The days had gotten longer, the afternoons stretching farther into the evening. Selkie is grateful that the rains seemed to have slowed as well, though they still lingered. The weather was still raw and damp and heavy, hanging thickly in her lungs. The damp that never seemed to go away… that’s okay though! It didn’t have to go away entirely. It just needed to be clear enough for her to go out to play, she swears. Selkie would make the best of it!

Though the afternoon was still chilly, she’d make the most of it. Playing in the canyon was fun, and the little girl was growing bold. Today she decided she’d be making a game of hopping between the boulders, seeing just how far she could jump between them. Hopping and leaping, it was actually a pretty good time! It’s not like they were that tall either. Only a little taller than Selkie herself, and it hasn’t taken that much effort to get up here. Playing and romping in the fading afternoon sunlight, the shadows growing long around her, Selkie was just having the best time.

From where he lay among the rocks, Quill watched the girl hop about from rock to rock. He'd bedded down for the evening, having spent all day hunting and patrolling borders. He was still considering whether or not he was going to officially join Ashen. There were benefits and detriments. The benefits were all titles and laziness. The detriments came in the form of responsibility and authority. Quill hated authority and he hated being under the paw of another. At least his father ran the pack, otherwise he wouldn't even consider.

The shadows grew long and soon night would take hold of the land. The girl would be out on her own in the dark. There were many dangers, even close to home. She was still small enough that a coyote or an eagle could scoop her up and turn her into a meal. Should he let them? Eh...

"It's dangerous for you to be out here alone, little pup," the brute rumbled from his place up on a stone shelf where he sprawled out like some great lion. "You should head back home to your mother," he advised.

"Speech"

Quill spread upon the rocks, watching as she played. She can see him, she figures he's there, and she feels safer for it. She trusts him implicitly-- to her detriment or not. A little wild thing, romping and playing in the afternoon sunlight. A happy little thing, enjoying the day where it stretched around her shoulders. Warm and shining and lovely. She's so pleased with it all.

Even as the shadows grew long, Selkie knew Quill was up there. She could smell him! Looking down upon her from the stone shelf, the girl wagged her tail happily. Head tossing, a little smile playing on her lips. Happily, purple eyes shining, Selkie looked back up to her older brother. "I'm not alone though!" The wag in her tail couldn't be stopped, sorry. Couldn't be, wouldn't be. "You're out here with me." Here came the charm, looking up at him with big eyes. Certainly he had the authority to let her stay out a little longer, right?

SELKIE KLEIN

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Rather than be frightened at hearing a voice out of the blue, the cobalt and white pup smiled up at him, spouting off some childish nonsense. She wasn't wrong though. He was out here. His mother wouldn't be upset if the pup was with him. It wouldn't be the first time that she'd been in his care and it probably wouldn't be the last.

"Shouldn't you be asleep? What time do pups even sleep?" Quill still peered over the side of the rock ledge, looking down upon the girl. He couldn't believe that one or both of his parents hadn't come looking for her by now. He didn't even see any of his father's dogs lurking about. How had she escaped their notice?

"Speech"

A little nonsense, but what was a little nonsense between a girl and her guardian? Her tail wagging, head high. Peering up at Quill with wide eyes. He'd been stuck with her more than once, and he hadn't been that mean to her yet. Not mean enough to get rid of her, at least, and Selkie happily made her way over to him. Dainty steps across the uneven ground.

Innocent. Selkie is innocent, approaching him with clear eyes and a gentle wag to her tail. "It's not even that late yet," she giggled. She wasn't that far out. It wasn't that bad. "It's still light out." Selkie looked up at Quill, pulling out the charming puppy eyes. The dogs haven't come for her yet, so Selkie is pretty sure that she should be allowed to stay out here for a bit longer, at least if he'll stay with her. A little plea. Cute one at that!

SELKIE KLEIN

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A low growl pulled from Quill. He wasn't a god damn babysitter and yet these puppies seemed to flock to him. If it wasn't Selkie, it was Gem. If it wasn't Gem, it was Barghest. If it wasn't Barghest, it was Arachne. Did they not realize that he didn't like kids? That he didn't like anyone? Ah, but he was on thin ice with his father for not being a team player. 'Go family' and all that...

Selkie pleaded cutely and the brute furrowed his brow. He was so close to telling the girl to fuck off, but a little voice in his head told him to play nice. He didn't want to play nice. He wanted peace and quiet and to take a fucking nap. In the end though, he relented, another rumbling growl reverberating through him. This time it was one of frustration. "Ugh, fine..." he grumbled, but curled his body so that he didn't have to look at her. Maybe she'd go away.

"Speech"