They were free now -- they were not prisoners as they once had been. They had a home, and their leader was a woman that had treated her family with nothing but respect when she had lived in her Kingdom previously. For so long, Ara had felt as though she could not leave the borders of her home, mostly confined to her den with Novel and the boys, when they were willing to keep them company. There had been little room for much more than the menial tasks that made up everyday life.
But today, she could roam. The land near the delta was fertile and herbs sprouted along the shoreline that led to the ocean. A childlike sense of wonder filled her heart as she sprinted along the side of the flowing river, eager to stretch her limbs and wander, to take in the sweet scent of spring flowers and the subtle salty scent of the ocean that mingled together perfectly. It was a beautiful day, and she was certain she could bring something useful home; and at the very least, at least she knew she could find something pretty to bring back to Novel.
Mismatched paws propelled the young buck forward freely through the territory. There was no more being cooped up in the den, no more fear of retribution from the villain that had claimed their home. No, he was free and he would od what he wished. It would just so happen that all he wished to do was follow after his mother Ara. Psalm was still a quiet boy, being secreted away from the world had helped this habit none, but it hadn't hurt his fearlessness. Though he harbored no feelings of danger that wasn't to say he wasn't fully aware of how scared his mother Novel could be sometimes. It had been best just to heed her will and stay close the last season.
The small form of the boy would easily follow Ara's trail, her scent as familiar to him as his own. She was his mother in almost every sense of the word and he adored her. Even if she had to discipline him sometimes. Dark ears would perk forward as he listened to the distant sound of the ocean, and would try and catch the sound of Ara's foot steps. Stalking her through the grass he'd eventually run out of the flower laden plants, quite a bit away from his mother. He was going to have to make a break for it. His attention would be caught by her as she sprinted by, with no warning the young wolf would burst from his hiding place, yelling out his war call and eagerly trailing after his mother.
There was an unusual hop to her step as she went, an enthusiasm that the quiet woman rarely displayed. Though they had never been mistreated under Jupiter, they had still been prisoners... and restricted freedom was never something that was pleasant for anyone. She worried that her sons' social development might be somewhat slowed, that they were too cautious and kept to themselves more than children typically might. Despite her worries, she knew that things would only get better from here on out, and that sent a feeling of giddy joy through her. Normally calm, she'd suddenly grown restless and eager to stretch her limbs and to roam freely as she once had.
As she passed by Psalm, having not been paying much attention to the scents in the air, she nearly jumped as he sprung out at her. Some of Novel's fear had seemed to rub off on her, though she had always been a bit cautious. The surprise quickly faded, giving way to a look of pure love and adoration as she smiled at her son's sudden appearance. "I didn't realize you'd followed me," she noted warmly, watching him as he began to walk beside her. He seemed so free, so relaxed -- it was a refreshing thing to see. "Isn't it nice to leave home again?" Their restricted freedom wasn't something they had discussed; though young, the boys had known it hadn't been something pleasant and they all seemed to give off a more pleasant aura now that they had been told they could go as they pleased. As much as she loved her home, she loved the outside world too, and it had felt far too restricting to not be able to go beyond it as they desired.
The lightheartedness of the family would not go unnoticed by the boy, just like a blanket of unpleasantness had been lifted from them and their home. He hadn't even realized how much he'd needed the fresh air until he breathed it. Had no idea how good this freedom tasted until he was given it. Life seemed much brighter and more full now that he was no longer labeled as a 'prisoner'. Flashy teeth would shine at his mother as he trotted up beside her. A satisfied grin bubbling at his features as he witnessed the surprise in her form.
However it wouldn't last and he'd melt at the sight of her loving grin. Perking and speeding up his smaller form would jump up to rub against her side, still the boy was bursting with unspent energy. She hadn't even realized he'd been stalking her, he was totally the shadow of the forest. King of the quiet. A devilish grin would overtake his features as he looked quite obviously pleased with himself.
Her train of thought would shift, observing what he knew very well already. Being able to go out was awesome. "Is." He'd agree simply, nodding his head at the same time. He'd take in a great breath and heave a content sigh, "What'r you doing?" The small wolf owuld ask, his head tilting with curiosity as he asked why it was she'd run off with out him, what she was doing with her day.
The first thing she wanted to do was to roam. To find useful herbs for her family, and even to find something pretty -- or better yet, pretty and useful -- to bring home to Novel. It was enough to stretch her cramped limbs and to let her eyes take in the scenery around her, so different from the packlands that she had become a prisoner in. To see her son suddenly at her side only made this day infinitely brighter, and through the surprise that painted her features came a warm smile and a glowing adoration that could be mistaken for nothing else.
The warmth of Psalm against her side was comforting and her mood would only soar higher, like a bird above the clouds; her grin growing with each moment that passed. "Just wandering," she told him honestly, her head tilting to the side to nudge the side of the boy's face as they walked together. "I thought maybe I'd like to find some herbs to bring home to your momma Novel," Ara elaborated for a moment. "And what are you doing today, my sweet?" There had been a noticeable change in her sons, and she watched him proudly, wondering what he might tell her.
Psalm had the same sentiments as his mother in his idea of hat to do with himself now that he was allowed to wander and allowed to do what he wanted to do. Though instead of going off by himself he sought out the company of his mother, stalking her through the brush with his silent steps. He had no plans on going anywhere in particular, but he knew he wanted to spend time with Ara.
His own features would bright at having her beside him, still shorter than she was it was becoming unlikely that he ever would reach her stature either. Already Hymn was much larger than himself. Her answer was simple, and not all together different from the answer he would give. Psalm would lean into her affectionate touch, he suppressed the urge to kick his heels at his happiness. Seeing his mother so free was a great relief to himself. She did however have one task, to bring back with them a gift for his mother. Oh he was good at finding things! This was going to be a blast.
She would ask him what it was he was off doing afterwards, and his expression would change just a bit as he had to think about it. "Hmm.. follown' you!" he'd proclaim, not really having a better answer. He had so much he'd missed out on he wasn't even sure where to start. Coming here with Ara had been a good idea. "What'r we tryin' t' find?" He'd ask curiously, could he help her find what it was they were going to surprise Novel with? "any breakfast?" He'd finish with, finding his tummy rumbling slightly.
The wide smile that Ara wore on her tan-hued face seemed like it might never fade, as she gazed upon her son, simply glowing with adoration that she never wished to withhold from her sons. Though their lives had always been so full of promise, it seemed now that their future was brighter than ever, and this new optimism was evident in every one of her light steps as she walked alongside her son.
He admitted he was just following her, which elicited a soft laugh from her throat. The only thing more delightful than spending time with her son was knowing he really wanted to spend time with her. "I'm not looking for anything specific," she admitted openly to her son as they walked. "Maybe some basic herbs to bring back home." It had been awhile since she had left the borders of her home, and though the lands were fertile and familiar to her, the number of herbs that grew there were highly limited. "And then the prettiest flower we can find for your momma Novel. Though breakfast sounds like a good idea before we start looking too hard." Her tail would begin to wag behind her as she slowed her pace to face her son. "Think we should go on a little hunt first?"
He was happy to plod along at her side, ready and willing for any task she might assign him. Psalm just enjoyed being in her company, and to see her smile so easily. He'd noticed the change in his mothers as quickly as the change in leadership had happened. They were smiling now. Of course Ara was eager to answer his question, just a few herbs to help restock and the best part of all was a beautiful flower for his mother Novel. This trip would bring more and more fun. What kind of flower would they find? Most importantly though was filling his stomach.
Ara would slow, turning to face him as she asked if he wanted to go on a quick little hunt. Of course he did! His little paws would go crazy as he jumped excitedly in front of her, yes he was so ready for this! He hadn't gotten so much hunting practice yet, but surely Ara was ready to help show him some more tips and tricks. What would they find to eat? "Yes, yes lets!"He'd answer her with enthusiasm.
Though she wished Novel had come with her today, she knew that some days were simply not easy for her mate -- often she was content to stay inside their den, ans though Ara knew that her wife needed her support, she also could do well with some time alone. And she couldn't bear to let her sons wander and play without joining them, even if only briefly. In her step as she walked with her son was a youthful sort of joy, a thing that was rare from the ever-serious Ara, though she couldn't help but be overwhelmed by love when in the presences of her sons.
He seemed eager at the talk of hunting, jumping up and down with excitement he didn't even try to contain. "Let's go then!" came her own quiet exclamation. Though she wasn't terribly practiced in group hunting, she was adept at catching small game for herself and her family and would be happy to share her small cache of knowledge with her son. "Let's try to find a small meal," she told him, swinging her head from left to right to sniff at the air. It was spring, and finding small prey animals wouldn't be difficult, as they were all coming out of hibernation and building dens to reproduce in. "I think I smell a rabbit" she noted, watching him to see if he had picked up the scent as well. A gentle nudge would be given to his shoulder. "Want to try to find it?"
His mother Novel didn't often accompany them outside the den, and though she seemed perfectly happen when he, Hymn or Ara were around he couldn't help but feel like she still felt sad. Not that he'd let her mood get him down, Psalm was always ready to go out and do all the new things. Especially new things with his mother. She was quick to take on the same enthusiasm he felt, eager to go on a hunt with him. She would take the lead as she should and Psalm would follow with precision. He too would stand tall, or as tall as his short stature would let him, and wave his nose in the air. There were so many smells that entered his nose he was unsure how to focus on one. His mother knew how to though, her voice was easy as she asked simply if he smelled the rabbit. He'd take in another deep breath and close his eyes to concentrate. Weather he actually smelled the creature or just thought he did bright blue eyes would burst open and he'd nod eagerly, of course he smelled the rabbit! She'd nudge him now, did he want to try and find it?
His eyes would widen and his tail would wag as his mouth opened in silent excitement. Yes. Yes he very much wanted to find it. Though suddenly he'd stop all of his movement and look at Ara very seriously, "How?" He'd emphasize the word with his eyes opening wider as he tried to understand this task. Was it kind of like the hide and seek he and Hymn used to play? Or more like trying to find one of his mothers in some unknown corner of the mangroves.
Ara hadn't gotten much chance to teach their sons much beyond the basics. Of things such as fighting, they were blissfully ignorant, and would likely remain so unless they chose to study in this field of their own accord -- but she knew they needed to know how to hunt properly, and to heal was another skill they should know something of. And yet Novel seemed willing to keep them somewhat secluded, letting her own fears rule the family, though being held prisoner hadn't helped. Now at least they could leave their home to explore, to teach their sons that there was far more in this world than just the inside of their den and the small area surrounding their home.
Psalm seemed interested in the prospect of hunting , though a bit oblivious as to what she expected from him. "Keep that scent in your nose," she told him with a smile as he gazed at her with serious eyes. "Try to pay attention to it. Now we'll follow it." He was easily distracted and she knew that the many other scents that surrounded them could pull his attention away from it easily. "You have to be very quiet though," she instructed him, dropping her voice to a quiet whisper as she crept forward, urging Psalm to follow her. "Otherwise we might scare it off and you'll end up hungry still." A small, playful smile teased her lips as she nudged him gently.
