Willow Ridge It's a wide, wide world

Daegal liked being able to go outside. He hadn't minded the dark of the birthing den as much as his brother and sister, but he did enjoy being able to wander the area near their shelter. He didn't go far, but it was something. There was so much to see; sometimes he felt a little overwhelmed by the enormity of world.

Today's goal was investigating one of the willows. The earth was dusty beneath his paws and the leaves clinging to the vines that reached the ground were yellow and brittle. He pawed at it and several leaves broke off, drifting to the ground. He sniffed at them.

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They were allowed to roam outside of the den now, presumably from here on out. Izzy was quick to take up on this new privilege today, having realized Dae had left the den already. Chasing after the silvery boy, the middle child let out a bark, wagging his tail as he approached his brother. He was curious what Deagal might have discovered.

Moving closer, he saw a small pile of dry leaves sitting there. Sniffing at them, he gave a sneeze at the dusty earth, scattering the leaves into the air momentarily. A squeal broke from his tiny maw, and as they settled back to the ground, he hurriedly began trying to gather them again, picking a leaf up in his mouth. Another dried leaf drifted down from the willows above presently, causing Iseldir's gaze to drift up to the gently swaying boughs.

Daegal stared at the pile of leaves for a moment before he was distracted by a bark behind him. He turned pale eyes to his brother, who padded up with a wagging tail. Daegal returned the friendly gesture and gently touched his nose to Izzy's cheek before returning his consideration to the leaves. Izzy also sniffed them, and then sneezed. Dae frowned as they scattered, but before he could move to collect them his brother was scrambling to do so.

Another leave drifted down and like his darker sibling, Dae looked up. His eyes widened. The trees were so tall. How many leaves were on each one? Why were they so easy to knock off? He pawed at the tendril again and more leaves broke off. A grin split his face. How many could he get off each one? He dropped into a play bow and barked at the tree before rising onto his back paws and slapping at a clump of the vines as he dropped back down. He wriggled with glee as the boys were showered with leaves.

Daeg was batting at the drooping fronds of the trees, more leaves raining down upon them as a result. Iz let out a surprised bird-like chirp, hurrying to gather another leaf and another. His brother's bark brought his ears up, as he shook even more leaves down upon them. There were just too many to gather!

Izzy tried his best anyway, raking at the earth with his paws to collect the now abundant leaves into a loose pile. He busied himself about his task, with Daegal making the leaves rain down and Iseldir to gather them up they made quite the team. After a short time there was a nice, big pile againg, and Izzy took his turn to leap into it. A confetti of leaves erupted into the air about him as he giggled wildly, inviting Daegal to join him in the fluffy jumble of willow leaf and wriggling pup.

Daegal's fascination with the leaves was interrupted by his brother's squeal and the pale boy turned to look. Izzy was frantically collecting the leaves. Dae watched curiously until Izzy flopped into the pile and a huge grin split the boy's face. He raced to join him, quickly and clumsily scooping up the fallen plants and not minding that he may or may not have gotten a few piled on top of Izzy too before pouncing into the stack.

Leaves scattered and his peals of laughter joined Izzy's. He rolled away. "'gen!" he barked bounding after the escaped leaves to drag them back to their pile. This was fun!

Iseldir was half-covered in leaves, giddy with laughter as his brother piled on even more. Then his breath was knocked from him as Daegal tackled the leaf-pile. Rolling away to the other side, sides burning as his laughter returned, as he clambered up from the dusty leaf-strewn ground again to help rebuild their pile. His tail was wagging furiously. Izzy liked inventing games, but it wasn't always easy to share them with his siblings or well, anyone. He was filled with excitement at the game they'd come up with, and just as happy to be doing it together with Dae. The two brothers didn't need many words to play together like this.

On his feet once more, Iz leapt up at the trailing boughs. His small jaws caught on and clung for just a moment before he lost his grip, landing amid a fresh shower of leaves. The branch above had bent gently with his small weight, and swayed as it was freed, raining leaves as it sprung back. It was kinda bouncy, softening his clumsy landing as much as the leaves did. He barked out for Dee to give it a try.

Dae was thoroughly enjoying himself - this was the most fun he'd had ever! Izzy had rolled away upon impact, but he was soon back, helping stack leaves before suddenly jumping up. Daegal watched his brother bite one of the draping branches before falling back down, bringing with him even more leaves. Tail wagging, Dae returned the bark and spun excitedly in a circle. He had to find the perfect branch to catch!

He spotted one nearby that still had far too many leaves on it, so the round boy charged over and leapt into the air as high as his little legs could push him and closed his teeth around the branch. The wood crunched in a most satisfying way, and then his weight was tugging him down and he slipped. He rolled onto his side as he landed, the hard ground driving the air from his lungs - but not for long. New peals of laughter filled the air as a torrent of leaves rained around him. He scrambled to his feet to start piling them with the rest.

This time the dark pup had an eye on his brother, and managed to roll out of the way rather than being landed upon. He giggled as the leaves clung to his fur, clambering to his feet to shake them free as Dae leapt for the branch. Jumping and barking in excitement, Iseldir cheered Daegal on as the silver boy streaked past him and swung himself into the pile.

Izzy was already busy preparing the leaf pile for another go as Daegal caught his breath. With a smirk, he stopped next to his laughing brother and placed a mouthful of leaves right on top of his head before continuing about his task with an air of casualness that dared the other boy to respond. Dipping into a playful bow next to the pile, he gave a grin and another bark at Dae, his tail wagging over his back in excitement. This was so much more fun than playing alone!

Daegal had wandered up here to get a look at new things, and he couldn't complain about the turn of events. His original goals of exploration were all but forgotten as he played with his brother in the leaves drifting from the dying tree. As he regained his breath from his land, a heavy shower fell over him and he looked over in time to see Izzy casually moving on. With a large, devious grin, Daegal shook the leaves from his fur and pounced on the bowing boy, a mock growl in his throat as he wrapped his paws around his shoulders.

Dae twisted his body, trying to toss Izzy into the half-formed leaf pile so he could bury him again.

His show of nonchalance was rewarded with the sound of a growl coming at him, and Izzy braced himself as Dae collided with his shoulders, hugging him into a throw. Pushing off with his feet, the earthy child tried to roll with the motion, hoping they'd both end up in the leaf pile again. He didn't much mind if he came out on top or not. Simply to tumble about and test his strength in each moment felt good, felt right to the growing boy.

The breath left him as he was buried beneath brother and leaves, writhing in the dust, only to return in a fit of giggles. His heart was racing, and he pushed his legs straight, to rise from the ground again, returning his brother's growl with a ringing bark.

The summer air was warm, but there was something bracing too as the two boys came close to sparring for perhaps the first time in their game. Fate may someday write that their games grow less lighthearted, but for today the light was golden and the air filled with laughter. Izzy sought to pounce again, lowering himself back into a play-bow as he wound up his muscles to leap.