Pookastone Scowle shaking the wreckage from my hair

All welcome! but if you aren't @Tooth, @Claw or @Deluge you won't be treated kindly by Wally. ;P

Walrus still had not dug a proper den, stowing the children in crevices amongst the limestone as needed. There was a measure of gambling to it, but so far she and her offspring had proven lucky. Any predators that had attempted to prey on the newborns had been effectively chased away or killed by their aggressive mother, and she managed to find enough groundwater in the nearby caverns to keep producing milk for them both. All things considered, the small family was doing rather well.

She returned with a present for them as dusk settled over the Lore, a mouse that was battered half to death. It still wished to flee, but was wounded enough that even her weeks-old children should be able to keep up with it. It would be a good toy, as it taught them that even their food could bite back.

Dropping it to the ground and then swiftly pinning it beneath a heavy paw, she barked to call out to Tooth and Claw, summoning the toddlers. They would promptly answer if they did not want to be reprimanded; Walrus was not sensitive to the limitations of her newborns and their still-developing senses.

(This post was last modified: Jun 22, 2022, 08:19 PM by Walrus.)

Tries to remember how to pup :'D

In the distance, the young boy could hear the echoing voice of his mother demanding their immediate attention despite the luxury that lay oh-so temptingly still behind closed lids. They were always moving and Claw wanted to enjoy this moment of peace a little longer, but internally a part of him had been conditioned already. Bleary eyes opened quickly and adjusted to the dimness of their latest makeshift home, the pudgy pup's body rolling over onto its stomach to scramble toward the exit with little concern for his sibling that lay sprawled in his way.

After climbing over the obstacle that was his sibling, finally, the dark-hued boy emerged into the fading light of the sun to find the looming tower of his mother and something really wriggly pinned beneath her paw. Ever curious, Claw took a few puppy steps forward to prod a paw at the mangled thing. What was that?!

Tooth was not the first to her feet, instead she was sprawled, and would only move after her brother had left their makeshift home. Even then, she took her sweet time; never terribly quick to heed their mother's demands for attention. She shook her fur out, as she stumbled after Claw, squinting as she finally left their makeshift home.

Her attention was quickly enticed, though, because something was wiggling underneath her mother's paw. She stepped up beside of her brother, and reached out to give the mangled, wriggling thing a quick poke, before drawing her paw back. Wide-eyed, curious, she lowered herself onto her belly, trying to get a better look.

(This post was last modified: Jun 11, 2022, 11:24 PM by Tooth.)

As expected, Claw was the first to heed her. She smiled as the boy popped into view and approached, his interest in her treat clear to see in his expressions. So far, he had proven to be physically stronger and more obedient, making him her favored child. Tooth was slower, and tested Walrus' patience more often. This was proven again as the seconds passed and she did not appear. When she did join them, their mother's smile had flatlined.

Still, both of them wanted to interact with the live toy, and Walrus was happy to oblige. She reclined down onto her haunches, and then lifted her paw, releasing the wounded animal altogether. It twitched and flopped, spasming briefly before attempting to make an escape. They would get no more assistance from Mom in keeping it close; if they let their prey get away, they didn't much deserve the fun of playing with it, did they?

"Get it."

Finally, it would seem that his sibling had decided to join in on the fun as her presence slunk in beside that of Claw to investigate this newest toy mother had brought home for them. Much like himself, Tooth gave the damaged critter a prod from tiny paws before bewilderment settled upon her face at the reaction received. Whatever this thing was it definitely did not like to be poked and soon the young boy would learn it didn't like being around them period.

With a single movement from their mother, the pressure that pinned the mangled critter in place vanished and their first live piece of prey caught on quick. It only offered a few moments of pain-infused twitching before darting for the nearest bit of safety from its predators. Puppy blue eyes widened while a strange sense urged the boy onward to give chase. Claw wasn't ready to give up their new toy just yet! Clunky paws followed suit and a tiny pink tongue lolled out from parted jaws as Claw gave chase, barking and snapping at the fleeing mouse whenever he grew close.

They continued to follow the same suits. Their prey attempted its escape, and Claw reacted as quickly as a child his age could manage. It was almost cute, those overgrown paws and the way they hampered the children. Tooth continued to be a bit more cautious and reserved, observant rather than a wolf of action. There could be good in that, but it seemed that so far it would merely cause her to miss out.

Walrus settled onto her stomach and stretched out her legs before settling her muzzle down upon her forelimbs. Her fiery eyes closed as she opted to take a moment to rest while the children played.