Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck. It was time. It was time! The first time Rhyme and Samara had let her look after the pups on her own. Even though they were just kids, she couldn't help but feel her heart beating out of her chest. Would they like her? Would they think she was cool? Theory felt her mouth go completely dry. Any minute now they'd be dropping off the kids and heading on their way for the afternoon. Luckily, she did have some activities planned. Samara had helped her trouble shoot healing her lemur friend (who still hadn't given her a name) this past winter. It had given her some ideas for an afternoon of sweets and fun. Together they could harvest honey! Theory had a recent scrape she'd gotten on patrol - nothing serious - but it would be an opportunity to teach them just a little bit about healing. In her independent studies she'd learned that honey had some additional healing properties - and better yet, it was irresistibly tasty. It was the height of spring now and she could hear bees buzzing deep in the thicket. She'd taken the time to locate a few hives and had procured (with great care) some sizable chunks of honeycomb. What could possibly go wrong?

wc: 215

Haiku bound eagerly ahead of his parents as they let him loose to spend the day with their big alpha sister. The boy loved all of his siblings (that he knew of) and was eager to get some time away from mom and dad. The ball of energy surged forward where Theory was waiting on them, a huge grin on his maw and his ivory tipped tail wagging in excitement. Everything was new and wonderful and Haiku obviously loved life. He was blissfully unaware of the sorrows that befell his family before his birth, but the spring was here the day was beautiful and he was eager to spend the day with Theory.

Without hesitation the boy raced up towards his sister, he didn’t show any signs of slowing down. He wouldn’t either as he aimed to crash into her shoulder with an intense embrace. She’d been there since he was born, and would always be a wolf he felt comfort around. Haiku buried his features into Theo’s shoulder, his tail wagging a million times a minute as he held onto her for a long moment, a grin obvious on his features through her dark fur. He blinked up at her with his bright eyes, enthusiasm impossible to miss. He was excited.

wc:212
total: 427

Haiku hit one shoulder, and Ru hit the other. Separating from his brother and going in for the kill. His little body collided with the soft fur of the Alpha wolf, and his paws scrambled against her side. He hopped up on his back legs, front paws sliding against her back. “Ku, Ku, leg up, leg up!” he cried to his brother. Knowing instantly that if his brother boosted him, and he was able to scramble onto the older wolf’s back, that he could turn around and grab Ku’s scruff, and pull his brother up with him.

It was a move they had utilised a few times, and mostly to get into trouble. They were the biggest of the litter, and the high things put out of their reach weren’t staying safe for aas long as their parents might have hoped. “I’m going to defeat the Theory-monster!”

"Speech"

The boys appeared and attached themselves to her like burrs. Theory laughed as Haiku hit her side with barely any time to catch her breath before Senyru slammed into her opposite shoulder. "Guh!" she pretend gasped, slowly and theatrically falling to her side. "You've already defeated me!" she warbled. These were the most rambunctious of the litter. She was sure Rhyme and Samara were greatful for some time to recuperate. Theo couldn't imagine how tired she'd be if these two were her sole responsibility. The least she could was help out. She giggled and wiggled beneath the two of them, trying to dislodge the pair from clambering on top of her. "Now that you've slain me, you've got to bring me back to life," Theory said, gesturing with her muzzle towards the sticky pile of honeycomb she'd collected. The young alpha stretched out her front left leg to show them a scrape on her shoulder. "Here's my mortal wound. Please apply the honey or I'll just wither away," she keened in a high, sing-song voice. Being a big sister was much more fun than she expected.

previous wc: 574
wc: 190
twc: 764

The boys did an excellent job in subduing their quarry, Haiku shifted into position as Sen called out to him and with just a little more effort both boys would ascend the summit and topple their huge opponent. Theory fell to the side as the boys claimed victory over their sister and she lamented her defeat. She hadn’t put up much of a fight, at least compared to their dad, but maybe she was just soft. They’d have to toughen her up, get her better at fighting since she was the alpha and all.

Theory seemed to want to play a different game though, now that she was dead they had to heal her. Haiku could get behind the shift, his little butt wagged excitedly aas he wriggled off of his sister and turned his attention to the comb. Ears perked and curious as he aimed to lean into his brother’s shoulder to confront the foreign liquid together.

”Oooh.” Haiku spoke softly as he reached a timid paw out to touch the sticky substance. As soon as he came in contact with it the boy felt a huge grin appear on his features as he returned his mischievous gaze back to Theory. She didn’t realize what she’d gotten herself into. Haiku returned to his sister, and with careless swathes the boy smeared honey all over Theo’s shoulder.

wc:231
total:995

“Does mean we’re Alpha now?” the pup asked, mostly in jest. He was pretty sure it took more than this to take down an Alpha in real battle. When she spoke of healing her to bring her back to life, he slipped down after Haiku. Thoughtful expression on his dark, dotted gace.

Okay, so how exactly was this supposed to work? He sniffed at the honey, and wiggled his butt at the tasty smell that whifted past his nostrils. He barely noticed when haiku leaned against him. The weight of his brother was as familiar to him as his own.

Haiku grabbed honey on his paw, and Ru was quick to mimic the motion. Gathering up a healthy portion of the stuff, he waddled over next to Ku, and instantly saw his brother's plan. Like one mind, mischievous trouble mirrored on their faces, they attacked Theory. Smearing honey as liberally as possible across her coat. Ru even raced around to Theory’s front, and attempted to swat some honey onto the bigger womans nose.

WC: 175

Oh no. Kids are so much more trouble than I thought... Theory was quickly accosted by both of the twins. She hadn't noticed just how good their teamwork had gotten - they practically moved as one. If she didn't stay on her toes, they'd wipe her out in no time. Before she could even blink, Theo was practically slathered with honey. "Uh, yep! Good work... except usually you're supposed to apply it only to the wounds, yeah? See the cut?" she said, wrinkling her nose. Just before Senryu tried to cover her face too, Theory lurched to her paws suddenly and attempted to lean down and rub her shoulder all along the pup's back. "I think I saw a little cut! Better cover it all with honey!" For good measure, she leaned down and licked the length of his spine from shoulder to the crown of his tail. At least it still tasted good!

Dipping her paw liberally back into the honey, she hopped after Haiku and tried to swat his butt with a good dose of the honey. They'd all be covered in dirt and mush before long, but nothing a quick trip to the rapids wouldn't fix! Maybe she could squeeze in a history lesson too... No, no, you're getting carried away. Relax. Enjoy the moment.

wc: 217
twc: 1387

Theory was quickly overwhelmed and the golden liquid was stuck easily to her fur as the tag team went after her. Haiku and Senryu moved as one, they were two parts of a whole and their young minds seemed linked. They weren’t immune to the honey slime either though and Theory moved so she could slide it over Sen’s back. Haiku’s bright eyes widened in surprise as she lifted herself to her feet before his brother could get it on her face too bad. The boy grinned brightly, wagged his tail excitedly and play bowed with his sister as her own paw returned to the comb and then swiped at his little butt. Haiku tried to get out of the way, his little paws scrambling as he tried to follow after Senryu. They would have to divide and conquer her again. ”You’re alive!” He called out eagerly, his voice shrill and excited. ”We cured you!” He reiterated as his tail wagged eagerly at his hips and flicked honey all over the place. Haiku was having the time of his life with his big sister, he didn’t realize yet how different she was from the rest of his litter mates, but to him and the rest of the litter, their older sisters were a huge part of their lives. They were adored and loved dearly, even if their mischief didn’t make it seem like it.

wc:238
total:1625

His barrage of attacks didn’t go unchallenged, and Theory was quick to retaliate. Rising up on her paws, and smearing her coated shoulder all across his back. He was immediately accosted by a sticky sensation, and laughter bubbled up in his throat. He was giggling so much he could barely speak as he struggled to defend himself. Throwing sticky paws across any surface of Theory that he could reach.

She began to lick him and he struggled to speak through his laughter. “I'm not lunch, I’m not lunch!” he cried. He began to run, and a moment later, he sensed Haiku on his tail. “We are mighty healers!” He cried, having finally gotten his laughter under control.

"Ahh, yeah, very mighty!" she teased, aiming to bowl Senryu and Haiku over each with a firm nudge. She could tell by the size of their paws that they would grow up to be a formidable size, just like their father. And her, she supposed. Theo didn't much think about her height nowadays. Unless she was standing directly next to Samara or the smallest of the twins' littermates, she no longer felt gawky and awkwardly huge. She simply was. As she grew older a new confidence filled out her adult body. There was no more mistaking her for a stringy yearling. At least she separated the two of them with her front paws. "Alright, sticky boys. Why don't we head for a swim, huh? Have you been to Monument Rapids yet?" The water upstream was placid this time of year; all the snow melt had already been funneled down to the ocean. It would be the perfect place for a swim - and she couldn't wait to get this honey off. Dirt and leaves and grass already stuck to their entire bodies like a botched collage.