nothin' but a good time

Arella was lost. She thought she knew the lands well, but as she wandered, familiarity slowly changed into slight confusion, until she found herself totally lost and alone. Nearly a year old now, the ebony-furred girl knew she was able to explore and be on her own, but as the sun began to set below the horizon and cast eerie shadows all along the earth, she began to wonder if she was as ready as she felt. Fear crept in, gripping her heart and refusing to let go of its hold on her.

Darkness slowly fell. She was grateful her fur was so dark, and her paws so small, she was able to walk along rather quietly and hope nobody tried to surprise her. However, she found that her anxiety was largely quelled when the scent of another reached the youngster's twitching nostrils. Maybe she could make a friend! Then she wouldn't be quite so afraid to be alone out here. The landscape was unfamiliar, and she found herself walking rather slowly, unwilling to cut the pads of her paws on all the sharp and shiny objects she spotted. They were pretty, that was for sure, but looked alarmingly dangerous.

Hesitantly she bounded forward, her vibrant blue eyes searching desperately for the source of the scent. Something was off about it -- it was riddled with blood and dirt, but was clearly male. In the distance, she spotted him then, the silhouette of a male who looked about the same size as her. Maybe even smaller. He must be a pup then, right? A playful bark escaped her throat, tail wagging behind her with an alarming ferocity.