well, it’d been a few weeks, and if those little scraps were anything like Spider had been at that age, they were probably itching to learn how to stab stuff. fair enough; stabbing stuff can be fun. and what’s the point of having a super cool, expertly trained warrior badass as a sibling if they can’t teach you a few tricks of the trade? rising early that morning, Spider sets out to prepare their lesson, gathering an armful of standard-issue daggers and setting them in a pile by the water. hopefully the sand will lesson the impact if anyone falls on their ass. oof. reclining on their haunches, Spider waits to see if any of their sweet baby angel siblings will show up. ugh, it’s disgusting how much they love those little guys. “alright kiddos, gather around if you wanna learn violence.”

"Araneae Fatalis"

Spider was hosting a training lesson, and their presence meant they were allowed on the beach. Excited to spend some time with their sibling (and to learn fighting) he was quick to arrive at the training area Spider had set up. His bear, Rook, behind him.


“I want to learn violence!” He cried out, as if afraid not belting it out would lose him the chance. He scrambled forward to gather around Spider, his eyes as big as saucers. “Will we actually get to touch the daggers?” He asked, the words tumbling out in excitement. At almost four weeks of age, everyone towered over the puppies. Spider was one of the few that was only bigger, and not huge, next to them.

Balrog's ears perked up at the call. Violence? He could get behind that. Bounding over with all the excitement his little legs could muster, he skidded to a stop in front of Spider, eyes wide with eagerness. The sight of the daggers made his heart race - finally, a chance to really learn! He puffed out his chest, trying to look as tough as possible, even if he was still just a pup. It wasn't long before his brother rolled in with his bear, and little Balrog was right there beside him.

"Me too, Spider! Teach me violence!" he declared, molten-dipped tail wagging furiously. "I want to be just like you.." He said almost at a whisper in his awe.

He looked down at the pile of daggers, already imagining all the cool moves he could learn. "Where do we start?!" he said eagerly, never taking his eyes off the blades.

"Balrog"

the beach is very much a point of interest for Jamie, who trots eagerly after her littermates as they approach the lesson. sand kicks up around her paws, spraying itchy little granules into the morning air. Jamie scoops up a pawful, sniffs at it - and promptly sneezes. screwing up her face, she shoots the sand a disdainful look and quickens her pace, eyeing the gathered blades eagerly. “Spider! Spi-der! can i have the biggest blade?” she bats her lashes, knowing Spider is weak to their siblings’ pleading. often, if Bas and Ig say ‘no,’ some puppy eyes are all it takes to cajole Spider into a ‘yes’ - a fact Jamie takes plenty of opportunities to abuse.

"Jamie"

Selene was weaving around the legs of one of the market guards trying her best to weasel her way inside to explore. But they weren't letting her go on her own. She needed one of the parents with her and Ignita mentioned something about a leash on her before she'd let her go in. But Cit had already visited! She wanted a turn!

Her attention was finally drawn away from the guard(much to their relief) as she saw her siblings enter the sandy ground of the soul sand cove! If they could go there she could too! She had missed Spider's call for violence but she figured it out as soon as she came within earshot and clambered over her bear brother Rook and reached out to tap Cit's ear playfully from her perch on Rook's shoulders.

"I want one! Is that the ocean?" She exclaimed as her pink eyes fell on the daggers nestled in the sparkly black sands of the cove and then on the rolling waves behind them. Didn't someone come over the ocean in one of her stories?

"Selene"

Iskandor, still a young pup but already holding that budding regal air about him, approached Spider with wide, bright eyes full of curiosity. His paws were still too big for his body, making his steps slightly awkward, though he tried to mimic the grace he admired in his elder sibling. He puffed out his little chest, trying to look important, as he stared at the pile of daggers by the water.

With a tilt of his head, he said, his voice higher-pitched but serious, "Violence? Is that... stabbing stuff? Father says it’s about protecting. You’ll teach us the right way, right?" He blinked up at Spider, a little hesitation in his eyes as if still unsure whether he was fully ready for whatever lesson was about to unfold. Still, the spark of excitement was undeniable. This boy, always questioning.

"Speech"