have a nose

Ever since Mother had allowed them to venture from the den, Levi had been unsure what to make of the world at large. Everything seemed too tall, big and looming, nothing at all like the safe and enclosed space of their home. Of course, he was young and curious, but instead of having stars in his eyes he felt...annoyed actually. Like it wasn't enough for him and didn't live up to his grand expectations. Perhaps it simply was because he hadn't yet roamed far from den itself, it was still in sight when Levi glanced over his shoulder. Perhaps it would have more fun if he pushed a little further, not too much as he'd get in trouble but...a little more wouldn't hurt, surely.

Ahead laid a swaying ocean of green, consisting of long strands that bent and twisted in the cold spring breeze. A shiver twisted its way down Levi's spine, causing his scruff spikes to tense and sharpen in retaliation. Being far too short to ever dream of being able to even glance over the top, it looked as though it stretched on forever. Like the rest of the world was coated in green, that other colours and hues were saved for wolves coats and nothing else. But he knew that wasn't the case, Mother told them stories sometimes, spoke of places she'd visited in far away lands. Levi didn't have much of an interest in seeking these places out, stories were enough for him at least. The same couldn't be said for his siblings. They were all so different, barely alike and yet family all the same. Important and good to play with. Just puppy things.

Pressing forward, Levi realised the ground was soft and squishy beneath his paws. What was this stuff? Testing his weight he raised and lowered each paw, smushing it into the ground as he realised it was wet, saturated after a long night of rain. For reasons, he didn't quite understand, Levi enjoyed being around water. Liked the feel of it against the dark of his fur and even spent a moment poking at a puddle to watch its surface ripple. Till he was distracted by something softly glowing in the foreground.

It was tall and thin, pointed at the edges and seemingly glowed even brighter as if anticipating his touch. Stopping short, Levi frowned. Mother and Father had made a point of telling them not to touch anything strange, that mushrooms and crystals were supposed to be avoided at all costs. He still wasn't exactly sure what they meant by that, or why he wasn't allowed to touch them but... He didn't move any closer, deciding to do as he was told as he didn't want to get in trouble over something so silly. Not when there was so much else to see and do.

Venturing a little further into the grass, but not too far, he soon found a stick. Long and knobbly, yet smooth as though something had sanded away all its roughness. Picking it up and settling it between his sabres, he crunched it in half with a satisfying snap. Then picked it up again and did it to the smaller pieces, till it was too ruined to do again. That was fun, moving on. Surely there was more to see out here, more than just mud and grass.

Or at least that was the plan. The sky darkened overhead, clouding over as rain rolled in. Tipping his head back, his teal eyes squinted against the rain droplets as they gently tapped against his tiny form. He didn't know why but...it felt sort of nice. Better than being too hot and stuffy, he decided. Maybe he would try splashing in the big water, if his parents allowed it of course.

Pausing, his fire tipped ears twitched at the sound of paws approaching. Small but still considerably larger and wider than his own. He turned, spines spiking as his teal eyes narrowed into thin slits. He was small but ready to fight, more than willing-but not able- to hold his own. Oh, it was just Bean, Father's companion and Mother's friend. Had he been following him this whole time? Levi made a face, his little venture didn't feel so important or special now. Not when he'd been accompanied the whole time. Now it was all ruined and boring, like it had been a waste of time.

Pouting, he snarled at Bean and shooed him off. Splashing him with a slap against the mud just to make sure he really backed off. Maybe he ought to head back to the den before he got too wet, drenched and soggy like washing forgotten in the rain. Giving the crystals one last glance, Levi turned and retraced his steps, made easy as pie thanks to all the mud.