Ajax dropped down into a bow, butt wiggling in intense focus as he coiled his muscles and pulled in a long, deep breath. This was important, took all of his focus as he eyed the rolling waves in front of him. Back and forth, back and forth, in a constant hiss that filled his ears even when he was asleep. Slipped into his dreams like he belonged out here, ready to swim till his little leggies gave out. Except there was one problem. He couldn't jump nearly as far as he would like! And believe me he tried! With an almighty HYAAH! he leapt forward into the waves, limbs flailing as he paddled before allowing his paws to sink to the sandy bottom. He needed...he didn't know what he needed, what could help him fly further, maybe some help would do him some good? W E T

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Finally healed up from her numerous fights Pyralis went for a walk along the beach after a few glasses of wine. She was feeling pretty good though she could still feel her joints protesting despite the medication she’d taken earlier. Hopefully the alcohol wasn’t interfering with it but either way she wasn’t going to waste her final years fussing over her health. She was going to enjoy every last moment.

A yell and a splash caught her attention and she looked to see one of Sparrow’s pups leaping out into the water and then swimming about. Shoot. If he’d had his butt to her she’d have happily charged the little stinker and booted him right off into the ocean. Oh well, probably just as well. She sauntered over to the edge of the water and peered at the boy for a moment. “Having fun?”

Tipping his head  all the back to peer up at the tall lady, Ajax sent her an upside grin. He sure was! He didn't really know who she was, what her name was or anything important like that, but he'd seen her around and knew what she smelled like. That was enough in his eyes, enough to already have him considering asking her to play. Playing was a very important thing to do and they had lots of options, there was playing pretend, playing fetch and what he'd just been doing before, leaping! "Yup! I wanna jump reaaaal far." And he would, just maybe not with his current technique. "Hey! I know! Do you wanna throw me?" His mum had carried him around via his scruff a few times, didn't hurt at all and dangling his legs about was kinda fun. "Maybe then I'll go reeeeeaaal far!" He rattled off, still tilting his head back, admiring her from upside down.

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyr's ears perked up as the boy explained that he wanted to jump really far and was game to be given a boost. She chuckled. "My dear, I would be more than happy to! My name is Pyralis but you can call me Auntie Pyr. Let's see… now what's the best way to get you to go reeeaaaalllly far." She backed up a bit and considered the angle for a moment. She could grab him by the scruff and yeet him that way or scoop him up from his underbelly and use her neck to fling him. Using her teeth would be more accurate but she felt she could get more lift using the second method.

"Ok, face toward the water and prepare yourself to be yeeted." Pyralis trotted back toward the shore then turned around and aligned herself with the boy. She stretched her limbs for a moment before crouching and calling out to him. "You ready?"

Auntie Pyr? Yes, good. He liked that, felt right in his tummy and noggin. Eager to do as he was told, he turned and showed her his rump-which felt a little rude to be honest. Not something a boy as good as him would usually do, but Pyr had told him to do it...so maybe it was okay? At the very least she didn't look like the sort who'd be upset by him misbehaving a little. If that's what this was. "Yep Miss Pyr!" See that felt more polite, like he was making up for one bad with a good in return. He nodded and looked towards the sea, wanted more than anything to soar real far before splishing real deep.

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis chuckled, what a silly little thing. She steadied herself and lined up her aim as the boy stated that he was ready. Her limbs coiled and she suddenly kicked off, charging toward the pup and as she neared her teeth darted down and seized the boys scruff. Using her momentum as well as a powerful twist of her neck she let go and paused, waiting to see how far she managed to toss the boy out into the ocean. Part of her probably should have considered the chance for ocean predators but she hadn't seen many of note lately and so she didn't worry about it. She heard Alkali give a disgruntled screech and knew the hawk disapproved of her antics but in Pyr's opinion she was at that age where she should be allowed to do whatever the heck she wanted.

Ajax waited all good and patient, a smile pulling so hard at his lips it started to hurt. His ears twitched at the sound of thudding paws, approaching fast and then-he felt teeth grab onto the scruff of his neck and lift him up till his paws no longer touched the sand. The wind rustled his coat and he couldn't help but feel as though the breeze was carrying him even further, soaring and flying till he plunged deep into the water. Was surrounded by nothing but blue and white as he floated for a moment, revelling in the thrill of it all. And then he began to kick his way to the surface, puppy limbs surprisingly strong and practised as he burst out into daylight once more. His grin was so wide his face hurt, puppy teeth all on display as he treaded water, tail swishing up a storm beneath the waves. "Wooo!" He cheered, already kicking his way back to dry land with a sense of urgency he'd never felt before in his short little life. "Again again! Please Miss Pyr!"

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis watched the boy soar out over the water and then land with a satisfying plop in the ocean. She shook her head in amusement as she watched the boy flip over and start swimming back to shore. It was clear that he had a good amount of practice swimming. He was a natural at it. Ajax arrived back on dry land and asked to be tossed once more. "Alright, alright. One more time. Line up the same way." Pyralis paced farther in shore to give herself a good start. "Why do you like this so much anyway?"

She waited for the pup to answer and get himself ready then once he was she charged forward again, old limbs surprisingly supple. As she neared she attempted to grab the pup by the scruff of the neck once more so she could hurl him back out into the ocean, hoping this time she could send him even farther.