Aurora Heights my current state is heavy

@Capra

Things remained quiet on the mountain after the birth of his sons. The pack was small but worked well together, and did everything possible to ensure that the Borealis Boys were taken care of (and properly doted on). Revon had surprised the father the most, as she had immediately stepped into the role of puppysitter. He knew it wasn’t her first choice, but it was the easiest due to her age. She was able to slip away occasionally to scout the nearby territories and track down food for the caches, but she always stepped in when her parents (more specifically Kyna) needed a break from the troublesome trio.

Today, however, Greer had let the scarlet Archer off the hook. He had lingered near the family den, his silver pools fixated on the dark mouth of the den as he waited for his children to stir. He allowed Revon to disappear for awhile; stretch her legs and regain some freedom. Kyna, too, deserved a breather. The cubs were getting older and able to be left alone, but Greer still fretted over them. Especially with the dangerous mountain terrain. It wasn’t the easiest ground to maneuver over.

His long, slender body lounged outside the den, his ears twitching as he listened to the rhythmic breathing coming from within. Which cub would wake up first…? 

The copper prince was always getting into trouble. First, it was the undeniable thirst for adventure, thirst for danger and something new… if it wasn’t that then it was the mouth that had quickly come with it, the insistence that he could do anything which was often quickly contrasted with facts of what he could do. Today, he was determined to not only reach but wander outside the borders… last time he’d been properly thwarted, though by who he couldn’t remember. Really, apart from Ma and Pa, all of the adults just blurred together into one giant mass – an evil mass that decided he was only allowed to travel so far.

He followed the route he knew from the den to the borders, following along uneven terrain, mostly downhill but occasionally it reached a peak… the mountain boy was learning his land, and he was learning it well. He supposed that he would have it – it was in his blood, wasn’t it? He’d crept out while his mother was asleep, keenly unaware that his father was awake and aware of Capra’s rather unsolicitous activity… he wasn’t planning on inviting anyone along. After all, he was strong and he could do this himself.

Greer occasionally forgot that it was entirely possible for his new brood to adopt his stealthiness as they grew older. It was a trait common to Archers, one that Greer had embraced in his four years. It was now a trait that his children were also adopting, much to his dismay. Capra in particular. The little goat had developed a thirst for adventure, much like his older sister, and was frequently testing his limits with his parents (and siblings). Unfortunately for Capra the shadow had spotted his son slinking away from the communal den, clearly determined to cause havoc and stress out his parents.

Silver pools silently watched the pale child maneuver over the rock, his body still tucked away against the rock as Capra remained oblivious to his father’s position. He blamed the lack of detection on the boy’s puppy nose and the fact that the den area likely reeked of the long-legged shadow. Whatever the reason it worked in Greer’s favour. Unless the boy was aware of his father’s presence and just didn’t care—which was also completely possible.

He uncurled from the ground and began stalking after his son from a distance, his brows pinched tight with concern as he watched the goat continuing along the uneven terrain. The borders, the cub was heading to the borders. Of course he was. His lips curled upward in amusement but he did not quicken his pace. Capra seemed to know where he was going, so for now the shadow followed quietly, observing… waiting…

Capra remained oblivious to his father’s silent footfalls behind him, focused completely on his mission and not on his surroundings, which in retrospect might bite him in the ass someday… he was confident about where he was going until he stumbled briefly over his own paws. He caught himself, taking a couple seconds to make sure he maintained his balance with his disproportionate body, still growing, before he continued on his path. Despite being born in the mountains, he still had much to learn from those around him about travelling through them.

His pawsteps were loud, noisy even… he had no silence and grace once he got a certain range outside the den because it was not an area he was particularly familiar with… if he were to go outside pack borders, he might attracted some very unwanted attention from other predators. Nevertheless, he persisted…

His breath caught in the back of his throat as the boy stumbled, but like the expert mountain goat he was Capra was quick to catch himself before he collapsed upon the stone. A surge of pride swelled within his chest as he continued stalking his child from a distance, his mercury gaze never once wavering from the pale boy. He was persistent in his quest, which Greer admired (even if it was a little reckless). But the shadow wasn’t too worried—he was within shouting and sprinting distance. As far as he could tell there were no threats lurking nearby; therefore, the boy was content to continue along on his adventure. His steps were loud and sloppy, but Capra would learn over time how to master his stealth. It would just take some practice—and a lot of it.

The borders were drawing close but Greer did not put a stop to the little goat. Not yet… Capra was testing his limits and Greer was fully prepared to let him (with supervision, of course). He just did not want his son to make a habit out of it, but that was just wishful thinking.

The heavily marked scent lines were caught with his nose, looking at the imaginary line with apprehension. Come on Cap, it’ll be fun… it’ll be the unknown… He tried to tell himself that he couldn’t be afraid, but the idea of crossing out of the sanctuary he’d been protected in seemed like a daunting task in and of itself. Dangers laid across the unmarked path, and being outside the territory meant that the adults couldn’t get to him as quickly to save him. He was still unaware that his father had been watching his every single move. He took a deep breath – he’d done this once before already, right? The last time it had gone okay…

Sure, Ma had been following him last time, which it had taken him a little bit of time to realize… but he could do this by himself, right? He’d be okay? He dared take those steps… it just didn’t seem all that different to him. He began to wander, looking for something new to tame his desires for a brave adventure he could brag to the other Borealis boys about when he returned to the den.

The pale boy was determined—and a skilled mountaineer in the making. Although Greer was a little worried about what shenanigans Capra might get himself into, he was also a little impressed. The pale Argyris Archer was persistent. He continued forward without a care in the world, his denim blue gaze fixated on the path (and invisible border) before him. But, in the boy’s quested to defy his parents, he had completely forgotten to observe his surroundings. A rookie mistake—but a forgivable one. He was young and inexperienced; he still had so much to learn.

So he quickened his pace, his long legs making haste over the rugged terrain; it did not take him long to catch up to his son and sidle up next to his small frame. Where go? He asked, but not angrily. His voice held genuine curiosity as he matched his son’s stride. Greer knew that he had just foiled Capra’s plans but he intended to let his son pursue his quest for adventure—just with him by his side. The shadow was always up for a jaunt around the mountain. 

The voice of his father came out of nowhere and caused Capra to jump in his skin, instantly turning around with that “oh shit” look painted on his features. “N-Nothing…” He stammered out – getting caught by his father had not been in his plans, and it showed. He had yet to develop the decorum to hide his less than relevant thoughts in a situation. “I mean, nowhere…” He stammered out again with an innocent puppy smile, trying to make his father believe, which he knew would inevitably fail.

He glanced at the imaginary line again, then back at his dad. “I just wanted to see what beyond the borders looks like.” He started to explain as his paw scraped at the dirt in front of him. “But it don’t look no different… so why are we only here and not there too?” It was his backwards, somewhat confusing way of asking how they decided where the border was when it all looked the same to him.

He smiled in response to the boy’s stunned appearance, his tail swaying softly behind him to show that he was not angry with his son. Adventure was part of growing up—just as long as it did not result in another pup-napping. Revon’s disappearance still weighed heavily in his thoughts, especially since it had been preventable—along with the accidental death of his daughter’s kidnapper (who she had ended up befriending). It was harder keeping an eye on three children but Greer liked to think they were doing pretty good considering the Heights’ few numbers. Revon had stepped up in watching her little brothers despite her reluctance and the shadow was grateful for her loyalty.

Not mad, he hummed in response as he padded toward the pale goat. Aurora home. Safe. Ours. He wasn’t good at explaining this stuff. Not like his wife. Aurora no-have all, he added with a wink. They needed to share some of the mountain with their northern neighbours and passing loners.