Puppy Hurricane

It was weird to be leaving home again, even if it was only for a little while. Last time they'd all left home... well. Suffice to say, he'd be keeping a close eye on his dad while they were out here. His siblings too, but he wasn't quite as worried about them.. right now. The blond prince ambled along beside the cart with his little cousins inside, and left Peabody in there while the caravan headed south. The little pangolin didn't move as fast over long distances, and he didn't want to lose him. Stratum pestered his siblings and watched the clouds as he walked. It wasn't so bad, all things considered. When they all came to a stop, he was mostly surprised to find that they hadn't travelled very far for this trip. At least, not as far as the last trip. Maybe it just felt longer last time cause they were all in such bad spirits. His father announced their arrival with a booming howl, and already the young male was wandering away. Before he ran off, he butted his shoulder up against the floor of the cart so Peabody the pangolin could clamber down onto his shoulders and slip safely onto the ground. If they would be waiting for someone to come get them, he would look around for a while.

Thick limbs carried him off from the rest of the group, head lowered to sniff about the undergrowth and search for cool rocks. When the telltale thrum of paws approached quietly from up ahead, he gave up on his idle hunting for distraction. By the time he'd started moving away from the fringes of the border, a greyscale dame had appeared from the lush undergrowth with a smile. Mercury gaze drifted between her and his father, searching for a resemblance. Were they related? He couldn't quite remember what he'd said about how they were tied, whether blood or politics. He'd ask again later. When the mysterious Empress invited them across the border and closer to the lake, he was quick to move. Trundling along with a loose limbed gait and a quiet, tuneless hum.

There are already a host of pups playing by the lake, vibrating with energy and laughter. Instinctively, the youth balked. He waited for one of his more confident siblings to get in there. Sure, they were way littler than him. But still. He didn't want to be the first one there. In comes Andy to save him from being all alone with the little kids, and Crux follows. He can hear Kite coming at her own pace, and checks over his shoulder to make sure she's alright. Vanta and Dread will probably follow quickly, and Dread is trustworthy enough to take care of their other blind sister. The golden lad plods up to his lavender hued sister and plops down on his haunches beside her, waiting for the lull in the conversation where he can add his own voice to the chorus of names and games. And there it is, right after the little silver and champagne boy- Renegade.

"Uh, I'm Stratum. I like making stuff.." he offers hesitantly, looking around to see if anyone is staring at him. It doesn't look like anyone is judging, but there's.. so many of them. Everywhere. So many eyes looking at him, and he feels very exposed outside of the comfort of his caves with his little wooden tools and rocks.