the big wide world

Now that the pups were mostly mobile Argent was beginning to understand why he had four paws. One to keep each of them within the safe boundary of the cabin's main room. He was still a little apprehensive about their first big day out, but he couldn't deny his children the pleasure of exploring the world for the first time. It was Riften who was awake first, bright silver eyes watching expectantly and he knew his son was thinking about going outside. The pups had become restless little tornadoes of terror and Argent hoped that this might succeed in tiring them out. He didn't think he had any more energy for tail tug of war or playing their favourite game of chewing their way through the cabin. Still even though he was exhausted he couldn't remember ever being happier in his life and he was certain that Merrin felt the same.

Right then. Time to go. Stay close, now bubs, he reminded them, watching with pride as his chubby little sandstone son took his first steps out into the world, chocolate tail wagging excitedly. Luckily the creek wasn't far away and he knew the safest route for them to take. He kept a watchful eye on the progress of their family, not wanting one of their little ones to wander away. It was all too easy for them to get distracted by all the new sights and smells. He could already tell that Riften had smelled something by the way his chocolate nose was twitching. C'mon Rif. This way, he nudged the distracted pup back into line, ignoring his squeaks of complaint.

Look at this! he called everyone excitedly, lifting a paw to splash in the water. It seemed to be enough to attract Riften's attention because he was soon romping towards the water with his tongue hanging out.

Art by Ashon

Merrin stayed as close to her children as a shadow might. If her anxiety had any say, they would've never left the cabin at all, but that was not the reality they lived in, she was well aware of that. Luciel was able to talk her into a family outing to a creek nearby to introduce the pups to his favorite past-time of playing in water. She tried to remain in the mindset of being excited for this change. This would be the very first time the children had set foot outside their home into a world unknown.

All the same, Merrin constantly looked over her shoulder, lavender orbs flicking about nervously the further they ventured away from home. With every rustle of leaves or drop of an acorn, the fur along her neck and spine would bristle, but she did her best to conceal her uneasiness around her sons and daughter. The pups were already cognizant of the mannerisms of their father and herself so she had to be careful of her reactions while on their adventure. She even had to hold herself back from growling at a squirrel that had ventured too close.

When they finally reached the water of the creek, it was truly a relief. The flowing water captured the attention of all the little ones so that they were not all trying to toddle in separate directions. It was Riften, however, who seemed to carry on his father's love for water. The boy immediately scampered after Luciel to join him in a splashing game and somehow simply watching this, the tension in Merrin's muscles started to relax.

The other two pups curiously sniffed at the water and pawed at it tentatively. Merrin smiled before she trotted herself into the shallows of the creek and swept some of the water towards Luciel and Riften with a mischievous grin. A squeal of delight rose up from Riften and he raced towards her, jumping up as high as he could to impact the water again with a great splash. Merrin laughed aloud, trying to skirt away from the two, now three, now four who were intent on getting her wet and while she kept herself a head of the chase, she did find herself slipping through a patch of mud.

Merrin blinked up at the pups in surprise just before they all slid through the muck, colliding into one another with laughter. Riften grinned devilishly at her and suddenly there was more than water she was trying to escape. She was too slow to react and the front of her coat was spattered with mud. Lenora took to jumping on her younger brother to defend her mother's honor, this event now turning into a mud wrestling competition. Atlas meanwhile seemed to be preoccupied with the sensation of the squishy clay in between his toes. She chuckled and looked over at Luciel with a warm smile. "You've chosen a grand adventure, I'd say." There was a glint in her lavender orbs before she was after her mate, intent on painting his alabaster coat, darkening it with mud. They were all going to need a bath after this anyway!

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven