They were allowed freedom now. Only within the pack lands. Close to home where they were safe. To be watched over by mom and dad or an older sibling. Gem was fine with that. She enjoyed knowing that she was safe. It is this reminder that allows her own conscious to leave the den that day.

Standing in the doorway, she looks to... Arachne! Yes, she knew her sister would want to venture out! Letting out a bark, Gem wags her tail. "C'mon Rainy!" She beckons for her sister before turning to trot out of the door. Thankfully the weather today was overcast with the bright sun hidden behind grey clouds. Looking around, walking at a slow pace so her sister could catch up, she stares at the tall red rocks. "Think we could climb those?" What brought the crazy idea to Gem was... beyond her. There was no way she could climb those things!!

Once they were finally able to leave the den and explore the pack lands, Arachne could hardly keep herself contained. It was still relatively early in the morning. So when she finally lifted her paws off her chin- stifling a yawn as she stretched to greet the day- her attention immediately shifted to the frame of one of her siblings in the entrance. While she was very much excited to get out and explore, the sleep was still heavy in her clumsy paws. As she closed the distance, she realized the silhouette was Gemma. With a slow wag of her tail, she drew a breath to greet her- but of course, Gem had beaten her to it. C’mon Rainy! A bright grin flashed across her features after she bounded out the door behind her.

It didn’t take Gem long to come up with an objective- about the time it took for her to catch up. Think we could climb those? Looking up to the spires that jutted out from the landscape … she had to admit that she wasn’t sure it was possible. “I’m not sure …” Arachne mused, sizing up their height. But were they really going to give up that easily? “But I guess, we won’t know until we try.” She looked back to her sister with a mischievous glint in her eye and a playful smirk that tugged at her lips. Casting a glance at her sister, her pale blue gaze lingered for several moments. “What do you say?” Arachne prompted, trying to gauge just how hard her sister was willing to commit to the seemingly impossible task.

"Arachne Klein"

As much as Gem wanted to adventure with her siblings, she was also one of the more cautious ones. Looking up at the towering spires, she knew they could be dangerous. Climb too high, they might get stuck. Hesitancy lingers in her when Rainy looks at her with a devious grin and sparkling glint in her eyes. Uh oh, she'd done it now. There was no convincing her sister to not climb the rocks now. As suddenly as her adventurous side had tried to show, Gem reeled it back in and gave her head a soft shake.

"What if we just stay down here?" She asks, her voice quivering softly. "There's plenty to see around here," Gem waves a paw knowing that her sister can see through her bluff. Really, there wasn't shit for all down at the bottom. It was... dust, rocks, and tumbleweeds all around them. Hardly anything to really look at other than well, dirt. Her eyes move back up to the top of the spires that reach to the sky. There she sees a small pathway that winds around the red rocks. Hm, maybe if they followed that path... "I-I guess we could try?" Gem offers as she then points with a paw toward the thin trail leading up the closest spire.

Arachne's ears perked up as Gem suggested they try the pathway winding around the red rocks. A flicker of excitement danced in her eyes, but she could also sense the hesitation in her sister's voice. She knew that Gem had a cautious nature, always looking out for things, while Arachne often let her curiosity lead the way. But today, she knew she had to tread carefully and convince Gem that this adventure was worth it. "Oh, c'mon, Gem,” Arachne pleaded, trying her best to hide the excitement in her voice. "We'll be careful, I promise. And just imagine the view from up there!” She gestured towards the pathway winding around the red rocks, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Taking a few steps closer to the base of the spire, Arachne looked up at its intimidating height. A surge of both excitement and fear coursed through her veins. But she knew she couldn't let fear hold her back. She had to push herself, and maybe, just maybe, Gem would find the courage to do the same.

"Arachne Klein"

Her sister's encouraging and daring words begin to convince her. Both eyes still up at the rocks towering over them, Gem contemplates a few more seconds before she takes a few steps closer to the rock pillar. Red dust is already covering her paws, nearly up to her ankles, there was no sense in avoiding the dirt any longer. Besides, if they were careful, what would the harm be? She swallows hard and looks to Arachne who is already at the base of the thin trail that leads upward toward the sky.

That is really, really tall. Gem thinks to herself, hesitating once more behind her sister. "Well, o-okay, we can try," she whispers, her legs shaking visibly. The pup moves forward anyway, tail tucking between her legs and ears folded halfway back as she begins to follow her sister farther up the rock's face. Even from a few feet up, she can begin to see more spreading out through the canyon. From below, everything looked red, but she was starting to see the different shapes and shades of all the different red rocks.

"How do you think these things got here?" Gem asks, her voice still shaky like her legs as they continue upward.

Arachne cast a glance over her shoulder at Gem, a soft smile radiating reassurance as she saw the awe painted on her sister's face. She admired Gem's courage, her willingness to step out of her comfort zone. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her gaze returning to the path ahead. "But it's incredible, isn't it?” Arachne mused, her eyes reflecting the awe-inspiring view that slowly unfolded around them.

As they ascended, each step revealed a new layer of the sprawling landscape. The rocks shifted in hue, from deep burgundies to delicate peaches and dusty roses. As their paws brushed against the stone, they could feel the coarseness that coexisted with an inexplicable smoothness, telling tales of time and the relentless elements that had sculpted this desolate beauty.

"Arachne Klein"