Spring’s canvas displayed a variety of paints. Their different shades splattered the dark sky. Leaving behind a remarkable contrast of colorations. Amongst them, each sparkling white dot shown brightly. To give off a profound impression of life. It was what always drew Cressida away from the confines of her siblings. Their warm bodies bundled together beneath the softness of their mother’s embrace.

She found herself pulled towards it. Gravitating to the wide mouth of their den to settle just outside of the gapped entrance. Those unmatched eyes of hers capturing every moment that presented itself. Lost in a world that was only meant for her and hers alone.

Ears would find themselves moving about to every single sound. There was absolutely nothing she did not catch. Nightly calls of wide eyed birds from high in the towering trees. Rustling leaves from distant branches danced in the cool breeze. The flutter of something or even the shuffle of a creature on the melting white blanket. It didn’t matter to her because this had became her sanctuary. A moments time to be alone.

Cressida could hear the soft slumbers from those behind her. Gaze every so often shifting to check that none had awaken to disturb her peace. Not like she didn’t care for the comforts and presence of her beloved siblings. It just wasn’t always preferred in situations such as these.

With a subtle scratch to her left ear, she pressed on a bit more. Away from home and began to wander to a nearby tree. At the base lay a hollowed out opening. Her nose easily scenting out and investigating to ensure it was indeed empty; before, slowly descending into the welcomed darkness.

The world around him was quiet aside from the soft snores of his siblings and the gentle press of paws against dirt. Upon the precarious shift of warmth and pressure, Maelstrom's eyes open, that shifting of mauve to violet blinking wide, soaking in the dim surroundings. Everyone appeared to be asleep around him minus one. A certain starry-coated pastel sister that was soon slinking from the entrance of the den. One of his brow's lift, wondering where she was off to alone, unsupervised. Unwilling to miss out on any potential fun, he makes work of untangling his limbs from those of his other siblings. Keeping his body low to the ground, chest nearly brushing the dirt, he lags behind a few feet or so. His piercing gaze is still directed on Cressida, but also to the world around them. White pinpoints scatter above them, stars had been what mother called the blanket of celestial wonder he so lovingly enjoyed staring at. Tall pines reached for the darkness as if wanting to grab a star for themselves. They would sway gently in the breeze, a note of warmth keying nearby animals in that winter was receding and spring was soon on its way. Much of this didn't make sense to the young boy yet, but he would soon understand most of the intricacies of the world around him. For now, he would utilize the soft dirt and leaf litter full of pine needles and berry bush leaves to muffle his steps. Still keeping pace with his sister as she ducked down into an abandoned den hole beneath a tree, he stalks her. Patient, waiting for the right moment to pounce. MAELSTROM

1/3 explore new land - the polar sound
1/3 tracked another character

Various scents overwhelmed her senses. She couldn’t quite decipher what was causing the smells. And yet, she wanted nothing more but to explore it even further.

One small, dainty paw would reach out to dig at a pile of rubble. Rocks, twigs and what appeared to be dried leaves scattered away from her assault. The pungent musk was becoming stronger with every second that passed. It only urged her to continue on. Using both paws now to speed up the process.

Cressida nearly screamed out. When she finally came upon what was causing the aroma. Beneath the gathered debris lay a carcass. Bones still intact, held together by the fading of fur and old flesh. It was quite a sight seeing something like this up close. Of course she’d seen her mother eat something similar; but, hadn’t had much need to be curious of such until now.

Using her puppy teeth, she attempted to drag the morsel out the same way she came. Only. It was proving to be a bit difficult due to her size. This made a huff of annoyance leave. Standing just outside the empty entrance. Whilst her new find sat in wait.

Maelstrom notices how the trees bend in the wind that picks up through the night. Was a storm to be coming their way? And with it, more scents come toward him. The scent of deer traveling deeper into the valley of the sound. The scent of new life sprouting from beneath a layer of frost. The far off sound of water cascading down steep cliff faces and through eroded stone. Everything was new and enticing, a whole world to explore, but he also had something else to focus on too. From his hiding spot in the shadows, he could hear her yelp in surprise. Staying close to the ground, crouched as low as he could, he waits. The sound hadn't been one of pain or fear so he felt no urgency to rush in after her. No, instead, he waits, training his patience as he sees her begin to drag something out of the abandoned den. From her posture and defeated expression, he wondered if she did need help... Well, that wouldn't help his game of stalk and surprise now would it? MAELSTROM

2/3 explore new land - the polar sound
2/3 tracked another character