have been awfully intimidating as a few moments later he was able to see a little easier, and what a sight the outside world was! The darkness of the den was so boring in comparison, he never wanted to return when he had all of these new things to see and sniff!

@Kjell had cajoled her away from the den. Just for a bit. The little lad was sleeping, so what harm was there in leaving him for a while? He was old enough to maintain his own heat without the constant need for her at his side, but it still felt wrong to leave him. What if he woke and cried out? What if a predator stumbled upon the den? Pip couldn't bear to lose another.

Needless to say, their trip to the river had been short-lived and stressful. Pip found she couldn't focus on fishing in the least. The usually enjoyable task was met with resistance as she constantly felt the need to look behind her towards the den as if at any minute, she may spot some coyote making off with her child. With an apologetic lick and tail wag to her mate - he tried so hard to make it a pleasant experience - the little mute relented to her hover-mother instincts and made her way back to the den.

The young female froze when she pushed through the laurels and spotted her son glaring into the sun as if it had done him a personal disservice. His little growl had Pip shaking with silent amusement and she dipped her muzzle down as if to stifle any breath he may hear. Orange eyes flicked back to him, observing how he took in the world around him with awe. In that moment, she knew she could love no one any more than she loved him.

Pip waited for @Aegir to spot her before wagging her tail in warm greeting and stepping forward to lick along his forehead and back. Though she felt a moment's panic in realizing that he was no longer so easily kept in place in the safety of the den, she was happy to know that soon, they could all rejoin the pack in the main territory where Kjell wouldn't have to work quite so hard to ensure their safety. Content to lay in the warmth of the sun now, Pip gently lowered herself to the ground with her back legs resting to one side to allow the pup better access to her milk. It had been a strange sensation that first day to have him suckling, but now it felt as natural as grass growing and brought comfort to her as much as she imagined it did to the little one.

@Kjell

Such a stupid big bright light! Aegir quickly decided he didn't like it and shoved it in the proverbial bad pile. There weren't many things in said pile, after all his life so far had been pretty damn swell, but it wasn't that small either. For one, he didn't like being sat on. He knew the bigs didn't do it on purpose, seeing as they royally fussed over him when he squeaked in discomfort, but still he did not like it. At all. Being squished was no fun. Nor did he like being cleaned by the bigs. Lick lick lick, why did it take so long? Why wouldn't the quiet one just finish already? Bleeeeh.

That being said, there were a lot of things he liked too! And that pile was big, massive, a whole lot taller than the Little Dragon!

Looking away from the bright ball, Aegir blinked, still a little dazed by the light, when he realised that he was no longer alone. A big was here and it was the best big in the world! Unable to contain his delight, Aegir bounded-or rather toddled- over and met his Mother in the middle of the clearing. He wanted to give her kisses too, lots of them, but couldn't quite reach. No matter how much he hopped and stretched out his neck. In the end he just made do with the kiss he gave her, which was more than enough to soothe his earlier fears. She was here now, where she was meant to be and she'd never leave again, right?

Once she settled, Aegir squirmed up beside her with a determined huff. Moving around was hard work for the chubster, as his legs were still so small, but he was determined and soon enough settled in for a well earned meal. And boy, for a little pup he had quite the appetite. He drank and drank til he couldn't take any more and eventually flopped against his Mother with a satisfied little sigh.

He was content to nap, to doze, whatever as long as the big was by his side, when he felt her shift a little. His little ears stood on point-or at least one of them did, the floppy one just...flopped- as he struggled to figure out what that sound was. Plod plod plod, coming closer. But what? With a grumble, he crawled away from his big and stood on guard, ready to face whatever this new thing was. Whatever it was it better now want his big, she was all his!

It had taken a great deal of effort to drag Signy away from her den – ultimately, it should not have surprised him. What unfolded in the birthing den before he arrived was still a mystery to him, but the woman had been fiercely protective of their son in his first few weeks of life, even if, of yet, there was nothing quite to defend the young dragon from. They’d only barely made it there when it was finally too much for the omega, and she gave him a small lick before returning to her den in the laurel thicket.

Kjell lingered a little longer; briefly, the man debated fishing, but his mate’s anxiousness was starting to gnaw at the back of his mind, as well. This was the real deal, wasn’t it? A true-blue relationship. No wolves, up until this point, and an even remotely similar power over Kjell – and as the dragon trotted lazily back to the little den Signy had carved out, he found he really didn’t mind.

He woofed softly to the woman before something odd struck his eye – Aegir was standing at the mouth of the den, his puppy blue eyes set determinedly as if he was waiting for something, or guarding from someone. An amused smile sprawled across his features as he leaned down, pressing a long lick between the child’s ears. “What’re you think yer up to, huh?” he asked the boy, head tipped to one side. “Ready for th’ world?”

Already, Pip saw the father in the son. Besides the dark coat, the pup had a fearlessness in him that Pip had never known herself. A puff of air passed her lips as she chuckled in amusement at the way in which he gorged himself before flopping with a fat belly against her side. That, at least, was normal for any pup. She watched the boy doze off even as her ears tilted back to catch Kjell's approach. She need not turn to know who it was; she could recognize the fall of his paws anywhere.

The mute's grin widened as the boy shook sleep away and came to attention, one bat ear swiveling high while the other remained flopped over. She shook with silent laughter when @Aegir moved to face off his own father, likely not realizing who it was that approached. She chuffed softly to him, a gentle reminder that no matter who it was, he should not wander far from her side.

At her mate's greeting, her tail thumped happily against the ground and she chirped back, orange eyes beaming. Did he see? Look at their son! Wasn't he amazing? He'd come out to explore all on his own like a brave lad! Like his father. An adventurous one. More than content, Pip watched the pair interact with a heart swollen with love and marveled again at how lucky she was to have a wolf such as him at her side. A smaller voice in her head told her she didn't deserve him, but the more selfish part replied that she did not care. He was hers and she was his. And the little one was theirs. That was all that mattered.

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

For what it was worth, Aegir's growl was as mighty as that of a mouse. But he meant it,  no one was allowed to get in between him and his big! There wasn't a lot he could do, his teeth were still only piercing needles and he couldn't bite down too hard without his jaw getting tired, but even so he would fight and nip and bark as much as he had to until the stranger left his Ma alone! Or at least that was what he planned on doing until he realised just who was there. His greyish-blue eyes widened in recognition and instead of growling he 'boofed' in greeting. It was the dark big.

He liked the dark big, otherwise known as his Da.

And unlike his Ma, he made all sorts of funny sounds. His were deep and rumbly, almost like he was asleep and snoring.Except that couldn't be it, because Aegir was pretty sure that the big wasn't asleep. After all, both standing and sleeping at the same time had to be impossible! Whenever little Aegir was tired he couldn't do anything but curl up at his Ma's side. Sometimes, he tried to resist and squeaked in protest as he rolled around the den floor. But in the end it was pointless, Ma was too warm, his tummy was full and his eyelids felt too heavy. Sleep always won in the end.

Da's sounds had a strange rhythm to them, one that he didn't understand, but even so the little pup could feel the warmth and affection coming from his words. Now it was true that his Ma's usual chirps and chuffs were amongst Aegir's favourite sounds to hear, soothing in a way that just made him feel safe and at ease, but he couldn't help but think his Da was a little more interesting to listen to. So much so that the Little Dragon wanted to make sounds just like he did!

But how? Da made it look so easy, he just moved his mouth and out they came. But there had to be more to it than that, because if it was so simple than why didn't Ma make those noises too?

It was a mystery, one Aegir intended to solve.

Toddling over to the dark big, the Little Dragon stared up at him in awe. He truly was a big, as massive as anything he had seen, like a big furry mountain. He looked to his Ma, to make sure that she was still there, then back to his Da, then back and forth back and forth till he got a little dizzy. He just didn't get it!

How frustrating!

So of course, he did what seemed only natural. He barked and yipped and stood up-or rather wobbled- on his back legs as he pushed his front paws against his Da.Show me! He wanted to make those sounds too! He couldn't keep it a secret forever, Aegir would find out soon enough!

Pip seemed perfectly content just as she was, but the same could not be said for his son. The oldest of the trio could not help his small smile as his son toddled over – not silently, of course. Never did Kjell imagine their children would be silent, though he supposed it was a possibility, given that his partner could not (or did not) speak. All the same, Aegir had plenty to share with both his parents as he wobbled over to his father.

Naturally, Kjell had no idea what it meant…if it meant anything at all. Instead, just smiled, leaning down to press a few licks to his son’s crown as he considered the tiny ruckus.

“Yer gonna be a riot, aren’t ya?” he hummed. His tail wagged behind him slowly, clearly approving of the thought. After a moment, he looked from their boy back to Pip, bright eyes dancing as he studied his mate. “He always like this?” he asked the woman, bobbing his head in reference to the incessant chatter. Did it matter? No. But he did wonder when the boy would say his first word – or what it would be. “Y’behave fer yer ma, don’tcha, lad?”

She just loves her boys.

It came as no surprise to Pip that @Kjell was a wonderful father. She had only ever known his gentleness towards her or ferocity in protecting her. Any downfalls in his character were unknown to the mute and he continued to prove again and again that she was right in loving him. Others may have doubted, may have misjudged him for being a loner, for bedding her - as she wished it - or for simply being himself, but Pip knew better. He had a kind heart and a gentle soul.

She smiled serenely as their son stood up on his hind paws to play with her mate's mouth as if begging for explanation for how sounds came to be there. Pip hoped he would not have a hard life because of her. Prayed that her disability would not disadvantage him in any way. Let others not bully him for her inability. Let her packmates treat him kindly.

She watched father and son with every ounce of adoration and found herself realizing how truly lacking her own father had been in the parenting department. It was good that @Aegir had such a strong role model and not just an omega to look up to in life. He deserved to have a backbone. To defend himself and speak his mind as assuredly as the pack's princess did.

Her gaze was distant, caught in her own musings when Kjell's question recaptured her full attention. Pip grinned and nodded. Yes, their sea dragon was always interested in everything around him. He was curious and so preciously adamant and had plenty of words - as garbled as they were - where she did not. And she nodded again for Aegir as his father asked him if he behaved. Of course. He was an angel. Her little angel who had his father's propensity for protecting, obviously.

Aegir was indeed a riot.

But it was only because being around the Bigs was just so much fun! It wasn't his fault they were exciting and smelled of all sorts of things when they returned to the den. And he was just always so happy to see them, to give them puppy kisses and tug at their fur when they weren't paying him enough attention. Such as now. Come on come on, he was down here!

Aegir growled-though it was more of a groan- and slapped the dark Big with a paw and then again for good measure. What was more interesting than he was? If the dark one was going to make sounds then at least he could look at him when doing it. He turned a little, still on his hind legs, to see what his favourite Big was doing but lost his balance in the process and toppled over with a surprised yelp.

He hit the floor with an 'oofff' but got to his feet in no time and dipped down into a bow, his tail swishing wildly behind him. He was okay! Not hurt, no pain!

Aegir,however, was no angel. He was a cheeky little thing, so if they weren't going to give him the attention he wanted then he was going to take it. Forcibly if he had to.With a big, goofy grin he straightened up his posture and tipped his head up, proud and self assured. Oh yes, this would do the trick. There was no way they could ignore him if he did this.

"Cha cha!"He yelled, in a poor reaction of his father's pronunciation of 'don’tcha'.

Wasn't he so smart? The most clever? He certainly thought he was and wanted his parents to think so as well. He just wanted to make his Bigs smile, that was all.

(This post was last modified: Jun 15, 2017, 04:37 PM by Aegir.)