that tree came outta nowhere

Playing the role of father had been one of his most exciting and most exhausting jobs he'd ever taken on. But nothing could make Maverick regret even a single second of it! The tall dire wolf who had once been so nervous at the prospect of raising a band of puppies now reveled in every chance he got to make lasting memories with his little ones, whether it was in the adventures he took them on, the mischief he helped them find, or the rare times when important life lessons were imparted onto them. Today it seemed would be another day to share memories as the oversized sire wolf found himself walking amongst the dense foliage of Ashen's new home. He was still familiarizing himself with the lay of the land, putting his navigation skills to work as he learned every inch of land, tree, and water at the Empire's disposal. Passing by a cluster of snow-dusted saplings and growths, Mav heard the sounds of struggle coming from nearby. Instantly intrigued, he pushed forward through some brush with a rustle of bare branches to find his eldest child locked in mortal combat with... a cedar sapling.

Maverick stood to the side and watched for a moment with an ever growing grin spreading across his muzzle while Renegade tried to figure out a way to defeat his foe. A snicker pulled from the highly amused sire, followed by a chuckle and then a gentle laugh. Only once Ren had reached the threshold of frustration did Mav make his way over to his son, coming to flop back onto his haunches next to the pup while he studied the sturdy sapling. "Putting up a fight, is it?" he commented with another chuckle. His giant white paw lifted to bat at the sapling a few times, feeling the way its sturdy stem flexed and bowed with his touch, but never broke. It was indeed a worthy opponent for a pup fresh out of the den. Turning his teal gaze back down to his son, Mav leaned in closer and asked Ren, "Tell me what you've tried so far. Let's see if we can work the problem together."

"Maverick"