Heartleaf Creek see you very soon

All welcome to any DEB members, especially Vi's kids. But this is meant to be a quick moving thread for bingo purposes. I will be starting the next round no later than August 19th, but possibly sooner
Late afternoon/early evening, Partly cloudy, 14C/57F

The sun had just barely begun it’s slow descent in the sky, turning the clouds a soft pink that reminded the leader there were still a few weeks left in the summer. Despite the fact that he knew that, he had found his first fallen red leaf this morning, and the air today was cooler than it had been all summer. Fall was approaching them, as sad as it made Viorel feel, there was nothing he could do to slow it. Not only that, but it meant that his children were well on their way to growing into adults, gone were their tiny pudgy bodies, and in their place small yearlings were forming.

It was time for a new lesson.

Taking one final lap from the burbling creek Viorel looked to the sky, for the first time in the while feeling a little homesick. Now with the thought of fall coming and behind it winter, it was a twisted reminder how long it had been since the Valle had seen the sea of his birthplace. Setting his jaw firmly, he blinked away from the orangey sky, the memory of sea salt still fresh in his mind. Lifting his muzzle he called for his children, and their mothers, and whoever wanted to join them. He needed to get his mind off his nostalgia, and the only way to do that was to make new memories.

(This post was last modified: Aug 16, 2021, 02:42 AM by Viorel.)

Archer was watching the clouds change colors, wondering how much light was left. He had noticed the days were growing shorter, but he didn't know what that meant. Not that he was complaining; he liked the night. He like the quiet of the darkness. He liked the fun things he learned, like the fact that sometimes stars ran and there were bugs that lit up.

He heard Da's voice and perked up, turning his face toward the sound. "@Eros !" he called over his shoulder before bounding towards the sound of his father's voice. He wanted to be the first one to arrive; he needed to prove he was the most attentive. His embarrassment at the disastrous fishing lesson still burned in his ears, and he was eager to make up for it.

"Da!" he called as soon as he saw his dark shape through the trees. He skidded to a stop beside him, smiling widely up at him. "First," he said proudly, sitting and puffing his chest up. He may be the youngest, but he would show Da he was the best.

[size=x-small]Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

Margo hadn't been doing much of anything when she heard her fathers call. In fact, she'd been doing a whole lot of nothing as of late. The older Margo got, the harder she found being around anyone else to be. The pup just felt... Different somehow. Like she couldn't fit in with the other wolves around her age, and like she'd just embarrass herself if she tried. The Valle had a feeling that if she answered this call she'd be forced into a situation involving exactly that, trying to blend in or whatever, but at the same time she really cherished moments with papa. With a heavy sigh, the young female got up on her feet and jogged toward the location of where she heard papa's voice.

Archer was already there when she had arrived, but nobody else had made it just yet. Good. That meant Marguerite hadn't been keeping anyone waiting. "Papa" she smiled, rubbing against the male affectionately.

Eros trotted happily after his brother once they'd heard their father's call. It was pretty much always worth it when Dad beckoned, and of course he couldn't let his littermate go on any kind of adventure without him. When they arrived to where Viorel waited, their sister was approaching too. She went to Da' without saying hi to them, so Eros made sure to try and get her attention.

He walked up next to her and leaned heavily against her flank. His puppy tail wagged heartily and his eyes closed with contentment as he nuzzled against her, expecting his sibling to welcome the greeting warmly.

She had already been out and about when she heard Viorel's call, and so quickly changed her meandering course to head his way, figuring that it was good to spend some time with him and the children before it became bedtime. From what she could tell all the children seemed to get on together well enough, and for that she was grateful, but only time could tell if that would continue as they grew older. The worry that having multiple parents with a confusing relationship dynamic would affect them negatively still hung around in the back of her mind, but she would continue to hope that everything would turn out okay.

By the time she arrived only a few of the children were there, and she let out a soft chuff as a greeting. Clover gently nuzzled Margo, glad to see her out and about, and offered both of Vanadis' boys a quick brush of her muzzle against their shoulders if they allowed her to. She turned to Viorel with a smile, bumping her shoulder against his. "What do you have planned for tonight?" Hopefully something fun for the kids, but it was also nice to just be in their presence so she was not too fussed about what they actually got up to.

Thanks guys! I will be posting the next round on August 25th, and archiving on the 31st!

Members of his family didn’t keep Viorel waiting for very long, and Archer came with a pleased announcement that he was first. Grinning, the father bowed into a playful position, ”I’m glad you came so quickly, because I was getting hungry for puppies for dinner!” Leaping forward, he would attempt to nibble the boy all over, ruffling up his dark fur.

Glancing up as the sound of other paws approached, he was surprised to see Marguerite joining them, it wasn’t like her to be so quick to adventure. Letting Archer go, he accepted her affection, and planted a kiss of his own right on the crown of her skull, and then one on Eros as well when he saddled up to his sister. Returning the bump to Clover, he winked at her, happy to see his family mingling, as weird as their family unit was.

Rolling his shoulders, he attempted to look nonchalant, ”Well, I was just thinking that someone might want to join me out for a walk past the borders, but I wasn’t sure, it might be kind of boring to get out of our territory for a while.” He grinned at Clover again, before looking towards his children to try to gauge their reactions. Taking a few steps past their markers he glanced backwards, ”Well, are you guys coming? But stay close, and don’t think this means you can do this without an adult.”

Viorel prepared himself for a million questions from the boys, and he was not sure how Margo would react. But, there was some learning to do.

Archer was pleased to be first, and was therefore surprised by his father's playful attack. Archer toppled over backwards, batting his paws at his Da's muzzle and trying not to giggle. Tickles! When the onslaught stopped, Archer sat back up and shook the dust from his fur, returning to a stately pose. "'m not scared'a you," he said. Then he noticed his half-sister, the sobber. He couldn't even remember her actual name. He sniffed and was about to turn back to Da when his brother arrived, cozying up to Sobber. Archer huffed and resisted the urge to roll his eyes when the Other Mother arrived and brushed her nose against his shoulders in greeting. He tolerated it, if only because Da liked her and Archer was fond of Oleander and Oleander loved his Ma.

Da's plan drew Archer out of his grouchy thoughts and he perked up. Out of the territory? "For real?" he asked, wide eyed. He glanced at Eros excitedly, but tried to maintain a more subdued posture in front of the Other Mother and the Sobber. Even so, he couldn't keep his tail from wagging. Da was trusting them enough to take them out of the territory! To see the world beyond! He found himself wondering if @Oleander would catch up on time; the other boy seemed like he would like learning new things and might be sad he missed out.

Archer jumped up and quickly trotted after Da, bouncing up until he was level with Da's front legs and maintaining his place there.

[size=x-small]Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

An eagle flies overhead and drops pieces of its kill. +3 Health

Filled with gratitude that her family was showing her so much affection, the young girl felt a tang of guilt over the fact that she almost didn't show up due to her own self-inflicted emotional slump. Even if she felt that she usually didn't fit in the same way everyone else did, it was clear to the young Valle that they all loved her regardless. Well, maybe not the Archer boy. He seemed pretty indifferent to her presence, but regardless. She'd just have to do better to ensure these feelings of being the black sheep didn't linger on forever.

Margo's eyes widened at the mention of strolling beyond the pack borders, and she probably couldn't have done anything to keep her tail from wagging if her life depended on it. Outside of the territory? Sure, on it's own that was quite a scary thought. But she'd be with momma and papa, and so long as they were around everyone would be okay! She looked at Eros with a grin "Coooool!"

There was no pushing or pulling away, and that was good enough for the boy even if his affection wasn't outright returned. He and Archer were pretty different, and Eros was starting to think maybe this was how Margo was different too. That was okay -- he'd give hugs and kisses for the both of them then.

Clover arrived soon after him, her muted bark causing his small ears to leap up and his head to swivel around. Excited all over again, his tail was once again in overdrive, slapping back and forth behind him. When she moved to greet him, he pawed and licked lovingly at her muzzle. Then Dad was talking, and dropped some pretty magical words like a bomb upon the children.

A walk past the borders.

Eros' jaw dropped. Archer was the first to catch his eye, a big grin spreading over his mottled face as peach eyes sparkled. Motion from Margo then nabbed his attention, bright gaze watching her mouth form one long word. Without thinking he joined in with her, showing nearly all his teeth.

"Cooool!!"

He leapt forward, chasing after Archer and their Dad while looking over his shoulder to ensure that Mama Clover and Marguerite were following too.

(This post was last modified: Aug 24, 2021, 05:25 AM by Eros.)