Summer brought a number of plants into bloom and of those with healing properties the most common were dandelions. He gathered any of Jupiter's pups that were interested in digging up dandelions and brought them to the Range where he settled in front of Motif's den to see if any of the pups she was tending to wished to join the little expedition. "Motif? I'm taking pups who are interested out on a dandelion gathering trip. Would anyone in there like to join?" Once he had gathered all the pups he'd go over what a dandelion looked like and what to do when they found one. He'd also have to emphasize not to stick any unknown plants into their mouths. That's all he needed, to accidentally poison a pup.

Lore wasn't sure if she cared much about plants, other than that the things she liked to eat liked to eat them. She definitely liked digging though, that was like... her second or third favorite thing. Besides, Uncle Alarr seemed really cool! She'd wanted to asked about his horns the moment she saw him, but was mayybe still working up the courage, just a little bit. They stopped briefly at the littler puppies den, and she took a moment to look at her siblings, eyes wide and bouncing with excitement. This was gonna be so much fun! Lore hoped she could be helpful, even if she weren't exactly sure what dander lions were supposed to be good for. But as long as all she had to do was dig 'em up, she was the wolf for the job! Wolves would write sagas about how good she was at it, just you wait and see! "Talk" "Listen" Think

Ulmaria scrambled after Álarr, eager to gather some plants. She liked plants and she liked digging so this sounded like fun to her. They arrived in the range where Álarr called to see if more pups were going to join them. She swayed back and forth and back and forth as she waited, glancing over at Lore as she did so. She hoped Uncle Álarr would hurry up. She was ready to go! She glanced over at Afi, one of Álarr's companions who was talking with a fishing cat that was to be a companion for her. Her tail wagged and she waved at the cat. Shoot she wish she could remember it's name! Oh well, she could ask later when they were digging for plants. Could cat's dig?

Consider: he could probably get away with sticking the odd plant in his mouth if he didn't swallow it. Ivy wasn't particularly interested in being helpful, per say, but he was really quite looking forward to getting out and seeing more. If uncle Alarr was going to supervise, then the boy may as well go with them. Dandelions, if they were what Ivy thought they were (the ones with the fluffy heads, right?), were cool enough. They were messy, and if there was one thing Ivy was a fan of, it was mess. As he approached, his eyes flickered between his siblings-- boring. Where was Lotus? For a minute, Ivy considered turning around, but they'd probably already seen him. The stringy boy would join his siblings, albeit looking a bit sour.

Aoede was curled up against Motif’s pale belly as she napped the day away. Being a growing puppy was hard work, and naps were required. Especially for a little firefly kissed baby like herself. She and her brothers were only a few weeks behind their half siblings, but that was enough of a leg up to be noticeable. The young Ademre born were only just getting to the size to start their explorations.

The tiny girl stretched and yawned at the sound of an unfamiliar voice outside the den. Dark ears swiveled and her bright golden eyes blinked open. She looked up to her foster mother, almost asking permission, before the call of adventure had her up and standing on stubby little puppy legs. She grinned up at Aunti Motif in quick goodbye as she sidled up against Kore and the two of them emerged from the den and into daylight.

She blinked back her precious metal stare, innocent moonlight features peering up at the ivory coated man who invited her outside. As if her serious nature were inherited rather than taught she wore no emotion on her features but a curious tilt of her head. Her golden flecked fur glowed slightly to reveal the pleasure of her meeting. Aoede turned from her uncle and looked towards the other pups that had filed in behind him. Golden eyes blinked curiously at the familiar looking pups that reminded her quite a lot of her brothers.

Even instinct couldn’t keep the tiny grin from lifting dark lips to reveal her poking sharp fangs.


"Aoede Regni"

While his sister is curled against Motif’s belly, Kore lays a short distance away, stretched out as far as can, on his back. Right now, naps are the nebula boy’s favorite thing in the world and he will never miss the opportunity to sleep. So, when the voice calls out, Kore groans and rolls onto his side. Who is interrupting his sleep? Slowly he blinks open sleep-filled eyes to look at Ao and Motif. His sister is already standing and he knows she will be going with the voice. The purple boy makes up his mind to go with her when something inside him demands he protect her. Kore does not fight the instinct.

He makes it up onto his paws and releases a loud yawn while giving his coat a hard shake. The furious vibration and unsteadiness of his puppy legs almost sends Kore careening back onto the floor but he manages to steadying himself. Casting his eyes around for Kal, Kore moves swiftly to Ao’s side when she moves toward the entrance. He offers his moon-kissed sister a smile and calls out over his shoulder, “You coming Kal?” needling his sibling to hurry if he is. Side by side the siblings emerge into the sunlight.

After a moment of blinking away the spots in his vision, Kore gives his uncle a smile and dip of head. Blue eyes look over the other pups that have assembled and he unconsciously steps a little closer to his sister. Still, new things are exciting and he offers a huge smile at all the gathered pups. The day promises them adventure!


"Kore Regni"

Kalyke could easily be missed if one didn’t know to look for him.  Curled up in a tight ball most of his vivid blue was hidden.  Add to that the boy had pressed himself into the curve of Motif’s neck and under her chin.  He was an all-around cuddler, whether it was his brother, sister, or Motif he enjoyed the physical contact, the steady breathing of another, the sound of their heart next to him.  

Kal opened his mouth wide, tongue rolling out in a large yawn on hearing Kore’s voice.  What was that? Coming?  Kalyke blinked open his eyes to see Kore and Ao heading out.  Whoa, without him?  Kalyke untucked his legs, waving them about a few moments until he’d freed himself from his sleeping spot.  Kalyke shook out his coat before jogging over to catch up to his siblings, “wait!”

Kalyke was a few strides behind the pair, coming up from behind.  His eyes squinted at the daylight and looking up the strangely antlered wolf and then to what was of more interest, the other kids. His fuzzy tail of rich black and vibrant blue swayed back and forth slowly. “What are we doing?” He had missed out on that detail but he wasn’t going to miss some type of adventure.

“Hi,” the boy offered in a questioning greeting to the other kids.  His head turned up to look at the adult and listen curiously to his explanations about dandelions.  Dig up dandelions?  He glanced to his siblings then headed over to one of the pups, Ivy.  He moved near another pup, Ivy, and half-heartedly dug near the boy, more keeping an eye on him to try and get an idea of what the other kid was like.  Was he good friend material?  Did he like to fight?


"Speech"

Álarr settled down and waited for the interested pups to join him. He was still in shock over how many pups Jupiter had sired in such a short manner of time, let alone how many poor Alfrún had managed to carry. He'd never really wrangled pups before but as long as they remained in pack territory he was sure it would be fine. Besides, the range around them was covered in dandelions. No need for anyone to go wandering outside eyeshot.

"Hello everyone, my name Álarr. I'm a healer and today I'm gathering dandelions. I'd appreciate your help. As you can see the range is full of them." He pawed lightly at a scrap of rawhide that held a few of the dandelions he'd already collected. "Get familiar with the sight and smell of them and we can pile them up here on this scrap of hide. If you're not sure if something is a dandelion, just howl and either I, or Afi," he gestured to the grumpy pallas cat, "can tell you for sure. When you find one try to dig up the whole plant. We want the roots as well as the flowers. Sound good? Then let's get started!" Álarr turned to lead the pups out into the heart of the range.

Ulmaria settled down to listen as Álarr introduced himself and explained that he needed some help gathering dandelions. Oh goody! She had a growing fascination with plants gleaned from her lemur companion and she was eager to learn more from a fellow wolf who also happened to be a healer. She scooted closer to the dandelions laid out on the hide, investigating and smelling them. Her ears perked up as he stated that they'd be digging them up. Even better! She was ready to find some plants as well as get dirty. She loved the feel of earth between her toes. The horned man turned to lead them out into the range and she bounded after him. There were plants of all kinds but it was easy enough to pick out the bright yellow blooms of dandelion. "I found one, I found one!" She yelled as she bounded over to dandelion and started digging.

Kore and Kalyke followed after her, just as eager to go out and see the world. She trotted up to Alarr with her starry tail wagging and an innocent little smile on her features. Both brothers sidled up to her and her own gaze shifted to the half siblings that were also gathered around their teacher’s legs. They really weren't left to wonder for long as the pale wolf introduced himself and offered up the lesson for the day.

He needed help gathering dandelions, that seemed easy enough and the tiny girl was eager to offer assistance. Her golden eyes very nearly matched the yellow golden color, and they reflected bright yellow in her gaze. It didn’t take very long to realize what they were looking for and with a glance to both of her brother’s she led the way towards a thick patch.

"Aoede Regni"

Dandelions, huh? Well, okay. That would be fine. Ivy cast a look at his siblings, half siblings, whichever ones had decided to come along. Really, he just wished Lotus would come with them too. Whatever, he was probably napping or something. How could one boy nap so much, especially when there was stuff to do! No, no, it was fine. He'd just have to tell his brother all about it when he came back. Casting a grumpy glance around his siblings, Ivy shrugged and plodded up to the dandelions Álarr had already gathered. Right, get familiar with the sight and the smell. The stringy bit of a boy lowered his face to sniff them and let out a big sneeze. Okay, so they smelled like sneeze, got it. Weird, but okay.

They moved as a group toward the center of the Range itself, looking out for the sunny yellow flowers as he did. Hmmph. Álarr said something about digging... that was cool, Ivy liked to dig. Playing in the dirt was a good time, something he was more than down for. "What do we want the roots for?" He looked to the healer for answers. Ivy had been scolded for digging, so if there was a reason, he'd have an excuse to give. That, or he'd just blame Álarr entirely, if he couldn't remember. That made enough sense to him. His gaze on the Range around them was curious, and he tentatively moved to something that smelled like a dandelion, but didn't look like the yellow ones, the bloom replaced by something fluffy and white. Another big sneeze though... and dandelions did smell like sneeze. What was that thing?

"Speech"

Álarr did his best to keep an eye on the pups as they scattered about but he'd have to rely on his companions as well. He had no idea how Motif and Jupiter managed with so many little ones. One of the pups, he was some what sure they pup was called Ivy, asked what the roots were for. "The roots are where most of the medicine is. Making a tea from the root can help digestion." He'd also heard it could help the liver but he haddn't used it enough for that purpose to really know if it was useful or not. Afi had recommended using dandelion for gallstones if the situation ever arose.

Ulmaria listened to Álarr answer Ivy's question while she dug. She still wasn't the most coordinated creature and disturbed far more soil than an experienced healer would. She kicked up dirt and grass until she had most of the milk root exposed. Seizing the base in her jaws she pulled and popped the dandelion out of the ground. Even if Álarr wanted the root for healing stuff she still wanted the flowers. She wasn't sure what she'd do with them yet but maybe she could decorate the den with them. Or maybe Motif would like them? She could find some other pretty flowers and make a bouquet.

Honestly, if Álarr had called the pup Lotus, Ivy wouldn't have held it against him. There were too many names to keep straight between them all! He's also happy to dig away at the roots, shredding some as he pulled them up. Eh... oops? That should be... fine right? Even if they were a little battered, they should still work fine... or maybe they wouldn't. Heck if Ivy knew, but he brought them to his uncle and dropped them proudly into the pile, tail wagging. Huh, dandelion tea for digestion. That sounded reasonable enough, Ivy decided. It was maybe a bit weird, but yeah. How could a plant help them digest things? Why were plants so... plant? There was so much to learn, and Ivy wanted to learn all of it. It's his for the taking, after all.

"Words"