It was time, dusk was near, the setting sun finally letting the earth cool from its scorching heat. In it's last hours everything seemed to glow in that firelight of summer color. Birds still sang their songs, butterflies searched for safe places to sleep, dragonflies chases each other. Fawns followed their mothers to thickets, little rabbits stood watching the sun and the life around them. All was seen from the mouth of the den, the home to three little pups. It was the only thing they knew of till this evening. They were old enough, strong enough to venture out into the world. To feel the warm breeze tickle the hairs in their ears, the scents invite them to explore and learn, the wonders and twists that laid out there awaited them. Sky blue eyes peered out from the gloom of the den, tucked away in the protection of the willows. one step was taken lightly, then another till her head emerged to cast a wary look around. She would remain tense, alert till she was satisfied it was safe. Pulling the rest of her dark body out of the den she looked back and gave a soft call.Come dears, it is time for you to come out. She smiled warmly, tail wagging slowly. Head lifted to look around for the familiar shape of her mate. Imena couldn't have been more proud of their pups, she could wait to show them off to the world. If only they were still back in Valhalla, the one she knew and had loved. Sitting down a few feet from the den she turned to watch her pups see the world outside the den for the first time. She tired to ease the worry from her, what if something happened to them? What about Shikoba? The little girl was finally healthy but her early days she screamed and cried so loud and all the time. Now the little girl was silent as the setting sun. Had the girl gone chronic and last her voice? She didn't think so, nor did Cael. Speech Thought Companion Others

Though it felt like forever since he had been apart of Valhalla, the man had found himself patrolling the area daily ever since Imena and Cael brought their children into the world. In times where food was scarce, It was common for cannibalism to occur, wolves mainly going for new born pups rather than take on a full grown adult and possibly injure themselves. And even though that time was not happening now, Deviant still felt the need to make sure the family was safe from any threat. Should anything happen to any of them, the guilt would be too strong, almost make the man feel pathetic. Thankfully today was another peaceful day, the only threat to the group of wolves were the small birds flying back and forth between the trees. Satisfied with his rounds the man would head back towards the heart of the territory, pace steady, in no rush to make it back and lay out under the sun a bit. Just a few minutes it would take till he was back, ears swiveling around, pace slowing till he came to a standstill. It truly was a lovely day, good for relaxing like he had planned. But wait, something from the corner of his gaze would catch his attention. Quickly his head would turn in the direction, golden eyes falling upon and focusing on the figure of Imena exiting her den. Would she be bringing the children out today? From what he remembered when he had his children, enough time had passed to where the kids should be able to walk and talk. Smile spreading over his lips, the man would swing his body around and head towards the woman. Head held high but relaxed, tail swinging lightly behind him. "Miss Imena, good morning." He greeted her in a friendly manner, stopping just a few feet before her. "It's a lovely day, I hope your letting the kiddos out to enjoy it with us as well." He raised a brow, and sort of had his had tilted in a joking way, as if asking her permission to let the children out and play. "normal. speech. thought. you." Awesome image by KatG6 <3

The dark-colored pup had been content to sleep away another day, but at his mother's insisting he blinked open his two-toned gaze and stretched his jaws in a yawn. He glanced at his siblings and then to the door of their den before he really understood what was happening. They were leaving the den! He scrambled to his paws, tripping over his too-big feet a bit in his excitement. "Shi! Ard! Come on, let's go!" He's little tail wagged excitedly, but he made himself slow down long enough to nudge his sister gently to her paws. He didn't know why she was smaller than he and their brother, but he just knew she was and knew he should make sure she was okay before he went tumbling out of the den. He bounded straight into Deviant's legs, clearly too excited to watch where he was going. He yelped with surprise and blinked as he tipped his head up to look with wide eyes up at the older wolf. Laoch quickly realized who it was, recognizing him from him bringing their mom food and stuff. His smile burst back on to his face and he exclaimed, "Dev!" He laughed and glanced behind him, calling, Lets go lets go lets go!" before turning his attention to the outside world, padding toward a huge thing near by with green things all over it. "Momma! What's this?" His gaze caught a weird shaped form that moved through the air from one of the huge green things to the other and he immediately added, "And that! What's that, Momma?" Speech Thought Others

Since the time she could remember she screamed and screamed. As if her little lungs had been on fire and she wanted it to stop. But has she grew a little older her colic died down and with it her voice till both were gone. It wasn't tat she was unable to talk, she just didn't want to. Because everytime she did she would only think of when she had colic. And somewhere in that little mind of her's she thought staying silent would help her. And though no one said anything she would catch the looks her mother cast upon her or the shared look between Mommy and Daddy. They were worried but why? It wasn't till recently she might have an idea why. Laoch and Ar were bigger than her! Was something really wrong with her? Why was she smaller? Was she sick? She had been snuggly curled up between her brothers, her head closer to Laoch, who she adored. Yes she loved Ar too but she felt very close to Laoch. He seemed brave and strong and she relied on him to be those things for her too. Ar was like her cuddle buddy, the one she could silently lay there with and both be as happy as ever. But this morning Mommy was moving out of the den, her mind vaguely aware of it but not fully awake. Not till Laoch was on his paws waking her and Ar up. Her icey blue eyes opened slowly confused as she uncurled herself from the tight ball she had been in. Laoch was nudging her to her paws and she whined ever so softly looking back and forth at her brothers. What was going on? Why was Laoch so excited? She nearly fell over as Laoch raced out of the den after Mommy, calling them to join them. Jaws went slack as she stared in horror. Laoch left the den! Who knew what was out there! She whimpered and edged to the mouth of the den, peering out to see Mommy, Dev and Laoch. Laoch looked ok, even really excited. But she still wasn't sure about going out. Her paws scuttled backwards in a rush till her rump hit the far wall of the den. Sitting down she looked to Ar. Was he going out there too? And where was Daddy? She didn't like this, why was everyone going outside? Couldn't they just stay in here? Her ears went back and shoulders hunched forwards with her uncertainty. Speech Thought Others

She was vaguely aware of her mother moving about in the den but Ardal wasn?t too worried. Mommy and daddy often left, usually only one at a time mind but neither of them seemed all too concerned with crossing the invisible boundary of the den. The pups were another matter. Ardal was snuggled next to the form of her sister, watching as their mother crossed the threshold. Her familiar voice beckoned them forwards but the grey and white pup didn?t move till Laoch added his own encouragement. Rising reluctantly to her own paws she waited till her brother had bound out of the den. Emeral gaze turned to her sister who had retreated quickly further into the den and the pup offered her an encouraging smile and a slight nudge of her shoulder. ?C?mon Shi.? The pup spoke softly and gently nuzzled the smaller girl. ?Let?s go together.? White paws moved forwards slowly to allow for the cream pup to keep pace as she approached the den entrance. Speech, thoughts, you

Cael's ears perked when he heard the excited voice of his eldest son nearby, a smile coming to his muzzle. Ah, so Imena had decided to bring them out of the den after all. Cael hadn't been far away, only a handful of feet at most. That was as far as he could bring himself to be away from his family these days. He would leave to see about catching a quick meal for the two of them or to look for any possible herbs to help Shikoba when she was still so tiny and constantly yelling at the top of her lungs, but other than that he had been in the den with Imena or just outside of it. Because of that it took him only a moment to pad back toward the entrance of the den, finding Laoch first since he was apparently the only one to wander more than a few inches from the den. He chuckled at his son's questions and nudged the black pup gently on the shoulder with his nose, turning him back toward the den. "Those are trees and the green you see on them are leaves. And the animals in the sky are birds." It still struck him how much Laoch looked like his father. His gold and blue eyes with his black coat and white star were uncannily similar. Of course Laoch had the white patch on his chest to make his look completely unique, but there was no denying that he was Cormallin's grandson. To top it off, he was already so brave and the way he cared for his siblings made Cael proud of the decision to name him after his long-passed adoptive father. Leading Laoch back toward the group, Cael lifted his gaze and saw Imena sitting by the den's entrance with Deviant by her side and he offered the other male a smile and a nod before placing a lick on his mate's cheek. "Where are the other trouble makers?" he teased, peering into the den to see Ardal leading Shikoba out from the far side of the den. He smiled softly as he watched them, glad that his daughter had her brothers to watch out for her. She had been so tiny when they were born and certainly didn't have the smoothest start to her life. But now she was growing just fine and Cael felt confident that her silence was more mind than matter. He knew Imena worried, but he was sure she would talk when she was ready. Of course he was absolutely tickled that she had taken so strongly after him in appearance and she was already so sweet and kind. Watching Ardal, he couldn't help but think of his own siblings. He, Caerul, and Alsander doting on their only sister, Claire... The similarities in those dynamics and the dynamics he saw in his own children were amazing. It was like history repeating itself. Of course Ardal was the spitting image of Caerul and every time Cael looked at him he wished his family was here to see the newest additions to their line. He was curious to see how Ardal's personality developed. With Laoch and Shikoba it was easy in a way to read their developing interactions with each other, but the gray and white pup was a little harder to get a grasp on. "Come on, Shikoba. It's safe. You can sit right here with me and Mommy and Uncle Deviant if you'd like." With that he took a step back to settle on his haunches beside Imena, smiling and content to watch his children explore the world for the first time. Speech Thought Others

Almost immediately after Deviant had arrived, one of the children had bounded out of the den and into the man's legs. He would chuckle at little Laoch, tail swinging as he watched the boy pick himself up and bark to his siblings. "Morning Laoch." He watched the child then scamper off towards a tree, asking what the large object was as well as the bird flying out of them. This he would leave to the parents to explain, more so just being on guard duty so that the family could have some time together, allowing the children to explore the outside world. Next to make an appearance was the small, and quiet Shikoba, staring in horror as her brother had bounded out of the den. Deviant chuckled quietly at her reaction, understanding why she was shocked to see her sibling leave the safe and warm den they had been raised in till now. But then the girl seemed to have a change in heart, stumbling back and falling into the den. Not too worried that the girl got hurt, since she was just standing there, Deviant would glance over to Imena briefly before looking towards the den entrance when he heard Ardal then Cael speaking to the remaining two girls. "We are all out here kiddos, uncle Dev will keep you guys safe." He flashed a smile from where he sat, as well as winked to the two girls before pulling away. Children, they were lovely and full of energy and curiosity. Oh how he missed spending time with Mystic during a pups' first couple of weeks outside the den. Realizing where his thoughts were going the man quickly shook his head and brought himself to his feet, with a small shake he would move away from the den a couple feet before turning back around and glancing around the area. "No monsters here!" He called to the females inside the den, hoping it would help ease them out of their safe den. "normal. speech. thought. you." Awesome image by KatG6 <3

The first to come see the pups would be Deviant. She smiled warmly at the male, And good morning to you too Deviant. Yes, it is time for them to embrace the world." She lowered her front half to stretch out her back just as Laoch ran out of the den and crashed into Deviant. She chuckled softly at her son as she laid down. Laoch was probably the more active one of the three, but he was also protective of his siblings as he helped her with Shikoba and encourage the other two to come outside. She could not have asked for better pups. Ardal was calmer and reminded her much of Caerul. Not only in looks but personality. Shikoba looked more like her mate and took after his gentle nature. She was skittish but with the whole family here she was sure her daughter would grow out of it. Laoch's voice quickly drew her attention as he rushed to inspect a tree. Before she could answer him Cael arrived and replied to the little boy. She smiled softly and would return Cael's kiss with her own to his nose. Her attention would turn back to the den with a slight frown. As much as she wanted the other two out here, she knew they needed to do it at their own pace. At least Shikoba did, as Ardal seemed to be staying back for his sister's sake. She turned to Deviant as he announced no monsters lurked. It's alright Shikoba its safe, you can take your time. She added softly, not wanting the pup to feel rushed. Speech Thought Others

Standing in the back of the den she started to tremble till Ar came back to stand with her. She whined softly and pressed into her brother. Her little ears listened to everyone outside talk, encouraging her out but she wasn't ready. It was too much to take in, all the smells and sounds, all the sights. She wasn't sure how she could take it all in. How was Laoch doing it?! She whined again and gently mouthed Ar's shoulder nervously. She heard Dev announce there were no monsters, at least that wasn't a worry. Then Daddy called out saying she could sit with them, and Mommy said she could take her time. But she didn't want Ar to waste his fun time because of her. She would look up and take two steps forwards but wait for Ar. Together, like he said, they'd go outside. She pressed into him again, tail waging softly, a sign to show she was ready, and mouth her brother's neck. If he led the way she would follow, still pressing into him and mouthing her lips on his neck in a nervous habit. But once outside she froze, her little lungs take deep swallowing breaths as she drank in everything. And just like she thought, it was overwhelming but in an exciting way. Everything seemed to move and be alive and she loved it. It was magical to her. But still nervous she would dart over to her parents and squeeze between them and snuggle in. She nuzzled them both, tail wagging while her light blue eyes took in everything in wonderment. Speech Thought Others