Dead Empress Backwater Arms wide open

AW, the Quinlan-Reade pups are out! Special shoutout to @Mira @Dacian @Sharlee but whole pack encouraged!

Jacy was getting tired of the cramped den, and more and more lately he'd felt they were meant to go out into the light where mom went. There were voices out there, and good smells and the promise of more. Besides, his siblings were getting on his nerves, always wriggling about and squeaking. He longed to be free, to have space, to follow mom when she went wherever it was she went sometimes.

And he was big now. He could handle it.

So finally he decided he was going to do it. When mom went out, Jacy straightened up and boldly went after her. It was bright; so bright. He squinted and looked around, trying to identify the blurs. "Maaaaaam," he complained, unsteadily toddling forward and looking for her while his eyes adjusted.

(This post was last modified: Jun 29, 2023, 02:33 AM by Jacynth. Edit Reason: formatting )

The girl balanced carefully on paws too large, every fiber in her being ready to follow. But where was out there, what was it?

The other had gone, and so she must too, at least she felt. She didn't want to miss out, did not want the other to be in that new bright place without her either. They'd always been together, and while it was safe and familiar in here, out there was unknown. He shouldn't go alone, and she wouldn't be left behind either!

She didn't know what to think, but there was no time for that anyway. Blue eyes already tinged with a hint of briny green, blinked as she stumbled out after Jacy. A high whine escaped her, but her tiny tail was wagging. Mira would not be one to hold back just because she didn't know what to expect. "Mamama," she happily added her babbling exclamations to the chorus her brother had begun.

Apparently they were all going for a walk or whatever it was the bigger wolves did above ground. Dacian had been snoozing soundly, and woke flip-flopping when whoever he'd been using as a pillow moved. There were few thoughts that crossed his mind other than keep up, so upon finding his paws again and righting his grub-like body the toddling whelp did not hesitate to chase after his siblings.

Outside was bright, but it didn't deter him. He squinted his puppy blues and searched through the blurs of white and yellows, stumbling boldly forward as though he didn't have a fear in the world. All at once, the dark, fuzzy shape that was his brother was both seen and felt. A grin peeled back his thin lips and gleefully, Dacian sunk his teeth into Jacynth's hip.

Slowly the world came into focus and Jacy could see just how big the world was. He paused, eyes wide, until he heard his sister's voice joining him. He was just turning to look at her when sharp pain flared in his hip. He yelped and spun around, teeth bared and snapping at whatever it was hurting him - only to find it was his own brother.

First there was betrayal and then there was the righteous fury of a puppy who didn't think to ambush his brother first. He was just looking at the world! So, with an almighty snarl - at least to his ears - Jacy dropped his bottom to the ground while reaching to grab Dac's face. Or ear. Or neck. Whatever he could get his teeth into to pry the other pup off of him and get his revenge, it would do.

Good, they were all together in it now. Whatever this was, it had to be good if the large ones spent all their time here. She smelled the fresher earth, absent its earthy confinement, and stretched her spine out to raise her head. Mira's small tail wagged, and a smile spread on her jaws.

Her contentment lasted only for a brief moment before being shattered.

Ugh.

She didn't see why Dac had to bite Jac, or why Jac had to act like it was the first and worst thing that had ever happened to him. Today was meant to be something new, she felt, something cool, and here they were up to the same old same old as if they were still cooped up in the den. How disappointing.

Mira let out a squeal of her own, letting her opinion be heard before flopping her way onto the earth betwixt her brothers. Such squabbles were a lot harder to have when there was a third party wriggling into the middle, or at least a little bit more fun.

Jace's response was immediate and loud, immensely pleasing the toddling troublemaker. Dacian giggled devilishly, squealing with delight as his brother retaliated. That the other boy was actually furious and not just playing along was a distinction he didn't care to make. He kicked and bit back rowdily, a grin ever present on his tiny muzzle.

Then their sister joined the mix, and Dace was laughing again, heartily. His energy spiked and he started twisting and striking out randomly, a tiny whirlwind of paws and teeth. This was a blast!

Typically, this was about the time Mom would step in, prying them all apart. So far though, no one seemed to be around to intervene. That made it even better.

Jacy's retaliation backfired as Dace squealed in delight and began biting more. His victim whined plaintively and lashed out with his paws, even as Mira flopped into the middle. Jacy dodged back, trying to avoid his brother's flying paws, and considered his next move. He wasn't about to just let him get away with this!

Mira and Dace were both laughing, much to Jacy's annoyance. He'd been trying to see something new and find their mum and Dace had to go and bully him and be mean, and then Mira had to go and get herself involved with wrestling about on the ground. Jacy glared at the pair of them, but was quickly softening. Now that there weren't surprise teeth in his hide, Jacy was beginning to see the fun side and with a roar - to his ears, anyway - he launched himself back into the tangle of paws, aiming to tackle Dace to the ground.

"Speech" Thought

Didn't know if we were gonna PP Sharlee being here or not so I kept things vague

It was the squealing of pups which drew Rochus' attention, though he had already been close by to begin with as they were nearing the age at which they would begin to venture forth from the den. It would not do anyone good if one of them went missing, as there appeared to be quite a few new pups being born to the Backwater.

When he pushed past the undergrowth he came across the three children all jumbled together in a pile of flailing limbs and snapping puppy teeth. The three appeared to be in their own world, unaware of anything going on around them.

He stepped closer, knowing that at their current age their eyesight would still be developing. "Out to play?" Rochus said, dropping his head down to be closer to their level, though hopefully still out of reach of their needle-sharp teeth.

She tried to give a bit of a glare to Dacian, in lieu of anyone else to impose discipline, but the unpracticed attempt was nothing short of a failure. Her sea-like gaze was sunny today rather than stormy, another giggle escaping her as she wagged her tail and wriggled between them. Her gaze shifted to Jac, softening and hoping he could forgive her for laughing at his predicament and taking part in it. She just wanted to play and enjoy the day with them, this was so new and special! And she'd never bite him. Not hard, anyway.

It was the presence of a new party that stopped her laughter short, as she stared at the man. Her whole frame was still as he stepped closer, and she was never more happy to be with her brothers. Mira was sure she couldn't face this alone.

But then he was speaking, and something about his manner was enough to ease that fear.

"Plaaay," she snatched the word from the air as soon as she heard it, tasted the shape of it and liked the sound of it very much. But she wasn't one hundred percent sure about him yet. And my, he was close. She hadn't even realized she'd taken a step back, behind Jacy. Another glance swept between her siblings, seeking a consensus.

Dacian continued to find the game exciting, trading blows with little disregard. In time, he would learn to be more gentle with Mira, but he was unlikely to lighten up with his brother. Conflict seemed to have been born right alongside them, a natural rivalry running as deep as their DNA. When that faintly-familiar voice interrupted them, he sunk against Mira's side sourly, regarding the larger wolf with a level of mistrust. She mimicked him, then- hid behind Jac and Dacian felt the need to be the better protector.

He toddled forward with his dark chin held high, a confident, puppy-pitched growl emanating from his chest. He'd take care of this interloper!

"No!" he declared boldly, not in answer to the question asked but rather as a demand. No to this guy's presence!

(This post was last modified: Sep 25, 2023, 04:58 AM by Dacian.)