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 Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:08 pm
 Aduial wove her way quietly through the trees, a soft smile playing upon her dark maw. She was playing a game she often played with herself, both for her entertainment and because it helped her to develop the inherent grace and poise she had been gifted with: the 'watch your paws' game.
The mechanics were simple enough. Her goal was to walk between the trees without making a sound, while stepping only upon the fallen leaves.
It was harder than it sounded, though. Leaves had a tendency to rustle when stepped upon improperly, and were often slippery. Maintaining your footing while walking upon slick turf took superior balance.
Also, it was a quiet game. And Aduial liked quiet games.
She paused, her small body stretched between the shadows, leaves beneath each of her paws, and glanced over her shoulder. She was alone, for now, and that suited her well enough. It wasn't that she had a problem with her siblings -- or any other pups in her pack -- it was only that they so often did not appreciate the simple joy of a quiet game played in solitude.
Shrugging to herself, Aduial continued forward in her game, humming quietly beneath her breath.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 1:47 pm
 Slipping away from her siblings Athena set off to find something of interest to observe. The thirst for knowledge was ever present and she would do just about anything to learn something. Padding along quickly she wondered just what she could find today to help satisfy that need. Perhaps an interesting creature would cross her path, or a new type of plant could be found or - she brought her paws to a stop. Head tipped to the side as she watched a dark colored pup move around the trees a good distance away. That was one of the Alpha's pups she knew, as there were currently only two litters within the pack. Wonder what she is up to, Athena thought.
Creeping forward slowly, trying to keep hidden within the bushes so she could watch her target without being seen Athena made her way to a spot that was closer. Here she could hide under a bush that provided her with good cover but also allowed for a clear view of the pup. Lowering herself down, careful not to bump into anything to to give her position away. Once in a comfortable spot she set her eyes on the other pup quietly watching her, trying to figure out just what she was doing.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 2:15 pm
Cernunnos was never really one for idling his time away in the dens; he liked to be out amongst the forest trees, little nose to the air, eyes darting about in every which way in search of something to watch or to follow. He had been early to rise, but slow to react, seeing just outside the dens a peculiar type of bird flitting about the forest canopy, and losing an unknown amount of time to watching its twittering antics he finally came to an exciting idea; today would be his day to follow the birds, to watch the different species and perhaps figure out just what they liked to do during their day. He knew plenty of types of birds, like swallows and sparrows and robins, but perhaps there were some out and about that he only had foggy knowledge of - like orioles, or cardinals, the brighter breeds that stuck out like sore paws amongst the browns of the more common birds.
That was an exciting thought for Cern, and setting out without the slightest clue that his sister Athena had taken to the forest for the day as well, he began marking the places where flocks liked to congregate. Woodpeckers with bright red head feathers and black wings seemed to like banging on harder trees, ospreys preferred to sit peacefully alongside the riverbank, and occasionally he could spy an owl hiding from sunlight in high, hollow tree nests. Mourning doves were probably his very favourite, he figured, as he watched one dunny head peek out from the canopy above. They didn’t chirp or caw, like most other birds did - rather, they sung slow, crooning songs, a steady rhythm that was identifiable, clear, and hauntingly beautiful.
He was so preoccupied with his bird watching that other than the occasional glance to make sure he wasn’t wandering into danger, his eyes were on the sky; he wasn’t even particularly aware of the little black-and-blue pup who shared this part of the forest, or his sly sister who kept well-hidden in the foliage. He only heard a soft humming, and figuring that he must be close to a stand of honeysuckle (and therefore near a spot frequented by hummingbirds), he wandered on through - still watching the mourning dove, who had moved its round body to a different perch to peck at seeds.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 2:46 pm
Aduial paused, an ear flicking. She glanced again over her shoulder, stopped, and did a double-take -- she had almost missed the male pup for a moment, so well did he blend in with the foliage.
Brow furrowing, she tilted her head and -- temporarily abandoning her game -- turned to get a better look at the other pup. Why was he staring up at the sky, she wondered? She glanced upward but found nothing of interest, and immediately returned her curious gaze to him, rolling back upon her haunches. "Hello," she called, softly. "I don't think I've met you, before."
For the moment, she was still quite oblivious of the other pup that watched them from the shadows.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:23 pm
Just as she was starting to figure out just what the dark color pup was up to, bam she stopped. Eyes moved to the newest pup in the picture and inwardly cursed her brother. Why did he have to go and ruin her quiet observation like that? Granted he didn't know she was hiding under this bush, but still, it was so annoying when her study subject was interrupted of it's behavior. Letting out a soft sigh Athena decided not to yet reveal where she was, but instead stay hidden and watch the interaction of her brother and the Alpha's pup.
Perhaps she would learn something about the social qualities of this new pup instead of whatever game it was she had seemed to be playing with herself. All information had value no matter how insignificant it seemed at the time.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:33 pm
“Oh?”
Cern hadn’t been expecting he hear a voice, and at first was still unaware he was accompanied by another pup. But when he finally managed to tear mossy eyes from the now-preening dove, and finally took in the sight of the dark little girl who had so very softly addressed him, his face lit up with a smile. “Well, hello to you, too!” he greeted, waggling his tail and tilting his head just so. He didn’t know her directly, but she looked uncannily like the alphas - so she was one of their daughters, then, though the idea of any rank coming with her birth was lost on him. “Mmm, I don’t think we’ve met, either, but there’s always time for greetings. I’m Cernunnos, but that’s sorta long, so you can call me Cern!”
Above his head a bird took wing, and tilting his head back so sharply he landed on his own haunches he watched an auburn thrush take wing; a moment of excitement lifted his front paws in the air, as though he might catch the bird if he leapt high enough, but then remembering his company he bashfully settled himself to the ground. “Sorry, I was watching the birds earlier. They’re very interesting, I think. Anyways, what’s your name?”
He had absolutely no idea that he was interfering with any sort of study, nor did he know that his actions were being judged, remaining oblivious to Athena while he chattered away.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:17 pm
"Watching the birds?" She asked, her head still tilted with a sort of gentle curiosity. How odd. But interesting, too, in a way. Certainly better than the sorts of rough-housing and chasing games that she was so utterly bored with.
She glanced back over her shoulder, feeling the oddest sensation as though eyes were lurking upon her from the shadows. She cast her eyes about the area, paused, and then shrugged to herself and looked back to the male before her. "Cernunnos," she said, dipping her head in formal greeting. "I am Aduial," she said then, with an ear flick, still half-convinced that she was being watched. She returned her attentions fully to the green pup. "One of the alpha pups."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:07 pm
So she was an alpha pup, then - should he react differently, or keep talking as though she was any other pup in the pack? Cern was convinced of the former, of course, as Aduial responded with smooth, formal words that seemed a little odd to be coming from the mouth of one so young. “It’s a pleasure to meet you then, Aduial,” he smiled, sitting up a bit straighter and nodding his head politely. “I know it sounds a little odd, but I think watching birds is fun. Have you ever given it a try?”
He noticed a sort of unease to the alpha pup’s movements, as she looked this way and that, and glancing about slowly himself he wondered if something else was wandering about the woods. It wasn’t such an odd idea, but he was curious to know who - or what - it could be, and began taking steady breaths in through his wiggling black nose…
Now there was a familiar scent. Could it be…
His eyes began to range through the brush, searching for a spot of green that happened to differ just slightly from the leafy foliage.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:54 pm
So far nothing overly interesting going on between them. Just two pups, meeting for the first time, though it was obvious to Athena that Aduial was quite proud to be one of the Alpha's pups. Hopefully she would not grow to be a snooty wolf who looks down upon those who are of a lesser rank. But that begged the question were there different ranks among the pups or were they all considered equals at this point?
Unconsciously flinching as she watched Aduial and then Cern look in her direction, as if they knew she was hiding there but not quite able to see them. She didn't want to be known as a snoop, so she slowly backed up, making sure her paws didn't land on any twigs or leaves, to give away her position. Once she was free from the bush and hopefully still their sight Athena backtracked a bit, sticking to where the foliage was thickest and then looped around the pair, coming from the direction Cern has been. Perhaps if she made it look like she was searching for her brother they might not realize that it had been her watching them the whole time.
"Cern!" She called out as she approached the pair. Then let her eyes fall upon her brother. "Cern, there you are. I've been looking for you." Of course her eyes drifted to the black pup and she put on a genuinely surprised look as if she hadn't expected to see her. "Oh, hello there."
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:19 pm
She shook her head. "I have not," she said, considering the potential, "Although it does sound like fun. Would you like to teach me how?" She tilted her head curiously, and was about to speak further, when they were interrupted by another female.
Her eyes darted to the vine-marked pup, and judged immediately from her appearance that she must be related to the male she was speaking to. "Hello," she said, quite politely, addressing the pups the way she would address a foreign embassy. "We were just introducing ourselves. My name is Aduial."
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:12 pm
Could she really be interested in watching the birds, too? “Oh, sure, I could teach you!” he chimed enthusiastically, wondering where the best place to start might be. “Bird watching is actually pretty easy, I think. So long as you don’t mind quietly sitting, or staring up for a long time.”
Then, he heard his name.
Cern had been more than convinced that the familiar scent of his sister had been coming from a completely different spot of the forest, a look of surprise growing on his face when Athena came up practically behind him; though perhaps he just hadn’t gotten the hang of following scents, that always stood as a possibility. He was thrilled enough to know that he had, indeed, scented her before he had been able to see her, and shifting himself a bit sideways so that he could easily see both Athena and Aduial he let his tail bang away at the forest floor as it usually did during greetings. He didn’t want to interrupt Aduial as she courteously addressed his sister, who did an incredible act of looking surprised - if he hadn’t known her as his sister, he would have been completely convinced that she had not seen Aduial first. But Athena was the smart, observant one, and there was no doubt in his mind that she had known the other pup was there with him before she had even started to say his name. “Athena!” he said with a particularly warm grin, enjoying the overall atmosphere of the meet-and-greet. “Sorry I wasn't at the dens. Do you need me for something?”
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:16 pm
Throwing a small smile at her brother Athena then looked at the female pup. "Aduial, it's nice to meet you. You are one of Haku and Macha's daughters correct?" Athena knew she was but it was all part of the game of pretending she only half knew things. Lowering herself onto her haunches she sat looking between the two before speaking once more. "As my brother has stated my name is Athena." And then she looked towards Cern. "Oh, no I didn't need anything. I was just wondering where you were."
Perhaps this little spying experiment wasn't completely wasted. It was often rare to get such an up close encounter with the one you wished to observe. If she played her cards right Athena could still learn much about the dark colored pup while also possibly making a new friend. "So what are you two up to?" Her tail wagged enthusiastically as she asked the question. Oh yes, she could play along nicely without them ever knowing she was only here to gather information.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:50 am
Aduial smiled a welcoming smile to Athena -- she was quite pleased with the way these older pups handled themselves. Why hadn't she found their company sooner? "Your brother was just going to show me how to watch birds," she said; while many would have found that pasttime quite boring, Aduial was still somewhat intrigued by the concept.
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:42 pm
Already while his sister and Aduial became acquainted Cern was on the hunt; he hadn’t yet moved from his seat, but his eyes were once again picking through the bushes and the trees, his mind racing through known feeding grounds for the kind of bird he figured Aduial and Athena would enjoy the most. “Do you want to join us?” he asked, head thrown over his shoulder as his ears heard something small hopping about in the leaves.
Already he had thought of a good bird to hunt down - something blue, but somewhat large, and very pretty, though it was only a guess that it would be in this forest at this time of year. He had once had migration explained to him, how some birds and animals moved around according to feeding and breeding spots, and it would be awful if his target was too far away to find! “I know there’s a bird I think you two would like, but it might take some time to find it today,” he explained as he lowered into a crouch, sniffing the air. “But already I can see an oriol. Up there, see it?”
The little yellow and black bird had yet to make a sound, perched low on a bush somewhat to their left, and pointing his muzzle at it he fell completely still.
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Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:50 pm
Athena looked between the two with a smile. "I would love to come along." This would not only give her an opportunity to learn more about different birds, which was clearly something Cern had an interest in as well as a good knowledge of. It would also give her a chance to better know one of her fellow pack mates.
Raising her eyes up to the trees and bushes Athena scanned the leaves and branches until she spotted the bird that Cern had indicated. "Yes, there it is." She said a little bit excitedly, but the chance to learn something new was always exciting. Her eyes stayed on the small bird, watching it move about, her mind went into study mode, tucking every little bit of info she could gather about this bird away for later and would supplement it with whatever information that her brother would add.
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