Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Arora lay at the foot of the shallow den she'd dug beneath the base of a massive boulder and a fallen cottonwood tree, napping in the dappled light that danced around the forest floor. It was pleasantly warm, with the soothing music of singing birds and babbling water from a nearby brook to lull her into a short slumber.

It was the dappled light that most interested Ataji, and convinced the young pup to tumble out of the den mouth shortly after his mother's eyes had closed. The dark-coated puppy blinked at the new influx of light hitting what would eventually be bright yellow eyes.

Not far behind her brother, Lepiota squirmed up the tunnel and bumbled into the leaf-scattered sunlight. She squinted, shielding puppy-blue eyes from the onslaught of brightness. And then she opened them wide, and gaped at the giant world that sprawled out before her!

Shadow Star & Umbrik

Shadow Star plodded from the den after his siblings, and continued on past them and into a small forest of flowers that sprouted past the den's entrance. The curious puppy began to sniff and nose at the many plants, delighting in the varied scents and colors.

The palest pup, with his nearly all-white coat, remained shied back in the safety of the den. Not afraid per say, but overwhelmed by all these new colors and sounds. His bright eyes, soon destined to darken into chestnut red hue, were focused up on the branches and leaves that danced around high above them all.

Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Arora's sleep was light enough that she could still hear the rustling of tiny, clumsy paws over the earth. "Don't go too far, kids." She murmured drowsily, without opening an eye. If one of them strayed too far, the alphess would be up in a heartbeat to retrieve them. But for now, she was content to let them explore nearby.

Ataji looked back at his mother, then noticed Umbrik hadn't left the den yet. He wagged his stubby tail and blundered back towards the yawning darkness of their nest, peeking his head inside to bump noses with his brother. "Are you scared, Umbi?"

The brook held Lepiota's interest. She plodded towards the shimmering, burbling liquid with determination. Tufts of grass and sticks tripped and stumbled the young pup, but with each blunder, the youngster was learning to control her movements and adjust her wobbly gait. She also learned, upon reaching the creek, that water was painful when taken up through the nose, and this experience had Lepiota sneezing and shaking her head, and gaining an important new insight to water.

Naiche

"First day out of the den?" Naiche questioned softly as she padded towards the small family. The dark wolfess moved towards Lepiota, taking it upon herself to nudge the youngster back from the water's edge, shallow as it may be. "Careful now, little one."

Shadow Star & Umbrik

Shadow sneezed as pollen tickled his sensitive nose, and ended up tumbling backwards. He sneezed a second time and shook his head, pawing at the tickling sensation in his muzzle until the itchiness subsided. A new voice had him turning about as he stood up, and looking in the direction of the dark female at the water's edge. "Hello?" He queried, without an ounce of hesitation or shyness. Shadow's stubby tail began to wag and he bounced in Naiche's direction.

Umbrik blinked up at his brother, moving his curious gaze from Naiche to his empathetic sibling. "Not scared." He answered, almost thoughtfully as his eyes shifted to the dancing leaves above them. "It's just so big. I don't think there's a roof above those branches."