Life was comfortable with Mother and Father, ever present, ever loving, ever doting. But Aspasia longed for more. She wanted to explore! The den had grown dull, and she knew she wasn’t the only one in the litter who felt that restless itch. So, with a wag of her tail and an eager smile, off she trotted, right out of the den.

She didn’t quite know where she was going or what she meant to do, but the world beyond was vast, so much to see, so much to discover! Without waiting to see if any of her siblings would follow, she began her descent down the mountain. Should she wander far? Probably not… but where was the fun in staying close?

The weather wasn’t exactly ideal for adventure, yet the soft misting rain felt refreshing against her face as she moved. Sticking out her tongue, she caught the droplets as they gathered and rolled off the pink surface. A giggle bubbled from her throat at the sensation, her eyes bright with delight as she lifted her gaze to the clouds above.

Ranger

It was always exciting figuring out what world you've been born into, though the wait to get old enough to actually explore around was always long. Not so long for wolves thankfully, and it seemed even shorter in this world, barely a month old and yet they're starting solids?

Wild man.

But when Aspasia wandered out of the den (were they allowed this early??) Helios just had to follow the blue girl, toddling his fat little baby legs out after her in a way that no two month old should be able to, years and years of learning how to walk all over again giving the boy a boost. There would be no tripping over his own feet here like some other pups!

He heard the quiet bark of Amon, the ever present guardian of these early days letting Delta know he's got an eye on them, but the man had an awful habit of staying hidden when not directly needed so who knows where he was in the foliage. It didn't really matter, not when there was Childhood Whimsy to relive! The best part about growing up!

Betcha mama's gonna be allll over us when we get back soaked his voice was high pitched, as giggly as his sister was, as he started stomping around in the itty bitty puddles that were forming around her.

SKILL: HUNTER (1/5)

---

He’d been on his way back up the slope, breath heavy in his chest and the metallic tang of blood still fresh in his mouth, when he heard them. The stag’s weight dragged behind him, its antlers leaving deep furrows in the mist-slick earth as he hauled it toward camp. The mountain was quiet otherwise, the kind of quiet that sat heavy and was broken only by the low groan of wind through the trees and the trickle of distant meltwater falling into the lake below.

That peace didn’t last long.

The sound hit him first. High-pitched voices, giggly and sharp, cutting through the fog like stones skipping over still water. He stopped dead, ears pricking. That wasn’t the cry of birds or foxes. Those were pups. Young ones, too.

He dropped the stag with a dull thump against the damp earth, head lifting as he scented the air. The smell of milk and pup breath hit him in the same breath, and his gut twisted. They were far too close to the valley edge for comfort. Down here, one wrong step could send a body tumbling, and if the cliffs didn’t get you, the birds or the mountain cats would.

Perfect, he muttered under his breath, voice thick with exasperation as he started toward the sound. What the hell are they even doin’ out here...

The fog clung to his legs as he moved through the trees, heavy and cold, swirling around his shoulders like smoke. When he finally found them, two tiny shapes stood out against the silver haze—all legs and laughter, splashing in puddles like they didn’t have a care in the damn world.

Westfall’s ears flattened, a frown cutting deep into his face. For a heartbeat, he just stood there, watching. The way kids always made him feel torn between amusement and irritation depending on what they were doing. Then he sighed and stepped forward, his voice carrying low and steady through the mist.

Hey, he called, his tone edged with a warning but not yet harsh. What do you two think you’re doin’ all the way out here?

He loomed over them then, big and broad-shouldered, eyes narrowed but not unkind. The sight of them—tiny, wet, and grinning up at him like they hadn’t just scared ten years off his life—pulled the edge out of his irritation, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud and still tried his hardest to appear stern.

This ain’t the den, he said, voice lowering. You’re a long way from safe ground. If I can smell you from halfway up the ridge, so can everything else that hunts out here. His tail flicked, ears twitching as he looked between them.

He exhaled, long and slow, and shook his head. C’mon, puddle jumpers. Let’s get you back before your ma skins me for lettin’ you wander this far.

---

Ghost

---

Skippable <3 he was just gonna be behind the scenes but I figured i'd get a post in

Amon's pawsteps were silent as he followed the little adventurers, moving between the trees and the foliage like a professional stalker, letting them keep their sense of freedom while he kept them under guard. Dark red eyes watched over them with warmth, though his ears perked in alert as clunky footsteps drew near, focus shifting towards the figure. Who the hell was this yearling? What did he miss this last month on paternity leave?

He was ready to lunge in his pups defense if the teenager proved violent, but he was pleased to see the adolescent was trying to herd them back home instead. He'll need to meet this kid properly later, but for now he stayed hidden, if the boy used his nose he'd be able to smell him, but with these mists? You'd need a good eye to pick him out.

avoir elle est avoir les etoiles
3-3-3 OC

---

Speech Emotional Actions Thoughts

Delta had noticed two pups at first run off; knowing Amon followed close to them, she wasn't too worried until it came down to Helia wandering out to follow her brother. Swiftly, she scooped Zury and Albert further into the nest. Hoping the two pups would stay there whilst she went and either rounded the three up or had to watch them play.

Swiftly, the painted lady moved in the fog, her paws as light as a feather, unheard against the stone and dirt in her path towards her kids, her teeth baring just barely when she scented a smell she's never smelt before. Her strides grew longer, carrying her longer distances until she stepped from the fog right behind the trio of pups.

Slowly, her head leaned down, sniffing the pups over briefly before lifting her head to stare the male down. She did not know this wolf, and truthfully? If she didn't smell Jaxxon on this wolf, she'd be at his throat already for daring to come so close to the little ones.

With not a hint of fear or caution, Aspasia toddled over to Westfall and began rubbing against his legs, her damp coat leaving wet streaks on the stranger. A wide, gleeful grin spread across her face as she looked up at him. Hello! Hi! Hello! she chirped brightly, her tiny tail wagging like mad. Play?

Summoning every ounce of puppy charm she could muster, she gazed up at him with gleaming garnet eyes full of innocent delight. When he tried to herd the pups back toward the den, Aspasia simply plopped her happy little rear down right in front of him. No want den, she declared firmly.

Then came mother, storming in, all bristled fur and fierce protectiveness. Aspasia tilted her head, confusion clouding her sweet expression. Why was Mama upset? She was just making a friend!

Letting out a sharp yip in protest, she barked, Mama mean! before turning her attention back to the tall stranger. Was Mama going to chase him off? No fair! She wanted to explore and make friends!

Determined, the little pup scrambled to her feet on her stubby legs and scurried closer to Westfall, giggling softly as she tucked herself beneath him. Mama couldn’t reach her here!

Azura appears, seemingly out of thin air. Being scooped is reason enough for her to slip out, following in Delta's wake. There's a streak of defiance through Zury that seems to show that she's not to be trusted. And she's used to it. Frankly, being around so many Khalduns is always fun. Which one's going to rip her throat out next? Is one of these Moswin? Is he going to get her again?

Westfall's not Blood, though, and she can tell. Khalduns know their kind. And he doesn't seem like one to crush her skull. He can, but is he going to? Probably not. Zury slips from the mist, finally making a noise.

"It's something to remember," she comments, her words eerie as the look on her face-- briefly, the face of a woman that's lived thousands of lifetimes. A woman who cursed her own blood. A woman who does not regret it. And then she smiles up at Delta and the girl Zury is back and the queen Meresankh is gone. "I'mma go play, too." And with that, she bounds off.