Round Stone Crest the shot heard around the world

for papa @Gent  
Partly Cloudy, 67F

A full month old.  Marianna and her brothers had survived the first four weeks of their life, no longer completely helpless little fuzzballs.  Their mother was able to leave the den for more than a few brief moments if she wished to hunt or stretch her legs.  It bothered the princess less and less as the days wore on.  As her coat filled out, she became less sensitive to breezes and cooler temperatures.  She didn't need to nurse quite so often.  The world was in a clear focus now, and the majority of her attention was released outside of the natal den. Curiosity spurred the toddler onwards, much more steady on her feet than she'd been even a week ago.  It wouldn't last long.  Soon enough, her next growth spurt would result in paddle feet and an overlarge skull, but for now, she lacked a wobble in her walk.  In fact, she was able to break into an easy job, exploring her domain with all the confidence and grace of a proper princess.  Each day, she made it further away from their natal den – and each day, she found it a bit easier to escape the watchful eye of her elders if that's what she so sought. Except, today, it wasn't. Today, Ari wanted someone to explore with.  Getting her brothers meant going back to the den, and there was no assurance she'd actually find Kino there.  The middle child was equally as likely to explore as she was.  Put out by the notion, she came to a halt, planting her haunches on the ground before giving a soft yip.  The yip was followed by a louder one, and all at once it became a litany of high noises, summoning any wolf nearby.

(This post was last modified: Jun 05, 2015, 05:43 PM by Marianna.)

 

A wild dissertation appears!

Gent hadn't meant to visit the children today. With his new crown, he had been rather busy, pursuing all that he had been dreaming about these past few months. While he still made time for them, of course, and still missed them dearly when not interacting, the falling member count urged him to act to retain and strengthen the subordinates who remained. Inside his mind, he was developing a plot for each of them, a purpose that would tie them closer to the pack while further empowering the Crest. They had come here more or less with their tails between their legs, but when Gent was through with them, they would be the dominating force of Snowmarch Expanse.

As he passed by, border patrol heavy on his mind, something soft and bird-like faintly entered his hearing. As always, he was on high alert when near the den, his fatherly instincts pulled out immediately by those who were not even his blood. Halting his steps, he strained to listen more closely, ears pivoting toward the source of the sound. After only a second of silence, the sound repeated itself, and then again and again, in rapid succession; on of the whelps was outside of the den, and calling hectically for attention. While the sound did not speak of fear, Gent moved swiftly, a low dosage of adrenaline seeping into his muscles as his mind anticipated the worst.

He broke through the tightly-knitted trees into the minute patch of grass that expanded before the mouth of the den, on high alert for anything in addition to the cubs that might be lurking by or that might have scared Marianna into her fit. The immediate and smallest of plant life had now been thoroughly trampled by puppy paws, and she sat amongst it all, crying not of any true need but simply for attention. Despite the unnecessary scare she had given him, Gent was not cross with her.  In truth, a secret part of him was thankful for the excuse to be distracted from his responsibilities, his hard work ethic pushed aside only for the chance to spend time with his three favorite children.

"Hey there, baby girl," he spoke soothingly in low tones as he entered the stage and lowered his snout to nose her gently. Daddy's here, his mind continued, but he knew better than to speak such a thing aloud. Not yet.

Stamping her paws against the ground, the young wolf tipped her jaws further towards the sky. Her voice held none of the songlike quality the older wolves' did – it was all yips and calls, poor imitations of the sounds she'd heard around the family den. High and squeaky as her barks and whines were, it had the desired effect. Before long, her friendly shadow joined her among the trampled grass, silent and swift in his movement. As he bent down to greet her, the month old pup reached up. Her tail wagged, movement reverberating up through her entire body as she returned the affection. Gent's dark muzzle was quickly covered in tiny puppy kisses, met with the same affection Minka would have been subject to. They weren't much different, in Ari's mind. Here, within the pack of Round Stone Crest, the nuclear wolf family was fading to obsolescence. Knowing no different, the guardian filled perfectly the role of father. How was such a tiny pup to know he and her mother weren't proper mates? How was such a young soul to understand he hadn't sired her, only looked after her with the same care and kindness as if she were his own? It made no difference to the chaotic youngster, quick to her feet as she lifted her head. Winding around the adult's legs once, she began to trot away from the general direction of the den, intent on her exploration and adventure. Only once did she stop, glance over her shoulder to make sure her shadow was following after. "Gggg," she bubbled, wagging her tail in invitation. What did her mother call the man? "Gennnn--?"

 

A wild dissertation appears!

She was absolutely thrilled to see him, and it only served to make Gent's heart soar. How one tiny little creature could make him so utterly happy, he didn't know. Honestly, he'd never felt peace nor mirth like this in his entire life; couldn't say he even knew it existed. Only for those who still lived and found pain in Tokino's passing was he not happy for it. Well, even then, maybe deep down... he couldn't quite help it. If the man hadn't been murdered, Gent wouldn't be exactly where he was right now, with his daughter.

He passed his tongue over her tiny ears once, returning her shower of kisses in a single one of his own, and then she was off. It was to be expected; Ari was by far the most rambunctious of her siblings and a runner at heart. Dutifully, the man assumed his role as her personal guard. Set on the same tactics as he had used countless times before in order to deter her from straying too far, he loomed over her. His large, dominant form cast her in perpetual shadow, but also shielded her from the world's many dangers. As long as he was there, she would know no fear, and certainly no pain; that was a promise written in his small heart.

When she spoke, he'd nearly dismissed the gurgling sound as more babbling. Yet something registered within his mind and made him think twice, glacial eyes blinking down at her. Had she... ? No, she couldn't of; she wasn't speaking yet, not that he knew of. And yet...

"... Gent? Are you trying to say Gent?"

As her wishes were granted, Ari's happy babbles temporarily ceased. Content to focus the majority of her attention on exploration, the month-old child moved forward at a steady trot. It was slow, yes, but she hadn't yet hit her next growth spurt, and the princess was far more stable that she'd be in only a few weeks. Humming under her breath, conversation was forgotten until her shadow spoke, reminding her of her initial intention. The toddler drew to a slow halt before glancing upwards, meeting the arctic gaze staring down at her just as readily. "Gennnn-!" she parroted happily, "Gent!" Yes, that was the word her mother used to call the man. She was 'Ari', her specter-like exploring sibling was 'Kino', and the chubby, black cloud was always summoned as 'Draven'. She'd heard her dam referred to as 'Minka' by the other wolves, but the alpha always assured her children that she was their 'mother'. So it made perfect sense, she thought, to use the same word, the same name her lovely dam did. And it had worked! Had summoned her shadow right to her, right where he was supposed to be. "Gent. Gent! Gent!" Delighted with her discovery, she continued to repeat the word, even as her puppy blue eyes returned to the world around them. The child was oblivious what her words might mean for the adult, only crooning them because it seemed she ought, and because the sounds made such pretty colors. Stumpy tail wiggling behind her, she began to push onwards again. When she found her father figure a step behind, she glanced over her shoulder. "Gent!"

 

A wild dissertation appears!

@Minka gent is calling for her to join in :3

The man's ears flipped forward when she made that first, drawn-out but incomplete attempt. Without fully realizing it, Gent was holding his breath, and he wasn't quite sure if he'd ever felt such immense suspense before. It was quite certain now that his little girl was attempting to speak his name, and it was only seconds later that she tried again, finally able to tack on the t at the end of Gent. Elation soared up at lightning speed through his ribcage, attacking his heart. The king wasn't quite sure was thrilled him more; that she had said her first word, finally breaking into linguistic communication, or that it had been him that she learned to call for first.

For a moment, Gent could only stare as she toddled on and continued to bubble out his name, dumbfounded. Then with suddenness, energy surged through his muscles. He couldn't help but bound forward, then spin and slap his broad paws and thick forelimbs down in front of her. With his wagging tail in the air and chest pressed into the grass, he faced her now nose-to-nose, the broadest grin that had ever been found splitting open his muzzle.

"Minka! Minka!!" he shouted out, dearly hoping the little girl's mother was nearby so that she could share in this moment. The man then stretched his neck forward and nuzzled Ari, licking her little cheek. The next words spoken were far softer as he told her, "I'm so proud of you."

For a moment, only a moment, the young pup was startled into silence by the male's sudden explosion of energy. Blue eyes stared at him before the gape of her mouth was replaced with a laugh, the child mimicking her father's motions with a fumbled slap of her own paws. The wagging tail was an invitation she could not resist, and Ari toddled forward to meet his expression with joyful croons and licks to his broad muzzle. The reason for such commotion was well beyond the Lagina princess, but she was more than happy to take part in the apparent celebrations.
"Minnnnnk-" she parroted after her shadow, beaming up at Gent. With one word down, the ruddy pup so no reason not to master the next. Minka was her mother, she knew, as @Gent was the opposite to that. Father, was the word – the alpha used it often, describing a wolf that was not here, and a man she'd never know. None of this made sense to the child – all the things her mother described, those all fit the male before her perfectly. It all worked, in her little world, and the child crooned again. "Mink. Mink? Minnnk-ah. Minkah!" she barked, stumpy tail wagging furiously as she correctly mashed the sounds together.

After a moment, she nuzzled back into the alpha, her accomplishments already forgotten. "Gent," she hummed happily, trying to find a comfortable place to rest against his paws. If cuddles were being offered, Ari certainly had an interest in them. "Da-" she burbled again, trying to recall the exact word Minka had used. "Da-?"

I think Ghost is pretty busy so I figured we can just keep going ourselves?

 

A wild dissertation appears!

Her children had been growing quickly, it seemed only yesterday they had been born and now they were old enough to begin exploring on their own. Luckily her litter this year seemed much less interested in wandering over the borders than her last, not once had she caught them too far or heard complaints from others. Of course that might have just meant that they were more subtle than Kova and Noble had ever been. Minka had been patrolling the border as she often did throughout the day hoping everything was settled and her children hadn't in fact wandered too far. Gent's call halted the alpha in her tracks as her cranium twisted towards the sound, her leather nose twitching. His distant scent was mixed with that of her daughter's and for a minute her heart quickened as she assumed something must be wrong. It took only a minute for the mother to reassure herself that everything would be fine, Gent was obviously there and his voice had sounded urgent but not panicked.

Abandoning her task without a second thought Minka was only a minute or two after Gent's call before she happened upon the scene. Slowing her paws as she came upon the clearing her heart almost froze in her chest, Ari had cuddled into the dark mans legs and paws and was calling him Da. The mother was conflicted, part of her wanted to tear them apart and declare that Gent was not her real father but she couldn't bring herself to move forward. How could she ruin her daughter's happiness over her own pangs of jealousy that her mate could not be the one here to see their children grow? Forcing a smile upon her face Minka moved closer, until the smile on Ari's face forced her own smile to become real. Standing close to the pair she dipped her muzzle down to nuzzle her daughter's crown before standing, accidently brushing her cheek against Gent's chest and throat. Blushing at the intimate contact she stepped backwards, blinking down towards her own paws with embarrassment.

click!

The brief shock that passed over her face earned a laugh from her pseudo father. When she joined in his celebration, a contented sigh fell from his muzzle and he lowered his body completely to the ground, happy to watch her. It was amazing to him that she was already at this point, and yet it also seemed as though he'd been waiting forever for the moment that something intelligible came out of her mouth. She was growing up so fast, and he knew that he would miss these moments, but still he could not wait for her to learn more and more, to be able to speak with him.

His ears, which had floated down to rest upon his skull, now flipped up and forward to once more stand at attention as she began to try and speak another word, a very familiar word to them both. This time, he didn't speak any encouragements, letting her puzzle it out for her own but enraptured all the same, nearly holding his breath as he waited for her to get it right. His faith in her was absolute, and after a few failed attempts she proved him right. Obviously happy with herself as well, the little girl then cuddledback into his thick mane, cooing his name once more. Wrapping a heavy paw around her Gent pulled her close for a hug, before hearing Minka's approaching paw steps upon the ground.

Hoisting himself back onto his paws, glacial eyes searched for her. Upon finding her, Gent let out an excited bark, before exclaiming, "Minka, listen! Ari said our names! She said--"

The man cut himself short as an oblivious Marianna began to try something else, and his blood froze within his veins. The newly crowned king wasn't entirely sure what was said of his predecessor to the children, as each time the late patriarch was brought up in front of them he had found a reason to excuse himself, no matter how weak the alibi. Certainly that word had never been referenced to him, and he wondered if she even was trying to say dad at all. Yet it was already in his head, and he found himself utterly embarrassed, and perhaps even a little ashamed despite his having no hand in the matter.

Minka must have noticed as well, but had the grace not to say a thing about it. Not in front of him, at least. He wondered if tonight, after he'd left to patrol the borders, if she would have a talk with Marianna, correcting her. The thought wounded him considerably, but he would never be caught admitting that aloud. Regardless, he remained as silent as his queen, stepping closer to Ari to be able to further praise her after Minka's affection had been shown.

When the mother raised her head, Gent was shocked to feel her muzzle grace his fur with touch. His pale eyes widened slightly, but with her immediate reaction he came to realize that it had been an accident, and he could easily see the embarrassment etched upon her face just as it had been upon his moments ago. Feeling a little bit even now, he gave her a soft anyone's mistake smile before looking down upon his little girl and gifting her with another grin.

"Show your mother, Ari. Show her how you say 'Minka' and 'Gent.'"

(This post was last modified: Aug 13, 2015, 07:14 PM by Gent.)

No sooner had she settled herself on the alpha's paws and forgotten his call for her mother than did the woman in question appear.  She glanced up at the sound of Gent's voice, momentarily pausing in her attempt at her newest word.  Her nose tipped as she followed the male's gaze, and then she spied her mother.  Revitalized, the child sprung back to her feet, entire body wriggling as she greeted her mother with a short bark and a whine.  Her mother's gesture was met with another croon, tongue flashing out to try and return the greeting.

Whatever happened between her shadow and her mother was completely lost on the child, instead focused on the lord's words.  Ears perked up and she glanced back at her mother eagerly.  "Gent!" she announced proudly, recognizing the world well.  It was, after all, her first one, and the one she said best.  But that was followed quickly by "Mink-  Minkahhh!  Minka!" as she took a step towards her mother's feet, wishing now to cuddle with her first source of joy and happiness.  "Minka!"

Yes, that was her mother, the child thought, and she back-tracked for a moment.  She'd given Gent another name, and it was only proper that Minka had one to.  "Mo--  Ma?  Ma!" she burbled eagerly, her puppy blue eyes shining up as she studied her mother's face, waiting eagerly for another smile or word of praise.

(This post was last modified: Aug 14, 2015, 07:55 PM by Marianna. Edit Reason: tags~ )

 

A wild dissertation appears!