Dandelions lost in the summer sky
Just recently, his nieces - the newest additions to the pack - had been born. It was unusual having no nephews, though he wouldn't argue with the outcome. After all, they were a miracle of life, his brother's special creations. Unlike his other brother's girls, of whom he had forgotten to spend time with and were now missing to the family's grief, this time he planned to see one of the pups. Though he wasn't the father, he wanted to be a part of their lives - an influential canine and a super cool uncle. Besides, he really wanted to have a little apprentice, seeing that he as now the head healer. Perhaps he could interest them in healing.
Catching the scent of one of the girls, he followed the small, freshly laid paw-prints that stretched out across the beach, his companion resting upon his crown. Already he couldn't contain his excitement, starting to plan what he would say and how he would introduce himself, desperate to discover her personality. Would she be shy or loud? All the more to find out! |
The water had finally recceded from the beach, and a very excited and adventurous young girl would be one of the first people to lay her paws on the fine dark sand. Naturally, her father was the second – his form sprinting after her. After the initial excitement of an out of bounds place suddenly being available to her, she would take things a little more slowly. She spent a few days tediously planning and mentally mapping parts of the beach, discovering which parts looked the most interesting. From there, she would start to get into mischief. She explored the caves that littered the beach, and went on up the cliff that the star siblings loved so much.
She swiftly learned the cliff top was out of bounds when unsupervised.
That was alright, there was plenty other places to be, and she found a great game in leaping from rock to rock along the beach shore. It would be here she would be playing when Terrae followed the paw prints she had left behind. She was hiding on the surface of a large rock when he came into view, and her little butt wiggled as he came closer and closer – until at last he was within range for her to leap out and tackle his feet.
Lifting his gaze ahead, he could see that her paw-prints led to a rocky area on the beach. The sight gripped him with worry, making him increase his speed. What if she hurt herself? Slipped from the rocks or scarred herself on the sharp edges? Tasting the air, her parents didn't seem to be with her, though thankfully the healer had arrived, or else something dangerous would have happened to her.
Reaching the rocky area, his eyes - almost frantically - searched for his niece, unaware of the girl hiding upon the large stone beside him. Startling him, a silver shape swiftly leaped from above and tackled his earthen paws. For a brief moment he had been utterly terrified, though as he studied the child, who carried familiar blue markings, he realised it was the girl he had been looking for all along. His tense body eased and he looked down on the pup, a warm smile forming on his features. "You got me, little one," he admitted with a chuckle. "Why, you're sneakier than me!" |
Ray's attack was a huge success, her Uncle didn't even seem to see her coming! She tackled his legs, through of course the much, much larger wolf didn't so much as wobble from the effect of her tiny body. No matter, she wrapped herself about his paws once, then draped her body over both his front paws. Effectively trapping him (or so a puppy mind believed). She looked up at him, seeing mostly muzzle with her bright blue eyes. All the same, she giggled, hugging his paw with a tiny one of her own.
“Admit it.” she said, her tone full of a puppy's boosting. “I scared you good didn't I!” she said cheerfully. She unwound herself from his paws then, to stand beside his left one. She stood up on two legs, resting her front paws on foreleg, so she could reach up and kiss his cheek. “Can I ride on your back Uncle?” she wanted to know. The pup might not have spent much time with Terrae before now, but she clearly bold and fearless.
Oh, what was this? Was she trying to trap him? Block his path? Well, he didn't mind at all. In fact, he was quite mesmerised in the pup's movements, his bronze gaze never leaving her large form. She seemed full of energy and zest, and he admired those youthful bones they were free of ageing pain. Children were so amusing to watch! He just wanted to giggle and squeal...though that would be very un-Terrae-like so he controlled those impulses. A goofy grin remained plastered on his features, however. "Oh I was very scared," he admitted with a playful sigh, words full of expression. As she tried to reach his cheek, he momentarily lowered his crown so she could lay a kiss on his fur, and he would nuzzle into her own cheek. Though this child wasn't his own, it felt like she was, and he would treat her like his own.
Her inquiry brought him back to reality, and he looked down into her blue eyes. They were just like her father's, he instantly noticed. "Sure, hop on," he answered cheerfully, bending his limbs and lowering his torso so she could climb on with ease. It was so exciting! His very first piggyback ride! Once she was safely secure and comfortable upon his back (and he'd give her plenty of time to do so) he carefully rose to his full height, adjusting to the extra weight. "Where to, adventurer?" |
Her nod was serious, and she even managed to look a little sad as he admitted how afraid he was. Of course, what else could she expect? She was a subtle, and striking creature, able to strike fear into the heart of her foes. She was a mud monster, and a princess, and utterly fearless. Who wouldn't be afraid at the sight of her?
She giggled at her own thoughts, even as she rubbed against her uncle's cheek, kissing his dark fur before landing on all fours again. She wasn't entirely vain enough to believe everything that crossed her mind, but it was fun to imagine.
She squealed in delight when Terrae lowered his bulk to the ground and she quickly scrambled on before he could change his mind. She settled between his shoulder blades, her head resting against his crown as she balanced herself. “To the exploration!' she cried, as he called her an adventurer. It wasn't exactly a destination, but she held on tight and waved a paw forward, waiting for him to walk.
She was quick and eager to get on, which was a joy for the uncle, though he only prayed she would do so gently. A weight suddenly pressed on his skull, and it took him a moment to realise that it was her own head! If only he could see them from another's perspective; why, they had to look so adorable together! Slowly rising to his full height, careful not to wobble and frighten the girl, he chuckled, "Hang on tight!" before stepping away from the rocky area. Gradually his speed increased from a wary lumber to a confident trot when he adjusted to the new experience, occasionally running a few metres to spice up their journey. He'd smile and laugh, letting his tongue loll as all his worries faded away. At first he had no idea where to go, for it had to be suitable for exploration. Eventually he recalled seeing a large alcove tucked away at the base of the cliffs. It was a secluded area that he hadn't explored yet either, bound to be interesting if she took a liking to secret hideaways. If not, then there were the cliffs they could venture upon; a bit dangerous though if he kept a watchful eye out for her then perhaps it wouldn't be so dreadful. Momentarily, as the cliffs came into view, he asked, "Cliffs or secret hideaway?" Or maybe both? If she was up for it of course. There was plenty to explore in both. |
Terrae's back wasn't as broad as her fathers, but it was still spacious enough for the young pup. She gripped tightly with her back paws, partially in a sitting position so she could point her paws in whatever direction she desired. Terrae would return to his full height in that moment and she squeaked as she scrambled to hold on with her front paws too. She was already giggling freely as she rearranged herself on his back.
He started walking and her giggle only increased at the rolling motion of his movements. He would ask her then if she wanted cliffs or secret hideaway, and she couldn't decide! Something secret, or the cliffs? She didn't speak for a moment, trying to decide which would be more fun. “Secret!” she finally decided. After all, she already knew where the cliffs where.
He felt a few chuckles rise in his chest, though he suppressed them to ensure he didn't wobble about too much and flung his niece off his back. That wouldn't end too good. Though he was a healer, his brother was bound to demand an explanation. She was his responsibility now, and he had to look after her like she was his daughter. That didn't meant they couldn't have fun. Why, the more fun, the better! He didn't want to be that one, boring uncle with his nose in his plants that nobody wanted to hang with. He was going to be a cool uncle.
The secret hideaway it was! He already knew she was going to choose it. Pups were always fascinated in secrets. "Okaaaaaay!" he hollered with a broad grin, picking up his pace to a swift dash whilst remaining smooth along his back. The cliffs grew closer and closer, looming above them like great mountains. Running alongside the cliff-face, his eyes searched for the narrow opening that led to the cove. It was somewhere around here...ahah! He ducked through the arch-like entrance, tucked snugly into the rock. He pushed through the dangling lichen that draped itself over the entrance and emerged into the reasonably large cove. Sunlight filtered through the ceiling and exotic plants blossomed from the stone walls while tiny creatures chirped in the background. Sometimes the tide would reach the cove and swirl around his ankles before retreating to the beach once more. A truly magical place it was. "This place is a secret place," he told her in a hushed whisper, a smile dancing on his lips. |