He and his littermates had been given some freedom to explore both Mount Volkan and Redbud Nook. At their age, some may have disagreed that had been too much freedom. Ghoul would have to disagree to some extent. Except for the fact that he was currently moseying his way back to the den with a particularly new aesthetic. Prior to meeting the cloaked figure, the pale spotted boy had had a lush tail that reached his ankles. Now? Well, it was reminiscent of a deer. Uncertain how his mother would feel about it, he had waited until the sun began to rise over the sides of Mount Vulkan to make his way home. Reaching the den, the growing pup hesitated. This late into the morning, mom was surely sleeping. Right?

These damn kids would be the death of her. If it wasn't all of them refusing to be corralled before dawn to be laid down to sleep, it was Viscera going out to look at all the colors and now, even more concerning of all, Ghoul winding up missing from the puppy pile. Ghoul who was her little shadow, who wasn't particularly adventurous when compared to his siblings. So when she'd been awoken by Lilith hurriedly telling her the pink boy was missing Recluse couldn't help the thrill of fear that went through her. It had taken a moment to collect herself enough to figure out what she wanted to do. Finally she instructed Lilith to remain behind and make sure none of the other pups escaped while she went out to look for their missing brother.

She wouldn't call for Galho yet, if she couldn't pick up the boy's trail or it took her beyond the pack borders she would need his guidance but as he was nocturnal himself she was loath to wake him, knowing it would take him some time to respond though he would never ignore a call from his mistress.

Luckily she would not need the Potoo's help. Her son's scent would reach her practically just outside the den and she squinted down at a blurry shape that had to be her son. (Damn the sun and it's affect on her vision!) "Ghoul!" She said, her tone that sound that told every child who'd ever heard it that they were in deep shit. But as she approached she would attempt to scoop the blurry shape that was her son towards her and press him to her chest as she leaned down towards her, her heart hammering and a wash of relief flooding over her. He was safe.



Speech

Art by Vethysnia

Venturing away from the den was indeed unusual of him, but he hadn't thought that mother would notice. They were nocturnal and his assumption that she left during the day to deal with pack things while they slept had been wrong. A quiet ruckus within the den made his ears swivel as he stood by the entrance, hesitant to enter with fear of what his mother would think. Inhaling a deep breath, the pale spotted boy closed his rosy eyes briefly when he heard the scramble of his mother's paws on stone. Her lashing tone of disappointment hit him like a brick and his eyes instantly began to well. When she reaches out to pull him into her, he snuggles up close to her chest. "Mama, I'm so sorry," Ghoul mumbled into her soft fur. "I promise I didn't go outside of our territory," he whimpered as he continued to try and curl up closer to her. "I-I sorry about my tail," his shaky voice admits his wrong-doing even though it technically wasn't his fault. How could he have said no to "purchasing" an item from the mysterious figure? He didn't even have to do anything for the currency!

Recluse squeezed her son closer to her, gently placing kisses along the crown of his skull. She heard his mumbled apology and took a deep breath, her attention and curiosity immediately piqued by his mention of his tail but she knew what had to come next first. She gently held him and leaned down so that he could hear her clearly. "I know, when I realized you were gone I was so scared. There are things in the world that wouldn't hesitate to hurt you, sometimes so bad that we might never see each other again and I was very scared you'd been hurt badly. That's why we have rules, to help protect each other until you're old enough to protect yourselves better." She explained it slowly, making sure he could understand why she'd reacted how she had.

"But you are safe." That was the most important thing and she kissed his head again. "Come let us return to the den and we can look at your tail together okay?" She would rise to gently usher him back into the den, lifting a forepaw and holding a claw up to her lip, making a shushing gesture and winking to her son. For all the panic she'd just been put though the thing she still cared the most about was to make sure he was reassured and safe.


Speech

Feeling her lips caress the crown of his spotted head was comforting. His blubbering cry stopped quickly as she leaned down to speak clearly to him. Her words help a deep impact on him as he listened. Suddenly realizing that he really had no idea what was outside of pack lands made him worried. What about her, though? Was she safe leaving the den, too? Ghoul could feel his stomach drop and his heart flutter as worry washed over him. If there were dangerous things that could take them away from each other, was it ever safe to leave? Thankfully, he understood clearly that he surely wasn't ever going to leave again. "I promise I'll be good, mama" Nodding into her fur, he smiled gently now as she pulled away and ushered him toward the den. Ghoul beamed up at her with a love that only a pup could hold for their mom. Smiling, he understood the assignment of moving into the den quietly where they would be safer. Hurrying after his mother, he scuttled into the den with as quiet a step as his large paws would allow him. Once they were inside, he looked up to her with a slight frown. "See my tail, mama. It's short now!" Ghoul exclaimed in a hushed whisper that probably was too loud either way.