Dead Empress Backwater I know I'm not very adventurous

All welcome! @Archer and @Eros are now old enough to come out and bug the rest of the Backwater ;)
Late afternoon/early evening, Partly cloud, 12C/53F

The man couldn’t remember another time in his life where he had been so tired everyday, but also so happy. Every waking moment was filled with leader duties, marking borders, checking with his advisor, filling caches, being a father to his first litter who had left the den and his younger litter still in their home. Not only that but he was still trying to balance time with Vanadis and their blossoming relationship.

Waking up from his afternoon nap in the sun, Viorel knew that it was time. His and Clover’s children had left their hidey hole last week, and it was time for Archer and Eros to do the same. Blinking away the remaining drowsiness that lingered from his nap, the salt and pepper wolf got to his paws. Stretching leisurely, he shook out his pelt and the warmth of the sun before making his way towards the birthing den.

When he arrived Viorel lounged in the small clearing outside of the entrance. He made no sound of greeting in case they were asleep, but watched eagerly for any sign of movement. His tail swept through the dirt behind him, impatient to see their tiny faces and his girlfriend.

I kinda feel like @Eros should post first but I want to get Archer in before I go out of town, so...

Archer was still tiny, and still loved the quiet of the den and having the scents of his maa and brother all around him. He liked when his daa came in to visit them. They were comfortable, safe, well-loved.

The smell of Daa wafted through the cozy comfort of their birthplace, and Archer patiently waited for him to come in. When Daa didn't, Archer frowned and struggled to wiggle around. It was almost sleep-time now, but he wanted to see Daa.

Archer nudged Eros, hoping to get him up. He whined at him, then looked at the small circle of light that the Maa and Daa came through. "Pppppp," he said, the word "up" not coming out quite like he intended. His jaw felt clumsy. "Errrrs," he tried, but his face scrunched. That wasn't quite right either.

He turned his face back to the light. He could still smell Daa. He wanted to see Daa.

With a last encouraging nudge to Eros, Archer fumbled his way up to the den mouth and peered out, blinking in the low light. He spotted the bulk he knew was Daa and piped excitedly at him, clambering the rest of the way out and glancing back one more time for Eros before toddling over to his Daa. He watched his paws carefully and waved his stumpy little tail when he made it to his Daa without tripping.

"Daa!" he said, puffing out his chest proudly. At least he could say that one without messing up.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

Vanadis smiled, realizing rather quickly why his scent poured into the den, but his inky form never appeared at the entrance. She supposed it was time, and that staying here, curled up with the cubs wasn't going to give them any readily available reason to greet the world. Fortunately, however, Archer didn't seem to need any poking or prodding. He bravely bumped his brother and headed out.

Of course, panic flooded her veins as he breached the surface, stepping into the sunlight for the first time. Things would be different now. They would be allowed outside, but there were dangers out there, and the world would not make exceptions, regardless of how defenseless the cubs were. With a sigh, she too nudged her eldest son and made her way out of the cool, earthy den.

She stepped over Archer, settling opposite Viorel, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her back. "You know what this means, right?" Vana gave her boyfriend a sly, conspiratorial smile, "We'll never have another moment of peace." Soon they would be sneaking off to meet the other cubs, causing havoc, bothering their packmates. Though they'd taken a different surname, they were Archers still.

(This post was last modified: Jul 10, 2021, 10:43 PM by Vanadis.)

Eros' world was dark and calm until his brother began to move, jostling him awake. He protested, kicking out with his stubby, round legs and squeaking. Hey. He wasn't ready to get up and be active yet. It wasn't until mother got up too that the first born finally gave in and started to rise. Used to the warmth of others, it was very noticeable in the air when both his mom and his sibling were suddenly just gone from the den completely.

A heartfelt and loud squawk erupted from his stout muzzle as Eros spun around, trying to see where it was that they'd went. While his eyes grew steadily stronger each day, they were not yet fully prepared for what lay outside. The light bothered him, and he stomped his paws while crying out raucously. Come back!

(This post was last modified: Jun 09, 2021, 03:28 AM by Eros.)

Viorel did not have to wait more than a few short minutes before the first beginnings of stirring could be noted from within the den. First it was nothing visual, just the sound of movement and small puppy voices trying to express themselves - and mostly failing. The small black face poked itself out of the entrance and the father’s muzzle broke into a wide grin. He was nervous, absolutely, but the joy in seeing his children grow had become overwhelmingly his favourite thing in this world. Followed only by a close second of spending time with Vanadis, building the sweet life together that they had imagined in the orchard.

Watching closely as the dark child walked with deliberation before coming to a halt at his paws, Viorel offered him an enthusiastic bath with his tongue. Chuckling proudly he exclaimed, ”Archer! My brave boy, I think you’ve grown since I saw you this morning.” Nosing him to attempt and coral the child between his paws, the leader looked up in time to see Vanadis walking towards him. Pressing his shoulder against her, he nipped at her ear playfully and retorted, ”We will certainly be in trouble if they turn out to be anything like their mother.” He was only half teasing, there was a reason the two chaotic souls had bonded so quickly, and it wasn’t for being homebodies.

Finally, Eros also joined them. A mousy brown colour, he almost blended in with the earth of the den. Or, well, he might have blended in had he not been squawking and spinning in circles. Raising his eyebrows towards the woman beside him he could do nothing but shake his head in exasperation, it was so interesting how different their boys were taking to the world.

Archer piped in protest when his father surprised him with a bath, but at least he hadn't allowed himself to fall over. He grinned up at his parents; it was easy to see they were pleased, even if he wasn't entirely sure exactly what that meant. He just knew their expressions and the way Daa spoke to him made him happy.

Eros's call caught the younger boy's attention and Archer turned a round to see his brother scrambling about. "Errrrs!" he said, taking a few steps toward his brother to try and settle him down. This was such a big moment, coming into the Out for the first time. He shouldn't be frightened! Maa and Daa were here. They were safe, and it should be exciting!

He finally reached his brother, reached out one paw, and whapped him on the head.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

Vanadis pushed into him, flicking her ear at Viorel's nip and playfully baring her teeth, but with Archer between his paws she could do little to retaliate.

She gave a single nod, purposefully exaggerating the movement as the woman raised her brows. "Right. Because if they turn out just like their father then they'll happily remain within the borders and we'll have no reason to worry about them sneaking off in the night?" She teased, her pale eyes dancing

After watching Eros' display, the young mother couldn't help but look to her mate, catching the shake of his head and sighing in return. They were hardly out of the den and already this had been a journey. Things, of course, would get even more chaotic as Archer felt the need to smack his brother directly on the head. Yep, they had Valle and Archer blood alright.

They just left him. No one came back, no one sent their voice down to comfort him. Eros squalled harder, but when it didn't get him anywhere, he eventually felt left with only one option. Well... two. Through tear-blurred eyes he glanced over his shoulder, toward the safe and secure darkness of his home. He could just go back to sleep, but... without brother?

Sniffling miserably, as though sentenced to walk to his death, he approached the light.

And the light slapped him.

Eros shrieked and stumbled back, shrinking down against the ground as though that might protect him. He would've turned tail in a panic and retreated back into the belly of the den, but when he next opened his eyes, the light was partially obscured by Archer's face. Pale eyes blinked as his slow puppy brain connected the dots.

When he realized it had been his own brother who'd struck him, his little jaw dropped and his brows shot together with great offense. How could he?

Final round? This will be Viorel's last post so feel free to fade out with Eros

Viorel laughed heartily at his mate’s push. Had the children not been out and about he might have escalated the teasing to a play wrestling, but they had other things to take care of now. They couldn’t just goof around and act like teenagers whenever they wanted when they had two small cubs that relied on them for everything. Instead he just smiled proudly and said in a mock serious tone, ”Well of course! We both know what a homebody I am, very studious and respectable.” Then, he winked at Vanadis before turning his attention back to his sons.

He looked just in time to see Archer give Eros a good wack in the head. The father couldn’t help it, he let out a snort of a laugh. The action reminded him of his relationship with Andrey and Vayko when they were kids, all rough and tumble and slacking off. Another wolf may have jumped in and scolded the children for their antics, but Viorel was content to sit back and watch. They would work it out, or they wouldn’t, but he believed it was best to let them do what they would do and only step in if they were in serious danger. A few cuts and bruises and hurt egos wouldn’t kill them.

Archer had been aware of his parents' conversation, but his little brain didn't know the words and so he didn't pay much attention in the preference of focussing on his brother. As soon as he smacked Eros, Archer felt bad. Today was a big day; little Eros must be overwhelmed.

When Eros' face scrunched, Archer leaned forward a gently licked the spot he'd struck moments before. "Errs," he cooed as he groomed, trying to sooth his brother. "Daa," he said, pointing towards him for Eros to see. He nudged him with his nose and wagged his tail, trying to show his brother that this was good. "Errs."

He backed up both to give Eros more room to see and also as incentive to venture further into the Outside. Archer couldn't wait to explore everything with Eros at his side.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.