She had heard that the band would be on the move again. Something about her aunt getting married back at Grammy's. Delphi wasn't entirely sure about the details, but they were still leaving Grampa Seer. That ultimately made Delphi feel a mixture of emotions. Happy to go see Venom and possibly Grampa Chi again, but also sad that they were leaving Grampa Seer and all the other pups that lived within the Armada. Frustrated over her conflicted emotions was making her hyper-aware of everything else in their surroundings. Out on the beach, the tide didn't seem to come back in as much. Out in the forest, there were fewer and fewer animals as if they were going... somewhere. It was obvious that change was happening and Delphi wanted to be prepared for it. What better way than to do some trading? Already, as she sat within their temporary den, she counted the minimal healing supplies that they had gathered. While there were more healers than not within the band, Delphi knew they couldn't ever be over-prepared. Without the protection of a real pack to their name, they were more of a target than ever. Delphi bundled most of the supplies as she counted. Not nearly enough if everyone in the band got injured. Glancing around the den, she wondered if there was anything here she could use for trading... The cannabis and jewel slipper flowers would be good. Oh, and that antler she had found while she was hunting the other day! Surely that would get her something good! Quickly stuffing what dried herbs and plants she could within a borrowed bag, the tiny pup noticed her brother, Tama, not doing much. He could help! "Tama, Tama, Tama! Help me drag this antler to the traders," Delphi said with a bright smile as she ran over to tug on her brother's ear.

Tama didn’t know it, but traveling so much was probably dangerous. Being so little, in such a big world? There were lots of things that would want to eat them. Too many things. Way too many things. Creepy crawlies, big spookies, spooky ookies… yeah, lots of things. He’s not so certain he wants to sign himself up for all of the scary things that life had to offer them right now. Still, the inherent, low-grade anxiety that came with living the way they did brought a certain dark nuance to his art. Tama is already an artist. He’s already a painter. He already creates the most beautiful works, at least in his own mind. That confidence has drawn him to making things that are as beautiful as they are haunting… just like Tama himself is. But there are better things to dwell on. Being so close to the Armada meant that they had other children to romp and play with. They had older wolves that looked upon any children in their vicinity as if they’re their own. Tama wouldn’t know or understand how much weight his family name carried until he was much older. Sure, grammy was an empress, but the exact meaning of the word was lost on him for now. Just a vagabond kid with vagabond alternative parents, out here being rad as hell. One of the rad as hell things about staying within the Armada’s homelands? The trading. It was a trade hub of sorts, apparently. He’d seen more artwork, sculpture, and pigments than ever before within the markets. Sculpture, pottery, jewelry, metalworking… all of it. It’s beautiful, and Tama has been utterly enchanted by it. He hardly needed an excuse to agree to go down with Delphi. As his sister came to drag him into helping, Tama perked up. “Hold on, put these in the bag to trade too.” The boy swept up what he’d been working on. Little beads made from teeth that he’d wrenched from discarded prey, hollowed out with a sharp stick. There were some made from the vertebrae of small animals too, mostly rodents and other things easily found already dead. He helped his sister shoulder the weight of the antler, which wasn’t too heavy– bulky and awkward though. “What are we trading for, you think?” His head tipped to the side as he contemplated, thinking about things that the traders might be offering. Though it would be important to get settled and sorted out for the winter ahead, Tama was already a hoe for aesthetics. Pretty bits and baubles were typically what drew him in… maybe Delphi had more practical ideas.

WC: 752/1500

Honestly, Delphi could have told Tama to carry the antler. Even though they were puppies, it was clear she was the runt. Far smaller than her other siblings, but that wasn't anything she allowed to hold her back. In actuality, she tried to make it a benefit instead of a negative. Which was why this time around, she wanted to help carry the antler. Even after he shoved his little bits and baubles into the bag, she insisted on carrying that too. It dragged on the ground slightly, making an awful scratching noise as they left their den and headed down the corridor. To anyone else, the sight was simply comical. Two pups of very different sizes trailing an antler and a bag of goodies with them. Of course, Delphi could care less. She had ideas and if her brother would help her then they would surely succeed! And of course, unlike her brother, her wants from the traders were indeed very practical. Right now, Delphi is young, impressionable, sweet, and eager to learn. She wants to help. She wants to be a good healer. One that patches up others and kisses their boo-boos all better. Well, for now at least but that's a different story for another time. For now, she has hope. Anyone can see the sparkle in her eye as she skips down the dirt path hallways of the col that led to the large cavern. The opening is so large that she can see the light shining from it way far away. She can smell the meat, the mead, the sweets, the tinctures, everything. Wolves from all over came here to sell and trade their wares and she was happy to be a part of it! Anything to help the band, right? "Tama, hurry!" Delphi insisted through clenched teeth that clung to the base of the antler. Since Tama was taller, she had insisted he carry it by one of the tines so it wouldn't break off during their walk. Thankfully her idea worked and the antler was safe. Pushing against the strength and resistance of her brother, it was clear how excited she was. Her tail wagged happily behind her as her paws tapped and pranced beneath her. Even her breath was slightly ragged as she stared wide-eyed at everything around them. Stalls lined up in rows covered in different colors of cloth and leather. Wolves, canines, felines, all different types of animals alike called out, conversed, and mumbled around them. Pausing finally at the end of the first row, she gently drops her side of the antler before looking at her brother. "I want to try and get some bandages and some healing salves. I noticed we're low on that kind of stuff so I brought some cannabis and some jewel slippers and this antler hoping someone will trade me," Her words are quick and whippy out of her ivory lips as her elongated canine teeth shine in the flickering candlelight. "I know winter is coming up soon so I don't want us to be without anything important," Delphi squints a little. Talking about feelings and being squishy is uncomfortable for her. She would rather show her gratitude than spill the beans about it.

wc: 1292/1500

Delphi was so much shorter, and Tama had to go out of his way to avoid poking her with the antler as they walked. Still, he'd be careful. Goodness knows what either mom would say if they went on a little outing and ended up stabbed, sheesh. There would be no stabbing today. Probably. As they made their way down into the market, there were so many smells. Really good smells, like meat cooking and herbs. All of the salves in the different booths drew him in, and it takes the boy some time to remember that they're on a mission. It was all so brilliant and colorful here, his heart soaring with it. Really, Tama is enchanted. His sister has a point, though. There were supplies they could use more of, and she already seemed to know which. The boy nodded as he listens to her plan. Tama tips his head for a moment as his gaze scans across the different vendors in their stalls. His gaze lands on the booth of what appears to be a healer, with a long mane decorated with beaded braids. "Look at that one, they'd probably take some of your herbs and my beads." Would they want his crafts? Though made by a child, they were still pretty cool... at least Tama thought so. If nothing else, cannabis was good currency. "It looks like there's a craftsman making things with antler and bone down on the end, I don't know what he'd be able to offer us though. Maybe they have buttons to help keep the supply kits closed?" It's a hopeful suggestion. Really, both pups were terribly cute, so if nothing else they'd have their charm to rely on. That had to count for something, right?

wc: 1588/1500