Long legs would carry the boy lazily to his favorite place in the forest. A little knoll surrounded by the tall red tress, it was peaceful, quite snow-covered, and not so well traveled. He found recently that he really did enjoy some time alone now and then. He loved his family, especially his litter mates and moms, but seclusion was where he could think the clearest. Though that didn't mean his thoughts were clear in any sense. He could just more easily hear himself think. The cold helped his focus, but answers still eluded him. Sometimes he wasn't even sure what the question was. He felt the need to do but he didn't know what. A rather drawn out sigh would leave his lips as he slid into the snow, his long legs causing trenches in the white powder. Multihued tail would flop around, disturbing more of the cold substance. He was more than a little bored, not quite old enough to really take his frustrations out of=n learning to hunt he felt quite useless. It wasn't any great wonder that he liked to wander away. ""

There was certainly a bit of an adjustment period to be expected and deserved. A lot had changed in the time Talvi had been away and whilst she had been back for a while now, the idea that home had changed so unexpectedly and unknowingly still unnerved her rather deeply. She had no qualms with Drashiel or Roman but this wasn't the home she'd left and to come back to it was still rather strange. She had her same position though at the very least and could submerge herself in duties for a distraction, they after all didn't really change much at all. Family had changed though too. When she had left, Athena and Vereux had happily been expecting children, when she returned she had four nephews, Vereux had gone and Amalia now took his place supporting Athena in raising the boys. Talvi kept an eye on them, would do what she could but for the most part she was somewhat clueless as to how to help. She was still adjusting to children to be honest, very glad that she herself wasn't a mother though her body had decided to remind her that physically she was ready to be one. That too had left her rather uncomfortable for a time, her heat fading now fortunately though it had taken far too long to do so. She found herself wandering through the red forest now. When Isardis' Glaciem had been at its largest and most spread out these trees had belonged to them, she'd explored them as a child and had taken up that habit again now, familiarising herself once more with the lands. She knew her way around them rather well again, though her walks continued simply for the sake of it. Patrols, general checks on the pack, hunting, she had plenty of reasons to carry on with it really. Her nephew would apparently be one of them now, her nose catching his scent before her eyes would spy his form. Bacchus she recalled. The boy had a rather distinctive appearance, one a human might have described as an unfinished colouring with that streaks and spots of white marring his fur. She would pause now, choosing to spend some time with him if he wished. It wasn't often she caught them alone like this and a chance to get to know them better, to put herself a little more ease around the children was a good opportunity. "Hello" She greeted, stepping forwards into view and moving over towards him. "Hiding from your brothers?" She hoped the four boys would keep close though it seemed it was a rather impossible challenge for the Armada family. How many of her aunts, uncles and siblings had scattered? Far too many.

He wouldn't be paying attention to his surroundings, nothing new for the young Armada pup. He had so much to learn about life, his own abilities, and what he needed to pay attention to. Playing with the snow in front of him quite listlessly, the sound of a voice causing him to look up curiously as he was approached by a family member. Bacchus was quite unsure of her name, but she looked very much akin to many of his relatives. Hi father, his brother, himself. She also knew he was one of many brothers so she obviously knew him. The tall pup would shift to look at her more easily, not finding himself willing to pick himself from the earth. "Hello," he would answer, his voice rather soft for his age. "I guess." He would answer, though that wasn't the whole reason for his solitude. "What are you doing?" he would ask curiously, ears perking slightly in interest. Was it anything he might be able to help with? Did she have a job for him? ""

Perhaps it was rather normal for pups to go through this stage that Bacchus found himself in now. Talvi had once been in a rather similar place at all despite the fact that her life had been rather different. Born on an island and then suddenly dragged to a pack with an army of children, some of which were siblings she hadn't even known about before. She certainly felt lost, struggling to keep up with her peers and in the end desperate to find a way to fit in had decided to try learn as much as she could. Apparently she had achieved that goal in the end, that time as a lost little pup seemed so long ago. A lot had happened and she had indeed grown up. Bacchus would enquire as to what she was doing now. It was only fair she supposed, she had asked the question to begin with. She had no trouble answering it however, there was little she was doing, certainly not now anyway given her choice to spend a little time with her nephew. "Nothing much" She responded. "Perhaps I can hide out here for a while with you?"

Talvi seemed rather pleasant, her presence not overbearing or authority like. Of course she was an adult, and that would demand a certain amount of respect from him, but she felt more like him.. or like one of his brothers to really be considered someone to worry about. She wouldn't be eager to tell him what to do, at least that was what he would assume. She did seem like she would be a good wolf to learn from. Though he would become obviously disappointed as she replied about her lack of activity. His ears would fall and he'd look away from her, disheartened that he would not be able to help her with anything. "Yeah you can stay here." His comment was soft as he put his head on his paws. Another sigh would leave him as he glanced at the woman once more, "What are you hiding from?" ""

Talvi sensed his disappointment though why he was suddenly disheartened she could only guess. Was it her perhaps? Did the boy not want her here after all and simply out of respect had accepted her request? The very idea of that certainly displeased her and therefore she wouldn't settle just yet. "Nothing really." She responded, she'd simply chosen to word her question similarly to the first, if he was here hiding could she join him? Perhaps not after all. "I just thought I would spend some time with you, though I can easily leave if you'd prefer." Though she wasn't really angry, her tone had changed every so slightly now, a little indignant, hurt by the thought that Bacchus didn't want her around.

He wouldn't really notice how confused she'd become or even the subtle change in her demeanor, but he could tell the difference in emotions that fell from her lips. She wasn't hiding from anything it seemed, why would she want to just be here then? He was nothing exciting certainly. She would also mention that if he wished it she would leave, but he wasn't sure that he wanted that either. "You can stay with me," he'd tell her, raising his head once more to look at her, "I'm tired of hiding though." His voice would grow more determined and his long legs would finally push beneath him to bring him to his full height before his cousin. "I want to do something." He'd finally confess, practically begging for her to take him to do something as he stared at her. ""

Though she had assumed that perhaps Bacchus didn't want her here, it seemed she was wrong. Once more those vivid red eyes cast their attention back to her as he informed her once more that she could stay. Her own icy gaze watched, still somewhat doubtful after the previous reaction she had witnessed though before she could say or do anything else he would rise and comment upon his apparent boredom. That explained it. She felt bad for a moment for assuming he hadn't wanted her here and her reaction to that mere thought though her mind was soon working on some plan to keep him occupied. He was a tall lad, not that Talvi had any idea what average really was. Even so she thought he was probably too young for many things currently, not that she really could be sure what was really age appropriate in the first place. A patrol though, they were almost always quiet and he could soon run back further into the territory if anything happened. "Come with me." She stated, tone lighter once more as she began to move, pausing only to look back and see if he was following.

For a few very long moments the woman would only watch as Bacchus made his way into the air. His gangly legs and massive paws finding their way under his thin frame. One day he would be a rather large brute, but for now his awkward proportions would only serve for amusement. What he hadn't expected was a command from her though, but he was quick to take it. Eager to do anything. With a swift nod he would find himself carried off in her direction, his tail wagging with excitement at the thought of having a task. The young Armada boy would take a place by her right hip, happy to let his Aunt Talvi lead the way to whatever job she would share with him. A large smile would play on his silvery lips as his eager eyes took her in. ""

He wouldn't need another prompt nor would he try to protest at all. Rather than leave him completely in the blue she would offer him an explanation as to what they would be doing, though she wasn't sure it really warranted the excitement he now showed. "I was planning on doing it later, though I do need to do a patrol of the lands." She clarified. "Some company might be nice and perhaps another pair of eyes and ears could be useful." They were of course rather dull typically though she wouldn't inform him of that fact, instead feed him with the idea that he could be of use on the little trip rather than a little shadow simply there to follow her around as she completed her task. The company though that one was certainly truthful, she had wanted to spend some time with the boy after all, this hadn't been her original plan but if it made him happy then it would certainly do just fine.

He would lope easily along beside her, eager to please even if he had no idea of what they would be doing. Though he wouldn't be left wondering for very long, Talvi would easily explain herself as they started, her voice making clear the task at hand. He was going to help her on a patrol! Bacchus' smile would grow, but he wouldn't say anything. Still unsure what he should be expecting he would stick close to the other wolfs form. He wouldn't get lost, he'd been all over the northern lands, but actually working would give him a nervousness in his belly. His eyes and ears were hers to use, not that he would be an incredibly amount of help surely. "What should I look for!" His voice would sound with obvious enthusiasm as long legs continued shuffling him forward. ""

Those little glances back would show her that he practically bounced along behind her, and his voice too certainly showed his enthusiasm for the task at hand. She would smile softly at his excited manner, still certain he expected far too much from this little job but happy at least to have brought him even a moment of joy and disturbed his boredom for now. She had never had to do a patrol until it had become part of her job description, no adilt had opted to take her along for the experience. She had certainly lacked role models in her youth, hopefully she could be a decent one for her nephews. "Anything out of the ordinary." She answered.

Anything was better than being bored and left with his thoughts in the snow, even a walk around the territory with his aunt would help. His bright eyes would take in the scenery like he'd never seen it before. Talvi would offer up her answer to him, nothing in particular just something that might not belong. He would nod in acceptance, trying not to rush forward and take the lead as he looked. He would keep his pace restrained as he looked more thoroughly around them. Ears would swivel eager;y as he took in any sounds out there. It was mostly silent, with an occasional bird that had kept itself in the North for the winter he would see nothing of note. Not that he would be discouraged, but he would still hope for some type of excitement. "What do you normally see?" He'd add as they continued, wondering if he'd spy any prey. ""

This already was perhaps the most enjoyable patrol she had been on in a while, not stuck in boredom or isolation as she went about the job but instead watching as Bacchus took the job seriously, looking around and listening carefully though all the while with a pleased expression showing on his face and in his step. Was it really this simple to entertain children? All this time she had worried about what to do with them and letting them tag along on a patrol seemed to make them so happy. Maybe she'd have to test it out later with one of the other boys, just to double check. Now should she be honest and admit what she usually saw? Nothing. No, she would try to make things a little more interesting for him, point out the things that she might be looking out for. "Sometimes nothing. Sometimes you can see the tracks of a herd, they come in handy for helping with hunts later, you might even be lucky enough catch a glimpse of a herd or some other type of prey." She informed him. "But there are intruders sometimes." Her voice took on a slightly more serious note now. "Some wolves have manners and wait, though you have to be careful, not all do."

He wouldn't focus on how she watched him, he was too intent on searching every inch of the border. Bacchus almost found himself putting his nose to the earth, but refrained from divulging so completely. Who knew how long such a fascination would hold for such a task, but it was likely that he would latch on to the habit. His attention would be divided between the trail and Talvi's informative words, it seemed that really the possibilities were endless. His attention would fous on her, evident in the way he came to slow down a bit in his travels. Mismatched ears would swivel and attach attention on her more serious tone. Be wary of intruders. He'd find her gaze, nodding in acceptance of her words as he let himself get long again. "When do I get to hunt?" He would then ask almost absentmindedly as they continued onward over the path. ""

Aunt and nephew would continue along in this manner, one educating the other as they travelled near the borders. Her own senses too were at work, though far less obvious in their actions than the nose of Bacchus almost touching the floor. Hopefully he was looking where he was going as well, the last thing she wanted was for the boy to pick a fight with a tree. He would look up though with another question for her to answer. Honestly she wasn't sure what was a typical age for them to start hunting. She couldn't recall when her first hunting sessions had begun now, nor whether she had started them early late or at a regular time. "That one is a question for your mothers." She responded. Surely Athena would want to be present to take them on their first hunt, whilst she had apparently brought Bacchus along to his first patrol it was slightly different she thought.

Paws would continue on their way even as the boy listened to Talvi's not so informative answer. Again she would disappoint him, but he wouldn't let her see it this time. He'd keep the question to himself and ask his mothers when he saw them next. Taking his eyes back off of her and placed back on his surroundings he'd continue on quietly. Really the boy just couldn't wait to grow up, being a pup didn't sit well with him and he longed to be able to do what the adults did. "Thanks for taking me with you," He'd add as his attentions strayed to the sudden appearance of a chipmunk not so far off. Ears would perk as his bright eyes found their mark. Not that he was wanting to hunt it, even for him it would only be a mouthful of food. ""

There was no use in telling the boy to be patient, that responsibilities would all come in time. Her own childhood had been rather quiet, settling into a pack was enough to do without adding on any important duties. Truthfully though it was a wonder she had made it though without similar questions really. Of course this time the boy's disappointment would be hidden, she wouldn't reminisce on such moments and simply continue along with the patrol. The sound of movement would catch her attention though as eyes settled upon the spot only a small chipmunk would be spotted, the little creature apparently curious by the movement of the wolves on the ground, scampering along the branch as it watched them. Talvi would soon lose interest in the animal, Bacchus aiding to that fact as he spoke once more. "You're welcome." She responded, a smile falling upon her features. She certainly hadn't anticipated any bonding with her nephews today, certainly not for it to go quite as well as this anyway. Apparently she was doing alright with them.