Sunrise Ridge maybe this is all that i can be

open to 1 other | Orionis, a line of ducklings seem to have mistaken you for their mother.

Mother was disappearing for longer periods of time which meant Orionis had more opportunities to stretch his stumpy little legs. He was always cautious, as he knew there were scary things beyond the den. His vision was getting better, day by day, as the blurry shapes became more defined. There were lots of tall shapes surrounding the hidden den… trees? Was that what they were called? A small frown pulled at the corners of his mouth as he shuffled forward, his little snout pointed to the sky as he observed the tall, sinewy trees. The orb in the sky was less bright today; easier on his navy irises. It was more cloudy than it had been, which worried the boy. He did not know why, but it felt wrong. Uncomfortable. It did not, however, deter him from exploring.

He did not go far. A few tail lengths away from the mouth of the den, his pudgy body bouncing around the clearing as he chased a leaf. An unfamiliar sound caught him by surprise as he collapsed against the ground, his paws stretched out beneath him as he turned to look behind him. Four fuzzy creatures had been following him, their strange, splayed feet stamping excitedly against the ground. He blinked curiously, his soft features tightening as his head twisted from side to side. They seemed okay… small, like him… not at all threatening. He collected himself and shuffled backward, causing the four ducklings to follow him with excited chirps escaping their oddly shaped muzzles. A smile broke across his inky maw as he spun around and began marching around the clearing once more, causing the ducklings to spring into action and follow dutifully behind him.

Laike Artemieva

With the children safely under the care of Adelayde, Laike left to scout. The trip would not take very long - he couldn't risk another run in like he had had with the coyotes in Hearthwood. This time he was hoping to find something good. A suitable meal perhaps. Although he found himself in a familiar area. He had left @Inna here with her son while on his way back home. A soft frown pulled at his features. How was she? What had become of the son, was he still alive? There was an uncomfortable feeling thinking that something bad had happened to the tiny family so he pushed it aside. Surely he could deal with feelings later.

He was forced to face them though as the site of a child (with....ducklings?) came into view. Perhaps this was the Baranski boy? Laike slowly halted his movements, standing off to the side to watch the child and his company.

art by kydnt

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A gleeful smile sprawled across his dark features as he pranced around the little clearing with his fuzzy friends following close behind him. He didn’t know where they had come from, nor did he care. They weren’t scary and didn’t appear to be a threat to him, which made them the perfect playmates. The boy hadn’t realized, until now, how lonely he had been. Sure, he had momma, but he didn’t have any siblings to pester. And momma had to take care of him, which meant she needed to leave to find food and make sure the bad things stayed away. The ebony youth was comfortable being on his own, and usually spent most of his time hanging around the mouth of the den, but today he had friends! Today was a good day, and he couldn’t wait to tell his momma about the fuzzy creatures.

But the thought caused his steps to falter and nearly sent the boy face-first into the soft ground. Would momma get mad at him for leaving the den and making friends? He hadn’t gone far… he was literally right outside… surely momma wouldn’t get mad at him for that… He gave his head a little shake and continued his march with he ducklings in tow, and remained blissfully unaware of the orange eyes watching him from a distance…

for reference: kai informed me inna would have told laike of the name for her son

Laike Artemieva
i remember, i remember the days
when i'd make you oh so afraid

The boy seemed content with the feathered creatures. Laike didn't have the heart to break up the scene. Two sets of children (despite different species) without parents currently nearby. It tugged at heartstrings he didn't even really know he had. He watched as the boy seemed to falter with his steps and Laike lifted a paw, ready to move in case anything happened.

But the boy seemed to continue on like nothing had happened.

Tentatively he called out with curiosity, wondering if this was the Baranski child. Orionis? He questioned at first before he lowered himself to the ground with hopes it would make him less intimidating. For ever sometimes Laike forgot how scary he might look to children or soft hearted wolves. His stocky form and scarred features didn't necessarily make it easy to look friendly. Seems you've made a few friends.

art by kydnt

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The scent of a large band of coyotes is on the breeze.

The ebony boy was in absolute bliss stomping around with his troop of ducklings when he heard a strange voice call out through the trees. The only thing familiar about it was that it spoke his name. Orionis. That was him—but who else knew him other than momma?! He’d only been exposed to the inky Baranski during his short life (as he did remember the trio of wolves that helped his mother evade coyotes on the day of his birth). Nobody knew his name but momma.

He shrunk away from the voice, his ears folding against his crown as he stumbled backward. His denim blues landed on an unfamiliar (big, scary) tawny blob. The voice, while foreign to the boy, sounded nice. But he was not sure. Momma told him to stay clear of strangers and keep to the den. Orionis always tried to be a good boy and listen to momma… would she get mad at him for attracting a stranger to the den? What if… what if they had to leave?! Was it all his fault?

He swallowed, his little body trembling as he suctioned himself to the ground. Friends. That was a good word, but the boy wasn’t sure what the big blob was talking about.

you fill my head with pieces

of a song i can't get out

Her son was growing bigger everyday and doing well and Inna had every intention of making sure that continued. That also meant that she had to leave him alone to go hunt to make sure she got the food that would give him enough nourishment. The Raven hated every moment she was away from him especially with the increase in coyotes in the lore. She would tell herself each time that is was for him to make sure he grew big and strong.

When the scent of coyotes reached her she hadn't yet caught anything but she wouldn't risk her son's life for something she could catch later. Without a second thought she raced back to the den to find her son trembling a pressed to the ground. Ready to go on the defensive and do what she had to in order to protect her son she stopped when the familiar form of Laike came into view.

The Raven immediately relaxed and her tail waved happily behind her. “Come to check on us?” She asked the male as she stepped toward him and brushed her muzzle against his in greeting. Inna then turned to her son, “You don't have to be scared Ori this is Laike. He's a friend, the one who saved us and helped us get here,” she explained as she tried to comfort her son by brushing her muzzle along his side. “Come say hi.”

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