There's a certain sort of elegance to the way a new day greets a fading night that Sonnet enjoyed admiring. On the mornings when she woke way too early, too early to really wander too far from the den, she would lay at the mouth with her chin upon her paws. Her warm orange eyes would be on the the range that expanded out and over the rolling hills. Ears would perk when the rooster would slip from the large barn doors and crow his morning song. Nose wiggling as the prairie breeze brought in scents of sheep and goat. A cluster of noises and scents bring the big picture together that she, quite simply, can't get enough of.

Waiting for the sun to rise over the towering mountains in the distance, she relaxes and allows herself to succumb to her surroundings. Slowing her breath, stilling her muscles, finding power in patience as she continues to wait. If she was patient enough, she would be able to witness rabbits hopping forth from their burrows to go scour for dandelions and marigolds in the orchard. Her position was perfect and her tawny and cream coat blended in perfectly to the background so that she was near invisible to the long eared animals.

Sonnet

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Life cooped up in their large family den was safe and comfortable, but was beginning to feel just a little bit crowded as she grew older. It was enough that it made her want to stretch her paws, venture off on her own. They were far too young to have that much freedom though, the watchful eyes of both their moms always on them - mother's gaze seemed especially unforgiving, noticing every time she tried to wander away just a little too far. As much as she longed to explore the world, she didn't exactly like getting chastised.

Creeping outside of the den, acutely aware of mother watching near the entrance, she slunk over to Sonnet and laid down beside her. Young Astaroth was still so awed by everything in the world, all the things she'd just begun to see. The way the sun just barely crept over the horizon, casting a pink-orange glow across the sky, was on its own a breathtaking sight. The pup gawked at it as she settled in quietly, though her attention was soon captured by the very sounds her sister was searching for.

The land was teeming with life, so much more than just the wolves that called The Range their home. The most obvious was the sound of birdsong, echoing from each end of the fields, and the constant chirping and buzzing of insects all around. A fat little beetle made its descent down by her paws, landing on a blade of grass. She studied the little thing, lifting a paw to swipe at it before she caught the scent of the rabbits that weren't far off.

The silence that settled over them, that Astaroth had invited herself into, was broken abruptly by her quiet words. "We'll be able to kill 'em on our own soon, y'know. Those rabbits," she gestured into the distance, noting the way their long ears peeked up over the grasses as they foraged around for breakfast. They hadn't done much more than hunt bugs and chase rodents through the fields, but she was eager to do even more now that she'd gotten a taste of it.

Sonnet was not one to balk at the arrival of her siblings. Rather, she barely cast a glance in Astaroth's direction as the pale girl came to settle in beside her. The warmth of her sister is comforting, the same sort of comfort when they fell asleep together at night. After a moment, Sonnet even scoots on her tummy to snuggle in a little closer, shoulder to shoulder, belly to belly, almost as if they were one wolf instead of two. Even if she was the smallest of the pups, she never felt small around them. They were all so nice to her, kind and playful, never too rough.

One of her ears turns to listen to Astaroth's voice as it breaks the tension of silence. A sigh leaves her as she nods begrudgingly. "Would be nice if we could hunt them now," Sonnet insists, her eyes still lingering on those too tall of ears that always seemed to be poking out over the tall grass. "Bugs and mice are fun, but something bigger would be a good challenge," she can feel her muscles tense, that natural instinct to run after a potential meal tingling her toes.

After another moment of watching them, Sonnet slowly lifts her head to peep over Asta's shoulders. Peering back into the darker den where mothers were watching carefully, Sonnet weighed the options of sneaking away. With just the two of them, surely they wouldn't get in trouble for wandering closer to the small grove of trees near the barn. As long as they stayed within eyesight... "Think we could go over and check them out at least?" Sonner questions, her voice a hushed whisper as she continues to act as if she's resting against her sister with half-closed eyes. Definitely not scheming anything troublesome.

"Sonnet"

Family was everything to her and more, even if the large pup felt she needed more space as she grew. That fact had been ingrained in her since she even knew who her family was. Her brothers and sisters would always be her closest friends, the ones she could trust most in life besides mommy and mother. Her own instinct was to press up closer to Sonnet, grateful for her sister's presence out here with her. Though the world was big and exciting, and she longed to scour every last inch of it, it was admittedly scary for a pup her age - as it would be for anyone. There was so much to see, so many unknowns..

"I agree," she replied simply, only a little bit sourly. There were rules for a reason and she didn't bother questioning what her parents told her. She trusted them. "A bigger challenge would be fun." Her own body seemed to react to the mere suggestion, like she was daydreaming. She felt a little preemptive adrenaline, felt herself salivating just a little, felt her limbs quiver just slightly in anticipation.

And then Sonnet suggested it first, going to check them out. Casting a glance into the den too, where their moms were and where their siblings were no doubt sleeping peaceful, Asta considered. If they strayed too far, they'd be stopped long before they got out of bounds, she was sure of that. Maybe they could test their boundaries though. They'd been told to stay in view at all times - they wouldn't go any farther, right?

Some of the grasses up ahead were really long though, and she knew they'd disappear from sight if they got into an area too dense. The possibility was tempting though and she nodded in agreement after a moment. She wouldn't pull away from her sister too quickly though, happy to spend a longer moment cuddling up with her. After a pause she'd make to get up, stretching out as casually as she could. Her tail gave a slow wag as she scanned up ahead, eager to see the rabbits up close. She just hoped they wouldn't scare them off - or worse, get called back too soon!

Sonnet could feel the agreement between herself and her sister. She had to try her hardest not to reveal what she was thinking on her face. That much, already, was difficult for the pup. Opinionated, heart on the sleeve, everything laid bare. Open, true, honest. A blessing and a curse. But she was trying! Trying for Asta so that they wouldn't get caught. Slowly, achingly slowly standing up, practically glued shoulder to shoulder as her tail mimicked her sister's. It didn't matter the height or size difference, even if Sonnet could almost stand beneath Asta, she still stuck close.

The sight of the tall grass was a bit intimidating. Even when the rabbits had hopped along to the taller patches, Sonnet felt that urge, the need to chase after them. But not yet, not now. They were just going to look... To hope with all their might that neither mama or mother would call them back into the den for wandering. They really would stay within sight. Promise!

Taking a step, inching forward, Sonnet has to stay tall to be able to see those long ears that pop up over the grasses. Their rustling was almost silent beneath their own paws scuffing the dirt. It was hard to hear over her own breath! She wanted to say something so badly, her jaw muscles tensing as her orange eyes flicker from the rabbits to Asta. Jittery, tense, Sonnet does her hardest to keep quiet, keep calm, and continue to creep forward so they can get a better look.

"Sonnet"

Her sister's presence was deeply comforting, even if the young girl didn't like to admit she ever felt anything other than brave, strong. The truth was that the world seemed too vast for her to even comprehend, and as she got a little older she was beginning to realize just how much she didn't know. Just how much there was too experience. She wanted it all- but she knew she couldn't do all of it alone. Her siblings would be her allies, wolves she could always depend upon. That was enough for now to give her the strength to break outside her comfort zone.

Asta's attention was easily captured by the tall grass, watching the way it shifted and swayed. Some was caused by the wind, some by bugs jumping from one blade of grass to another, though some of the movement was due to the rabbits foraging for food in the grass. Occasionally their ears would poke up, revealing their positions, only to disappear again as they bowed their heads down to eat.

Multicolored eyes trained on the sight up ahead, trying to follow the prey animals. Occasionally stealing a glance at her sister, she found it hard to resist diving right into the grasses and trying to chase one of them. Crouching down, watching... she wasn't sure how long passed before she couldn't help herself anymore. Her muscles were tense, twitching with anticipation, and when one of the bunnies got a bit closer she acted before she could stop herself. Lunging forward with all her strength, the pup went barrelling into the grass, sending the rabbits scattering.

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Sonnet feels the anticipation building between herself and her sister. She would follow in Asta's movements. Creeping forward, ever so slowly, until the moment presented itself. One bunny, not quite aware of the two pups stalking them, had gotten a little too close. The pup could smell the rabbit's pungent scent invading her nostrils. So close to victory!

Licking at her lips, Sonnet waits. Patient, painfully patient, she continues to edge forward. Right until she notices Asta dip down, crouching, and then suddenly bursting forward. Not wanting to be left behind, Sonnet burst forward too. A quick coil of her muscles before she shoots toward the bunnies. The one closest to them screams from fear, beady eyes wide as it takes off through the trees and grass. The rest of rabbits go running, fast as they can. Sonnet continues to give chase next to her sister, even letting out an excited yip as they rush through the grasses.

"Sonnet"

Everything happened too quickly for her to second-guess what she was doing. Something primal stirred within her, the need to chase, to overpower. Suddenly she was springing forward after one of the bunnies, reveling in the way it panicked and attempted to flee from her. Not far off she felt Sonnet rushing to join her, barely hesitating to spring forward when she noticed Asta had started moving.

The early morning sun continued to rise, the sky now more vibrant than before, a palette of brilliant pinks and oranges. Almost pretty enough to be distracting, if she wasn't so completely locked in.

The rabbits were fast, but she slowly gained some distance on the one she'd been targeting. A big push and she was practically nipping at its heel, the scent of the prey animal strong on her nose. Her muscles ache as she pushes forward, plowing aside dense patches of grass, brow furrowed hard as she scrunched it, trying to see as she ran, her mind hazy with adrenaline and grass- so much grass everywhere, taller than the rabbits, obscuring them and making it hard to see which direction they were going.

And then she stumbled, her paw catching on the roots of a sneaky vine, trailing sideways through the grasses. Astaroth let out a hiss of frustration as she fell, scraping the underside of her muzzle along the ground as she skidded to a hard, sudden halt. The rabbits were surely gone now- she didn't know if Sonnet would keep after them or slow alongside her.

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