From the view of the window along his parent's bedroom wall, Ioan noticed the fine morning mist sift through the blooming garden beneath the castle. His bright and fiery orange eyes peeked over the windowsill's ledge, wet nose pressed firmly against the cold glass, quickly fogging up the pane as he breathed out slowly. Clouds, from the east, rolled in quickly, a heavy indication that rain was indeed on its way and there would be no point attempting to go outside. Which, if anyone asked Ioan his opinion, he was totally fine with. He preferred the confines of Hearthstone compared to that of the dangers that lurked around outside's every corner. Much unlike his siblings, one would often find him lingering down the hallways or tucked away into his auntie Gwyn's library. That library is where he headed to today. Before his parents and siblings roused from slumber, Ioan slips out from the heavy double doors and pads quietly along the cool stone toward the dusty, but bright and comfortable library where Gwyn roomed. She often didn't mind him sneaking in during the early hours - especially if he brought her her favorite tea and snacks. Unfortunately, he didn't bring that today, but promised her he would at some point later in the morning when he felt hungry enough to traverse the stairs down to the kitchen. Instead, he heads to his favorite corner and his favorite thick, fluffy, velvet, fur lined pillow to sink into it and continue teaching himself how to read. So far, he had memorized the letters of this common tongue alphabet by looking at each one over and over again until Gwyn had told him he had it right. His next mission was to start figuring out each sound that they made and how it made up the words that he saw scribbled, written, typed, and drawn all over the old, musty pages that filled the books throughout her shelves. It didn't take long for the pup to become overwhelmed. His eyes squinted, nose scrunching, and huffs of frustration heaved from his chest and up through his lips. Even a quiet growl could be heard every so often until he slammed the book shut and hid his face beneath his paws. Why was this so stressful!! Reading seemed so easy! Talking was easy so why couldn't reading be just as easy! Auntie Gwyn said not every wolf could read, but if he wanted to learn as much as he could, it would be the best and fastest way to do so. The determination that lined his genetics wouldn't allow him to give up. With a groan, Ioan peeks out from under his paw at the closest book, giving it a strained and disgruntled look. wc: 458

code by bunni, gif by minimoss

As warmth blossomed over the land in the Borean spring Spriggan was practically sleeping out in the gardens now. Being able to wake up with the sunrise greeting the little garden on her back had little pink flowers blooming all over the lush moss. She didn’t even mind waking to small showers that only helped to encourage the growth there. Not that she enjoyed lingering in the wet for the whole day. Even now the clouds rolling in told her she would be drenched sooner rather than later. She knew that if she went in dripping wet too early in the day that her mother would likely scold her for getting water everywhere so the tiny living garden lifted herself from her curled position and made her way inside.

Usually she would make her way into the greenhouse she wanted to be present for family breakfast. The day was incredibly early and it wasn’t likely her mother or siblings had awoken yet, and if she could sneak into the castle maybe Bowen wouldn’t notice that she had slept out in the gardens that night. The castle was quiet so Spriggan tried to keep her pawsteps to the ornate rugs that decorated the stone floors. Making her way carefully up to the library. She wasn’t very good at reading, but aunt Gwyn was confident that she would be able to learn.

Now, or when it was raining at least, was as good a time as any to try and practice and study. Spriggan squeezed quietly through the door, not wanting to disturb her aunt if she was still sleeping, and found that she was not the only one with this idea. In the far corner was her little cousin Ioan, already pouring over a book. Though his facial features told her that he was having the same difficulties in learning to read that she had.

He huffed and growled in frustration and Spriggan was able to watch him slam the book shut as she entered the door. The tiny girl visibly cringed as he did so, her blue and lavender gaze instinctively looking to where their aunt might have been. Thankfully no one was there to scold any loud noises so Spriggan approached the younger boy curiously.

"Do you have trouble reading too?” Her question was soft, almost whispered as she approached his comfy reading nook. Her ears laid back in embarrassment, but she felt better knowing she wasn’t the only one that struggled with their reading lessons.

"Spriggan Carpathius"

wc:421
total: 879

Ioan had not heard Spriggan slip into the library over his outburst of emotion. Disgruntled at first, an open look of embarrassment filled his expression as she approached as light as a feather. Peering up at her with wide, orange eyes, he can't hide the downward crease of his lips. Had she witnessed his explosion of emotion? It was unlike Ioan to be so flustered. He tried so hard to be calm and collected, but sometimes, his feelings were just... too much for him. Sniffling quietly, he lifts his head and nods at Spriggan, trying to fight back the well of tears of being caught. "I've b-been trying r-really hard," he admits softly, looking away from her pretty lavender and blue gaze. "Every t-time I try, it's like my head starts h-hurting and then I get confused and feel so, so helpless and stupid." Ioan's brow furrows again, chin dipping toward his chest as he stares at his paws. Being so young, he had yet to grasp that nothing in life came easy. Practice and dedication would get him far in life, but for now? He only wanted to impress and show that he was capable. A defeated sigh exhales through his parted lips before he rolls his lips inward and forces himself to look up at Spriggan again. Courage was something he needed to try harder to have too. "Would you m-mind meditating with me?" Ioan asks, his voice nearly as soft as Spriggan's. Maybe she had some good meditating tactics? Or he could show her some that he had learned from his mother? "I think it m-might help my brain reset," he attempts a smile at her, but it doesn't reach his lips. Unsure if he's even doing the right thing, the pup hopes his cousin has some guidance. wc: 301 + 879 = 1180 / 1500

code by bunni, gif by minimoss

Spriggan barely registered that he seemed embarrassed that she had caught his private tantrum. She wasn’t about to pass judgment. He was even younger than she was, and how many times had she experienced the same emotions while beginning to learn? Even now she felt frustrated with how slowly she was learning how to read. He sniffled softly and the little girl offered her own soft smile. Was this what her brothers felt like when they looked at her? Protective and careful? She tried to dismiss the thought, she knew how that made her feel and she wouldn’t infantilize her cousin now.

He averted his large pumpkin eyes as he admitted to how hard he was trying. Spriggan knew the feeling, but didn’t interrupt him as he collected himself. His outburst was nothing that Spriggan hadn’t felt before herself, especially when it came to books. She much preferred being outside with her plants and sunlight. Sprig silently wondered if Ioan felt the same way. She didn’t press him as he looked down at his paws a sulked a little, she knew he would bounce back. He went on though, asking her if she would practice meditation with him. He needed a brain reset, and even if she couldn’t really offer him advice in his dilemma of learning she could certain;y help here.

He tried to smile at her and Spriggan accepted the effort and returned one of her own. "Of course I would.” She was no stranger to the practice, however little practice she herself got with her little impatient puppy brain. "Alright, close your eyes.” She told him as she did so herself. "Take in a deep breath.” Again she followed her own instruction as well. "Hold.” She paused softly and then, "Now slowly… release.” She finished as her breath gently slid from her nose.


"Spriggan Carpathius"

wc: 327
total: 1507

Ioan is grateful that Spriggan is willing to help. Her returning smile has his spirits uplifting a little and his brain forgetting the frustration he felt. Dropping his blanket a little more from his shoulders so that he could sit up straighter, the pup listens to her instructions.

Eyes close, ears and shoulders relax, his heart rate beginning to slow. Inhaling deeply through his nostrils, he allows Spriggan’s soft vocals to guide his meditation. Holding it at the top with his lungs for air, he waits until the burn sets in before exhaling slowly through his beige lips. They repeat this a few more times until he feels at ease. It was definitely helping!

Once the session is done, Ioan flutters his eyes open and gives Spriggan a wider smile. Even his tail thumps a few times against the fur rug. “Thank you, Spriggan. I think I can give reading another go,” he murmurs, ember orange eyes lingering on the tiny girl. “You can join if you’d like,” Ioan offers, smile still lingering as he turns back to his book.