How Fast Time Flies

The pups were sound asleep, which meant Surreal could take a break and get some fresh air. She was doing just that, lounging out in the widened area of the ravine, watching the late autumnal flurries of snow drift through the foot wide opening above. This was a perfect den for healers and mothers with pups. No birds of prey would dare try to dive through the top of the ravine, as it was crisscrossed and gnarled with vines and blackberry stems. This widened area just outside the actual den itself was a perfect play area for youngsters, and the ravine was fifty feet in length, which meant plenty of time to catch a wandering pup before they got too far out. She knew exactly why her mother had immediately chosen this spot when she’d stumbled upon it, and made it her den. The many alcoves and chambers were a healers dream; room for patients, but with plenty of space to afford the healer his or her own privacy.

Surreal took in a deep breath of the crisp, snow scented air and let it out in a sigh. So far, neither pup had woken up; no whimpers signaled that they had noticed her absence. So she pulled herself to her paws and padded up into the den, deciding to take the time to see if she had missed any new openings or tunnels in the system when she’d explored. She passed through the alcoves, down into the crack that opened into the chamber she’d found. THe stone here, while still struck through with gold veins, was white instead of black marble. It lit the chamber in a very attractive fashion, and the large stone at the center, lit by a hole in the ceiling, giving it a natural spot light, made in interesting. The lack of scents except her own and that of her family said none had passed in here that were wolves. There were a few spots where small scavengers or pack rats had made their homes, or left the remains of their meals behind, but even those were old.

She circled the wall of the chamber, letting her side press into the stone, nose and eyes questing for any openings she might have missed. There were a few cracks, but none large enough even for a pup to squeeze through. Good. This room wouldn’t hold a hazard for children. She left the chamber, turning towards the continuation of the narrow hall. Oh, she hadn’t noticed that crack. Surreal padded toward it, poking her head inside, and found it was large enough for Regulus to fit with a little hunkering, but perfectly sized for a wolf of her own height. She quested deeper, and came out into a new cavern, another with white marble. It was smaller, perhaps only ten by ten feet, and mostly circular. She took in the details, noting that the ceiling had a large hole woven over with the roots of an older tree. A spring welled at the center, glittering under the light filtering through the tree roots. Surreal padded nearer, dipping her nose to the surface. The water was clear enough that she could clearly see the bottom. Upon tasting, she found it to taste sweet and crisp.

She looked around at the chamber a last time, before she heard the squeaks of her pups announcing that they were hungry. She turned and padded out, deciding to leave the exploration for a later date. Those two could get loud. She was wrapped around them in no time, leaning against the wall of the alcove. She hadn’t seen Korr lately. She’d have to track him down and see how he was doing. Her eyes turned to the wriggling bundles of squeaking joy at her belly. They were growing so fast. Soon enough, their eyes and ears would be open, and there would be no containing them in the alcove. A smile tweaked the side of her muzzle. The dark male she had an idea of a name for. Thunderhead. Thunder. “Tornach.” She decided. She wasn’t certain on a middle name for him yet. She caressed his head with her nose and nuzzled his sister. She’d have to think of a name for her, something that would meld well with Rose, as she was dead certain with the little albino pups rosy coloring, Rose was a must in this pups name.

She yawned, leaning her head against the wall. For now, she was content with having named her son.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think