Tamsyn glanced back over her shoulder at the cluster of pups behind her to make sure everyone was still following along and not wandering off somewhere as pups were so prone to do. Luckily she had Kane at the rear helping to keep an eye on them as well so she was at least fairly confident that none of them would get away without them knowing about it. She had learned a long time ago though that pups were very clever and sneaky when they wanted to be, but that was half of the fun. "We're almost there!" she called back to them with a grin. She wasn't sure how far some of them had gone so far, but she knew that Artorias at least had followed the same sort of rules for his children that she and Resin had put in place for him and his siblings so she couldn't imagine that all of them had been out this way just yet. She hoped that seeing the opposite shore of Auster would be a fun trip and if they had already seen it then at least messing with some little crabs would probably be a good time at least.

They made it past the aspen forest and the beaver dammed rivers that crossed through it to the shore on the other side, revealing the tide pool littered beach. It was just past mid day now so they still had more than enough time to play and explore as much as they wanted. She lead them out to a wide stretch of sand that dipped here and there with tide pools and it looked like they had come at just the right time where the tide had just gone out and the pools were fresh with all matter of crustaceans and ocean creatures to see. "Have fun, lovelies! Just try not to get your paws or noses pinched by any crabs!" she chuckled and settled back on her haunches to watch, keeping an eye out for any rowdy pups trying to start trouble.

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

Elowen, as well as other pups of the Hallows, had been invited on an outing with their grandparents. Her bi-colored eyes were shining with delight. She’d never been this far beyond home, and she was eager to see where they would be going. Hot Mama had decided to accompany the girl and, hopefully, keep her out of trouble. She moved with excited energy, ears perked forward as her grandmother led the way to wherever they were going. She didn’t ask questions yet though, just excited to be part of this adventure with her family. In time, they reached their destination, and Elowen’s eyes widened with wonder. She heard her grandmother’s warning, but El was already on the move. She darted across the sand, her cardinal taking to the skies. The girl was heading for the water, the ebb and flow of the waves catching her attention. A squeal of delight passed her lips and she ran right into the water, shocked at how cool it felt. She didn’t stop there either… which might have been her mistake. Elowen snapped at the water playfully, but the moment the salt water touched her tongue she started spitting and making a face.“Ew gross! What the heck is wrong with this water!?” Hot Mama chuckled above her, circling as she amused herself with the pup’s antics. "Talk," 'Think.'

Talyssa was very much excited to accompany her Grandparents and some of her siblings and cousins to the opposite shoreline. She had never been, and it ended up putting the world into a fairly easy to understand prospective. When Grandma Tamsyn guided them through the Aspen Forest, her mind shifted back to the time she watched the beavers building their dam with her mother. Following the river out to the ocean seemed to be the easiest path. And when they finally did arrive, she was somewhat surprised at how different this beach look compared to their own.

As Grandma warned her and the other pups not to get pinched by the crabs, she watched her cousin Elowen race out to go play in the tide. From what she could tell, that part of this beach was the same as theirs. It was the tide pools that caught her attention. With a final nod of acknowledgement to their guardians of the afternoon, Talyssa trailed her way to one of the seemingly more isolated tide pools, engulfed by her curiosity as to what she might find. When she got near the edge, she automatically lowered herself to her chest to get a better view ... only to hear the surprised disgust from her cousin. The older girl couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, you don't want to let the ocean water into your mouth." Because obviously, it was pretty nasty.

Returning her attention back to the tiny habitats, honestly, she was quite impressed. There were small clusters of corals that added a visually pleasing pop of color. On the bottom, there appeared to be fractured pieces of seashells mixed in with the sand and pebbles. Little fish darted around in sporadic movement- obviously not thrilled about being confided to the pool. One of the little crabs was cruising around, maybe looking for food? She didn't know. Perhaps if she stuck around long enough, she could figure it out.

Caladia moves with the gaggle of pups, following after their grandmother. An adventure had been promised and the girl definitely does not to miss out on it. As they move, the pup hangs toward the back of the group, keeping a quiet eye on her siblings while staying near her grandfather. They arrive at the cove without too much incident and her grandmother warns them about getting pinched to which gives a small nod. Elowen is the first to rush forward toward the lapping waves and she happily bites the water. A sympathetic wince crosses the girl’s features at the sound of disgust that accompanies the action as she remembers, all too well, her first taste of ocean water.

Callie skirts several of the scuttling crabs, showing her teeth to them when they posture, until she reaches a shallow tide pool and nods to her cousin’s remake about not wanting ocean water in your mouth. Standing at the edge of the pool, the girl carefully dips a toe in, feeling the coolness of the water and watching the ripples that are cast out from her action. Tail lazily wags behind her as she casts her mismatched around, thinking of what to do while looking for someone to impress. Her gaze lands on her huge grandfather and she happily shouts, “Grandpa! Grandpa! Watch me!” Paws dance as waits for him to turn to her.

Waiting until she has his full attention, the pup looks at the pool and begins to walking backward, her little body winding up for what is to come. Caladia stops when she several paces away, her focus still on the shallow pool ahead of her. Muscles twitch in anticipation, as she stands still, knees slightly bent, eyes unwavering. With a mighty shout, the girl releases all the stored energy in her muscles, rocketing forward with a mighty burst of speed. One, two, three… legs bend as she begins the jump, coiling up until she pushes off, sending her vaulting up into the air.

Small body flies up and outward, aiming for the pool while folding into herself. The moment of impact is mighty as Caladia’s small body displaces the water in the pool, sending it up and out toward any nearby wolves. The tide pool isn’t deep and it barely covers her whole body but the huge splash is exactly what she had hoped for. Uncurling, she pops up out of the water with a giant smile on her lips, soaked fur sticking out at odd angles as she looks her grandfather and loudly asks, “Wasn’t that cool?! Want me to do it again?” Tail wags, splashing water every which way. This is so much fun!


"Caladia Carpathius"

Overwhelmed by the various terrains they traveled through, Bramble kept toward the back of the group. Always slightly in front of their grandpa so that she wouldn't get lost, she could at least walk a little slower so as to take it all in. Her teal eyes were wide with wonder as her slightly agape mouth let out quiet gasps from time to time. As much as she wanted to stop at the dam to inspect the curious buck-toothed creatures, Bramble was too interested to know where her grandma was taking them. It seemed as if all the pups that currently lived within the castle had come along or maybe almost all of them. She honestly couldn't keep up with who was a cousin, let alone her own sisters and brothers.

Maybe this would be her opportunity to make some friends! Looking from pup to pup as they grew closer to the crab-filled cove, Bramble wondered who would want to be her friend. Being family was a start, but it was another thing to actually be friends! Usually boisterous or quite loud, the girl was being quiet for now as Tamsyn finally stopped their trek at the top of a dune. Looking down at the wide expanse of tide pools, a jolt of excitement rushed through her. This place was so cool!

Feeling the rush of a salty breeze on her face, Bramle rushed down after her siblings and cousins to scout the area. Skirting around the snipping crabs that eyed her menacingly, she headed straight for a cluster of smaller pools that were rather shallow. Standing at the edge, she peered in with her teal eyes and lowered her nose until it skimmed the surface of the cool ocean water. "If those are crabs, what are those?" The pup asks as she points a paw to the five or six-legged colorful seastars that clung to the rocky surfaces of the shallow pools.

Bramble Carpathius

Towards the beginning of the trip Kipling had gamely ran towards the front of the group but that would only last so long.  They left the hallows turf and all manner of new sights and smells came into play.  The boy started to fall farther back in the lineup of pups as he’d stop to move aside a few strides and scent at a new smell here or there.

If a child needed an eye kept on him, Kip was probably in the running.  Everything was interesting and Kip wasn’t one to worry about ‘what if’s’ as far as possible threats.  Still, he wanted to see where they were going and to spend time with grammy Tammy also.  Once they finally made it the grey-hued pup looked around wide-eyed.  

Having been spending a good bit of time trying to learn how to make traps for fishing the boy had figured out a ways back about salt water and was about to make a comment at Elowen when he spotted Caladia showing off.  The idea of splashing her also came to mind but everywhere he looked there were amazing things to see.  Indecision in where to go held the boy in place for a few moments but strange movement finally drew Kipling's attention.

Kip took his time walking along the rocky ground, eyeing a crab that was giving him an eye in return but finally he got to the animal of interest. “Grammy!  Hey, Grammy! What’s this thing?  Do you eat them?” If this was a creature you hunt it was something even he could catch!  On the ground, crawling along at a hurried pace was a small octopus.  The hurried pace wasn’t really all that fast but it sure was trying.  “It looks super funny!  Moves funny too!”

Was the strange small animal upset at being called funny? It suddenly raised up, showing off four tentacles angrily at the boy before it went back to hauling itself along.

"Kipling Carpathius"

It was hot. The sun beat down from overhead, making the obsidian child feel as though she was roasting in the fireplace back at the castle. As black as black could be, the sunlight soaked into her already thick coat until Dusk felt like she was going to burst into flames. The girl was about to bring up her lack of comfort just as they arrived at the tidepools. The inkblots lips set in a hard line and, without a word to anyone, she moved towards the nearest pool and went in head first. The cool liquid assuaged some of the heat and Dusk felt instant relief. Much needed relief.

When her head popped back above the surface, ears went out to the sides. She'd learned to swim from her aunt Bowen, so she wasn't at risk of drowning. She was still at risk of burning alive though, so when she pulled her dripping frame from the pool, the girl made a beeline for the shade of a huge boulder. Using her paws, she dug a nice sized hole in the sand beneath it and flopped within, the cooler sand beneath feeling good on her warm belly. From her place, she watched her siblings and cousins cavort and romp. She was content to stay in the shade forever.

"Carpathius Kids"

Thorn wasn’t going anywhere without his sword.  This wooden sword was another upgraded version, each one slowly getting a bit more solidly built.  The wooden handle was clasped tight in his jaw as he followed along with the group.  Thorn remembered well his trip to the damn with Sota and the fun time exploring the area for the beavers.  Today wasn’t beaver day though and he stayed near the front of the line, keeping near his grandmother, tail switching back and forth at getting to spend time with her.  Thorn had considered taking paper instead of a sword today so that he might make a map of this new area but he could do that another time, after a first fun exploration and play.  Who knew when a sword would be needed anyway?  It had to go everywhere with him!

When they got to the beach Thorn’s gaze swept the area with excitement. “Thanks, gramma!  Thanks, Grampa!” The gratitude given came out a bit muffled as he wasn’t ready to put down the sword quite yet.  Thorn grinned at the grandparents for a moment before he charged forward to skid to a stop near Taly and the pool she’d found.  Sitting down he lowered his neck to look at the tiny fish, laying the sword down finally. The sword had been in his mouth a long time without dropping it, the boy took a moment to open his mouth wide, stretching out the jaw muscles that had grown tense with all the time gripping his weapon.

“Know what Taly? Those little fish are probably babies.  Some fish have babies closer to shore to keep em safer but it got caught in the pool.” Thorn looked from the pool to the ground he sat on, “the ground here is a lot rougher than our beach is.  Lot more rocks.”  On the other hand, the castle beachside didn’t have all the tide pools this place did.

His eyes flicked about the different pups that were present and all they were up to.  While Thorn wanted to explore the tide pools he was also thinking about going swimming to see if the water was also different here than at home.  “Hey, Tal, you ever go swimming at home?” Of course, he wanted to look at more tide pools also but he’d do that after a swim with someone.  

"Thorn Carpathius"

It felt like only yesterday Kane had been walking these very paths across Auster with his own pups no bigger than the younglings he and Tamsyn were herding eastward today. It was a strange thought to consider that those pups of his were now yearlings, soon to be full adults. My, how the time had flown... But these little ones! There was almost a dozen of the energetic little fuzzballs and they made the elder dire wolf feel young again! With permission from his stepsons, Kane and Tamsyn had escorted the pups out on a field trip to explore eastern Auster, likely the farthest any of them had been from the safe stone walls of their castle home. He still remembered his trio's excitement the first time they got to experience the outside world and was eagerly looking forward to seeing that same enthusiasm in this new generation too.

The trek east wasn't terribly long, and the group drew closer to the coves of the eastern shore just after noon. Kane had brought up the rear of their little puppy pack, keeping an eye on the rambunctious pups to make sure none of them ran off—that three-legged one especially. Who knew that losing a leg actually made you faster! The giant wolf plodded along with little Bramble close by him. He was happy to keep the demure girl company while Tamsyn herded the rest of the bunch up front, and occasionally the dire wolf would give his little granddaughter a big, toothy, saber-filled smile. When they arrived at the cove, Tam laid the ground rules for them, then set the pups loose to play and explore. Kane bellowed a hearty laugh when all nine of the little rugrats took off in different directions, his gaze moving from Dusk who looked like she was trying to drown herself to Caladia who was shouting out for his attention.

"I'm watching you, sweetie! Don't you worry about that!" Kane called back to her while he settled into a relaxed sit on the warm sands. And watch he did, keeping his eyes on the energetic young lass while she wound up, then bounded forward to go diving into one of the tide pools, sending seawater and froth all over. Kane laughed and clapped his giant paws together, applauding Callie's bravery and athleticism. Positive reinforcement was highly beneficial to a young pup's development, after all. She asked if he wanted to watch her do it again, and Kane nodded his head so vigorously it nearly shook the feathers tied up in his fur loose. "You bet I do! There's another good sized pool right over there!" he said, pointing out another nearby tide pool for her to practice her diving in. By the end of today, he was sure all of these kids would be knackered, and their parents would be ever grateful for wearing out their hyperactive children. But what greater joy could there be as a grandparent than getting to spoil your grandkids rotten!

"Kaneonuskatew"

As his mate, Tamsyn may enter his threads not marked as Private.
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