Turtleback Lake say goodbye to all the glowing eyes

It was a big goal for a small pup but Oksana understood that she was still much too young and too small to he doing such things as swimming across lakes. She doubted that at this time she would make it even halfway across the lake. While the task would certainly take her mind off her mother she didn't want Inna to return and hear her pup had drowned in the lake after having disobeyed her. Oksana usually listened to her mum and when she had brought up the fact it was good exercise it sent her mind to thinking. The task didn't seem to out there to her anymore. She thought as long as she trained up and did everything she could one day she would be ready for that swim.

The dark pup watched as the young Stark left the water and gave her pelt s shake. Having explained her plan she was a little disappointed about Lavenders response but she shrugged it off as she looked a that lighter colored pup. “Is there something like that too would like to do one day?” She asked curiously wondering if she was the only pup with dreams like the one she had.

Maybe she was and maybe she wasn't but Oksana didn't think it was a bad goal to have. One day she would swim the lake and she would also be strong and could do other things for her pack. Her mum always said how important it was for her to work for the pack.

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Lavender was not opposed to training with the ebony Baranski, but she was like her father—she liked spending time on her own. Occasionally she would seek out the company of her sister, even if she and her spastic poems were annoying. But training—it was different. The pale Stark was self-conscious; she did not want to embarrass herself in front of Oksana, or anyone else. Which was why she had not reacted so positively to the ebony cub’s request.

She glanced at her paws as the girl spoke once more, another question rolling off her tongue and filling the space between them. Did she have goals—something she wanted to accomplish as she grew older? She frowned. “Uh,” she started, lamely, with a lazy shrug, “haven’t really thought about it.” She just wanted to be less afraid of everything and less anxious, but she didn’t want to share that with her age-mate. Lavender had not even mentioned anything to her sister or her parents. It was something she would have to deal with on her own. 

As she'd gotten bigger and started traveling further away from Hearthwood, doing more things she'd had thoughts of traveling. Go exploring and learn even more, Oksana wanted to know about the world and not just what was in the Kingswood and the Lowlands. The dark pup didn't know if she would he able to leave her mother though. Especially when she was so sad all the time, she really hoped the trip Inna had gone on would do her mother good and she would have found some sort of peace. Oksana still didn't understand why Inna had to leave for her to get better but as always she trusted her mum.

When Lavender didn't seem to enthusiastic about the training it set Oksana to wondering if there was something that might interest the pale pup more. Maybe she like her father wanted to be a healer or maybe she had a big goal like the dark pup. Oksana thought it best to ask, “That's okay maybe you just haven't found the thing that strikes you. When I decided I wanted to swim to the islands it wasn't something that I really thought about it just kind of happened. You just might not have had that moment,” she said trying to encourage the young Stark. “I wouldn't worry it will come to you one day,” she added with a smile.

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Her hindquarters flopped to the ground as Oksana spoke up once more, her thoughtful voice filling the air between them. Lavender fixated her gaze on the three islands in the distance, her brow furrowing slightly. Was this how her father looked when he sought out the soothing shores of the lake? All stoic and serious—his face contorted as he dove deep into his thoughts, pulling and tugging at his worries. The corner of her mouth twitched in amusement as she returned her attention to the ebony Baranski, her maw canted toward her age-mate. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Lavender wasn’t really good at anything yet, nor was she really interested in anything. Aside from bullying her sister and trying to make her more normal. The tundra still frightened her, as it seemed dangerous without the safety of the trees overhead, but she was trying to be braver and explore more. So her sister wouldn’t poke fun because that was her job, not Lilliana’s. I wouldn’t worry… Her crooked frown deepened.

I wasn’t worried until now!!!!!!

“Swimming to the islands is a pretty good goal, though,” she added with an encouraging smile as she attempted to turn her moping around. “Next spring. When it’s warmer.”

Oksana's decision to swim to the islands was something that she had just decided to do. It wasn't something that she had been thinking about for a long time. Nor did it have anything to do with liking swimming. Before she had decided she hadn't really had the thought of having a goal or working towards something in her mind. She wanted to help her mother but Inna was gone now so she couldn't really do that. She understood that Lavender night not have found her thing. She was sure that one day the Stark girl would find her thing, something she wanted to do. The Baranski shrugged, “There are lots of things you can do, maybe you just need to try some things out. Talk to uncle Lach maybe he can help too.” The pale leader might have some ideas about what Lavender could do or maybe he could help her with trying something that interested his daughter.

Swimming to the island was a great goal but it was a one time thing. Her mother always talked about duty and helping the pack. Her goal didn't have anything to do with either of those things. She would need something later. “Yeah it is and I think it will prepare me for when I really have to start helping the pack.” A smile graced the Baranski's face, “That will be the perfect time, by then we can be ready.” She really would like to have Lavender along if she wanted to.

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She nodded absently, her chartreuse gaze trailing to the still surface of the lake. There were plenty of things she could try out as she grew older. Lavender was still busy getting acquainted with the land and not getting lost every time she crossed over the pack borders. Plants was her father’s specialty, but the pale Stark did not know if was something she wanted to pursue as well. It was interesting, learning about the different things they could do and how they could help wolves feel better, but it was a lot to remember. Especially being so young. She did not doubt that her father would help her pursue something in the future. She still had to figure out what she liked on her own.

“Yes, I think so,” she hummed as she returned her attention to the Baranski, a small smile tugging at her lips. “We can see who’s faster,” she added, her smile turning cheeky as her tail wagged slowly behind her. 

When her mother returned Oksana knew she would have to talk to her about it her things she could do. There were so many things that the pup had no idea what she wanted to do past swimming across the lake to the islands. Surely her mother would he able to help her or Lachesis too. He was the leader after all so surely anything Inna couldn't help her with her could.

It had crossed her mind plenty of times that she could be a healer like her father or do what her either did all day. Oksana wasn't really sure if her mother had a specific role but if she did.

Lavender seemed to agree so that was good but what really brought the smile to the dark pups face was the suggestion of a race. “That will be fun, we can make a race of it so we have to train hard. Would you like to have a race?” She asked before she got ahead of herself which she knew she sometimes did.

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A race. Lavender sort of liked the sound of that. But that was the whole point of seeing who was faster, wasn’t it? To race? Maybe she could see if the other river cubs would want to participate… make a whole day out of it. They could explore all three of the islands together. Her tail wagged at the idea, her chartreuse gaze fixated on her ebony friend. Yes! I think that’s a great idea, he chirped in response, her body wriggling with excitement. Maybe ask the others, too? Bet if we trained hard we could beat all of them. Especially Lilliana. She smirked at the thought, her gaze not wavering from the little crow as she waited for her response. 

The idea of a race was something she hadn't thought of before. Of course before she ended up talking to Lavender about it and offering for her to join her Oksana had thought she would be doing it alone. She would be glad for the company and the friendly competition between the pups. The dark pup smiled when Lavender stated a race was a great idea. What surprised her a little was the suggestion she made.

“We could invite them, they would probably think it a fun idea too,” she agreed her tail wagging steadily behind her. Then another thought occurred to her, “We need to have some kind of prize or something for the winner.” That was something that might entice the other puppies to join them. “And since we are going to train hard to beat them,” she said cheekily, “It should be something we like.” It made sense after all, why would they want to win something if they didn't like it?

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The girl nodded excitedly, her features relaxing as she became more comfortable with the idea of racing and, potentially, training together. She was still a little uncertain with the idea, for she liked being on her own or in the company of her parents, but Lavender knew she had to get out of her bubble eventually. Otherwise her sister would continue to pester her and it was supposed to be the other way around. Yeah! She chirped in agreement, her tail wagging gently behind her. I dono what the prize could be, but we got lots of time to figure that out, he mused in response to the little crow, her chin tilted up slightly.

A wicked grin tugged at her lips at the girl’s comment, earning another nod from the pale Stark. She liked that idea very much. Of course she wanted to win, but she wouldn’t be opposed to the Baranski winning either. Which meant training together was a must, as she couldn’t fathom the idea of the other pups winning. Oh! She started, her tail wagging behind her so frantically she was worried it was going to fall off: The winner could name the island?!