Dead Empress Backwater bitter

She had awoken at some ungodly hour. Which was unusual for a child who was all too fond of sleeping in as late as she'd be allowed. Except something outside had caused her to fuss awake. Only to find out, as she toddled her way to the mouth of the den, that whatever it was seemed to be...gone. Nothing was here. Not even one of the other Big Colors.

So she stumbled her way into the morning sun, the land dry underfoot but it was all she had ever known. There was a stone nearby, one big enough for such a babe as herself.

It would be there that she climbed on top of the smooth stone, flopping unto her side unceremoniously. Then sighed. Dramatically.

Dead Empress Backwater
— through trials to triumph.

Archer Valle

Archer didn't even know what a sleep schedule was anymore. Between helping his ma care for the newborns and fetching water he found himself perpetually exhausted. He considered visiting the Cove again, but he was sure they wouldn't appreciate everyone constantly visiting and taking their precious supply. Even so, he wouldn't mind seeing his friends again.

It was early; perhaps he could make a quick trip to Bramble Falls today - after he got something to eat. He knew there was still food in the caches so at least he wouldn't have to hunt. As he made his way toward the nearest stash he heard a dramatic sigh and looked over to see his sister flopped across a stone. His nose twitched in amusement. "Morning Princess," he said, altering course to trot over to her. "Why're you up so early?"

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

There was very little in the world that Isla loved more than sleep and food. That would be her power nicknames. Particularly Princess. As such, Archer would be greeted with a thumping tail for his regal addressing of her. However her own communication skills still...left plenty to be desired.

She also preferred some of the less kind words already. Her current favorite to try and babble was a word occasionally heard at bath time.

"Stuuuuu-stu...STUNKY!"

This she declared loud and proud right at Archer. Rolling onto her back, and off of the stone, with laughter. It was most certainly not the right answer to his question by any means, but she felt it would be the most appropriate answer!

Dead Empress Backwater
— through trials to triumph.

Sephrina was used to being snuggled between her siblings and the big one she had come to know as Ma. It was warm and cozy when everyone was all together, but this morning she had woken up chilly on one half of her body. Nix still lay against her, but big Ma was gone, and so was Isla. Tiny brow furrowed as she glanced around, trying to spot her sister or mother in the small den they called their home. They were nowhere to be seen, but that didn’t mean they weren’t close.

At about a month old it was just beginning to become apparent that her eyes were developing slower than her siblings. While they all began to sharpen, hers still had some blurry quality about it that the wolves of the Backwater could not quite place yet. It almost seemed as if they were just a little bit slow. That was all to say, Sephrina was already beginning to learn to rely more strongly on her other senses.

The peels of giggles alerted the Valle pup as to where at least one of the missing family members were. Toddling her way up and out of the mouth of the den, a mischievous grin spread across her muzzle. While her sister rolled about with laughter, Sephrina launched herself aiming to land directly on her belly.

Archer Valle

Archer knew the pups were still young and learning language, but he'd expected some sort of attempt at an answer from his little sister. Instead she shouted at him and rolled away laughing. He watcher her drop off the rock in amusement. "I'm glad you learn something at bath time," he hummed, sitting back and letter her enjoy herself.

That was, until his second sister came charging out of nowhere, pouncing at her prone littermate. Archer remembered playing this very game with Eros, so he merely chortled at the attack. It wasn't as though Sephrina was going to hurt Isla, and if she did inadvertently do so he was right here to help. It would teach Isla to watch her surroundings, much like Eros's antics had taught him the same.

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

And I see everyone getting all the things I want

There would be no real grand warning.

One moment she had been bathed in the joy of bullying an older sibling. The next she was being bullied by an agemate. Karma, punishment from beyond. Whatever one would call it, Isla got it. The full brunt of it.

Her sister swung in from the top rope right down onto her gut. It electrocuted something to live within Isla. An eel, electric serpentine, befitting the water theme of her family lineage. The ocean's boon of venomous creatures lived on in her.

Her jaws flung open in a sudden manner. No real harm, besides the grand show of discomfort with the surprise situation.

The attack that Sephrina had impulsively committed went exactly as she had hoped. Tiny black paws connected with her sister’s belly to her great delight, and after seeing Isla’s jaws fly open towards her she rolled off. Laughing hard enough to bring a few tears to her eyes, the salt and pepper pup tucked herself close to her older brother’s side. Surely if there was going to be any kind of retaliation he would protect her.

Squinting pale cloudy eyes upwards, Sephrina beamed at Archer. He looked a lot like Da, and also was the same colour as herself and her agemates, but she could tell who it was based off of his scent. Eager to prove that she was smarter than Isla who had just called the boy stunky she declared, ”Aowcher.” That was pretty close to being right! Right? Small tail wagged behind her as Sephrina waited to be praised.

Archer Valle

As he watched the antics of his younger sisters, Archer wondered if this is what his parents had felt watching him swat his brother's head the day they'd first emerged from the den. He stood in amusement as Isla flailed about, jaws opening wide in shock at the sudden attack. Sephrina quickly disengaged, however, and tucked herself into the relative safety of Archer's side. He looked down at her, meeting her gaze as she blurted out his name - or a very close approximation of it.

"That's right; good job," he praised, leaning down to gently touch noses with her. "And good attack," he whispered conspiratorially before glancing up at the girl's littermate. "I wonder if Isla's going to let it pass," he added louder for both sisters' benefit.

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