the prince and the scavenger

While he could hear the light pawsteps that made their way over towards the bank, he wasn't interested in them. No, the fun splash and spray of brackish water against his face and chest was far more entertaining. It took the harsh, accusing tone of a fellow child over his shoulder to draw his attention away from his game. The dark furred Saxe boy paused, but didn't lift his front half up off the ground quite yet. His ears swiveled towards the source of the sound, trying to figure out where the other boy was standing. He knew the sounds of puppy voices, and he knew the muted scents they carried by now. There were all of his siblings to make sure he was well versed in those intricate details. He swung his dainty skull around in the direction it seemed like the other boy was standing, behind him and to the left.

"Splashing!" he crowed with delight, a delighted grin splitting his maw. Then he lurched to his paws and danced in a little quarter turn so he was better positioned to face the unfamiliar youngster. "Do you wanna splash, too?" lilting vocals escaped in reedy tones that expressed both delight and curiosity. He was dripping with muddy water from belly to chin, and he was having a great time of it. He idly flexed his toes in the mud, eliciting gross squelching sounds as he did that brought him immeasurable glee.

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