YOU'VE GOT TWO BLACK EYES FROM LOVING TOO HARD Soft humming announced his presence before anything else could. Then, it would be the cacophony of his oversized paws and unwieldy body crashing through the undergrowth. He wanted to see everything, and meet everyone. Papa had taken them on their first adventure not too long ago, but it wasn't enough. Not by a long shot. There had to be other wolves around here, papa was always talking about their great big family. All of these wolves that, if he ever needed it, would help him. That sounded awesome, and so the young firebird wanted to find them. He was eager to know what kind of family he had, and learn their names. See their faces. Of course, he had been warned away from those who didn't share his name. The lesser mortal creatures. There were a few inhabiting the pack, and his papa wasn't sure about them quite yet. He said they might be dangerous, or.. unsavoury. Whatever that meant. Regardless, the youngster wanted to meet them too. Even if he might get in trouble. Toddling towards a bright patch of sunlight that had broken through the vine choked canopy, the youngster continued to hum to himself. He flopped down in the warm ray of light, limbs sprawled out in every direction. A happy panting overtook him, already tuckered out from walking so far from the den. He'd already seen every inch of that place. Here, it was all new. Craning his neck, he stared at the trees high above. How did anything ever get that tall? Would he get that tall? That would be cool. Thumping his forepaws against the ground, he fixed his gaze on something else. Bright cerulean optics zeroed in on a patch of moss growing on the trunk of a tree. It looked pretty soft. He liked how dark the green colour of it was. "speech" JUST ANOTHER L.A. DEVOTEE

Serene Validis

OOC: Technically Serene has already met him in a thread with Agria, but this will be a more formal meeting.

Serene had been out looking for things to decorate her den with. Still being new to the area, her new home was lacking a personal touch. At the moment, it was just a whole dug out in the ground, with some shelves dug into the wall, not holding anything. Maybe she was going to find some pretty flowers to line the shelves, or some herbs to plant outside in her garden she intended to build, maybe she would be lucky enough to track down some prey and add a pelt to the den floor. It didn't really matter if she returned home with something or not, she actually just wanted to get out and explore. As of this moment, she only really knew Malleus, and had only met Agria and her two sons. Everyone else were complete strangers, but she was looking to rectify that. So on her outing, she kept her eyes up and searching while her ears stayed perked and turning, looking for anything of interest and listening in for voices. That's when she heard it; the odd humming.

It wasn't like a bird, where their tune was often repetitive and crisp, but rather more like a throaty, closed mouth hum. It was another wolf! Her tail began to wag as she turned course to encounter this new face, when a faintly familiar scent hit her nose. She couldn't quite place where she had smelt this before, until she saw him. Lovely russet brown hues slashed with white markings, sprawled out in a warm patch of sunshine, was one of the young pups she had met not too long ago. A smile spread across her lips, pups were one of her most favorite things in this world; they represented innocence and youth, they gave hope and love like it grew on trees, so much joy radiated off of them it was infectious. So she couldn't help but walk forward, slowly, so she would not scare him off. "Enjoying the sun, are we?"

"Speech"

YOU'VE GOT TWO BLACK EYES FROM LOVING TOO HARD From somewhere behind him, someone spoke. "Enjoying the sun, are we?" The youngster squeaked in surprise, rolling from tummy, to side, to paws. Whirling awkwardly on his unfamiliar feet, he stared up at whoever had snuck up on him. Wait a second.. he knew this lady. Her weird sunshine markings were familiar. "I was jus'.. layin'... in the sunshine." he said defensively, knowing full well he was probably a little further from the den than he had ought to be in the middle of the day. "What are you doin' here?" he demanded, sticking his nose up high and raising his little stubby tail. The goal was to intimidate her into not asking any more questions. She was gonna get him in trouble! Of course, being merely half her size and round as a basketball, he wasn't likely to succeed. Aquamarine gaze narrowed, hoping to mimic the angry look of his papa when he was in trouble. If he got it right, then she wouldn't tattle on him! She would run away scared! "speech" JUST ANOTHER L.A. DEVOTEE

Serene Validis

She wanted so badly to laugh at how the pup seemed to roll to his feet; literally. Young ones were so plump in their bellies, so they could have enough energy to grow as rapidly as they do, but it was still fun to watch them. She held back her laughter, and settled for a grin, listening to him becoming so defensive. Serene was confused about it at first, not understanding why he would be so wary of her. But maybe it was because she was still considered a stranger? But that certainly wouldn't do! So she shrugged, and wandered into the sunshine herself, sighing happily as the warmth seeped into her skin. The fawn woman would then plop down in the grass with a huff, rolling onto her back and letting her eyes flutter shut so she may enjoy. "I'm doing the same as you, out exploring." She couldn't be certain of course, but she figured that would be the only reason why a young pup like him would be out here alone. Probably without his mother or father knowing... but Serene was here now, so maybe she could just watch and make sure he's okay at least.

Besides, Serene was a big advocate of getting pups out of the den, letting them build up stamina and strength early on so they could continue to grow on the right path. Plus she adored these boys, and would love to spend more and more time with them. She would open an eye to the young male, just to check on him, before closing it once more and rubbing her back into the ground to get better settled. "I'm guessing your parents don't know you're here... but it's just so nice out not to be here." She was trying to hint that she wasn't going to tell, without actually having to say it. That would imply that she supported lying, which she doesn't. But she wanted to gain his trust and she wanted to hang out with someone.

"Speech"

YOU'VE GOT TWO BLACK EYES FROM LOVING TOO HARD The young Abraxas watched the larger woman stroll lackadaisically into the sunlight where he had just been lounging. Hey! Get your own spot! She flopped lazily into the sunbeam, letting out a huff. She started to fall asleep, just as anyone would in the warm sun. No! Not in his spot! "I'm doing the same as you, out exploring." she said, reminding him exactly why he was so nervous to see her. She was going to tattle! He lumbered over to where she was lounging, frowning at her oblivious features. Rather than be intimidated into skittering off in shame, she simply rolled onto her back and settled herself. He needed to work on his menacing glare. "I'm guessing your parents don't know you're here... but it's just so nice out not to be here." she said, eyes still closed. Tail raised warily, the young boy stared her down some more. He was confused, and didn't understand what was going on. Was.. she trying to say she wouldn't tattle? Adults didn't make any sense. "I already see'd all the stuff at the den! Wanna see more." he said in his own defense. Of course he knew he should be closer to home, but home was boring! Out here was way better! There was lots to look at, and other wolves to meet. Even if they were what papa called mortals, and not his family. "speech" JUST ANOTHER L.A. DEVOTEE

Serene Validis I already see'd all the stuff at the den! Wanna see more! Well, Serene could understand that at least. She could remember the days where she too wanted to venture outside the den, the fawn woman couldn't have been much older than Meph. Yet in her case, her mother was more than happy to take her out beyond the confines of their den. Where was Agria? Amber eyes glanced around the surrounding wood, not seeing the brazen colors of the pups mother and sighed. She could walk him back now and know he was safe, or she could let him spend just a few more minutes out in freedom under her watchful eye. The choice seemed simple enough. "Well then, what shall we go see young adventurer?" She offered with a playful grin as her amber eyes danced with joy. "Speech" <

The strange lady looked around for something. What was she looking for? Pouting, more to himself than anything else, the young boy also peered about. Was she making sure the coast was clear? Why hadn't he thought of that? Tail held high over his hocks, the young god scrutinized his surroundings. There was no one there. At least not anymore. Now, he gazed warily up at this strange lady. Her soft sigh caught him off guard, and he wondered why she was disappointed. Sighs always meant disappointment. Mama sighed a lot at them, more than papa did. "Well then, what shall we go see young adventurer?" she questioned with a grin. Oh boy! Wriggling with glee, the youngster peered around. Where would they go? "Creek!" he cried. It was quite the walk, all things considered. However, he was determined! No one was going to tell him otherwise! (Except mama and papa, they could tell him otherwise) "Creek! Creek!" he yipped as he charged headlong in the direction he thought it might be. Granted, he wasn't actually sure where the creek was. It was almost certain that he was headed in the wrong direction. "Speech" <

Serene Validis The enthusiasm the young pup showed was adorable, causing a warmth to spread across the woman's chest as she watched him bound off in search of the creek. Perhaps it was wrong of Serene to grant him the journey he so desired, but who else was to know? She planned on returning the pup soon after anyway, so no harm would be done, right? Shaking her blonde locks, she quickly padded off after the pup, calling out to him; "Meph! You're going the wrong way!" She could hardly suppress the laughter in her voice, his excitement to go exploring lead him blindly into the brush, like any pup would. But unaccompanied such actions could lead to danger, which had Serene's amber orbs lock solely on the rustic hued scruff of the boy's neck. He would not be leaving her sight until he was returned home safely, that was for sure. Once she would catch up to him, Serene would cock her head to the side, begging him to follow her on the right path towards the creek. "Come young Abraxas, the mystical creek and all it's wonders awaits your arrival." She would then attempt to lead Meph towards the creek, keeping her long strides short in hopes to let the pup keep up with her. It was when she realized what she was doing that Serene had to pauses and think. Bending to the will of this pup was so natural to her, as if he was her own, even to the point where entertaining him didn't feel like a chore, but more like a blessing. That familiar pang of longing hit her once more, the one where she craved the days she too would be blessed with a family. But she quickly shook her head of such thoughts. Her attention was not on the unforeseeable future, but rather on the present. And that meant all her attention was on Meph. "Speech" <