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With the comforting nudge from his father and the company of his brother the shy pup scooched out a little. His mother had told them it was important to behave and be nice to their uncle and he was determined to do his part correctly. Puffing out his little chest, trying to stand like daddy did, he took a few hesitant steps forward.

"Hello uncle Iosef" the little pup intoned seriously, as if it was a solemn duty, then eyed the male more closely. If he had seen him alone, he might have thought of his mother, but Apollo was right - he didn't look quite the same. Oh, the colours, sure, but even with those Iosef looked a little brighter, more vibrant. His head cocked to the side, he wondered if his mother had any other siblings and if they looked more or less like her.

He, afterall, didn't look much like any of his brothers - most of them had at least vestiges of spots similar to their mother - though he, at least, had mothers colouring, something that Tantalus couldn't even claim. Tantalus looked as different to them all as his new sister did, even.

Coming to, he realised he had been staring and quickly averted his eyes. He didn't want his uncle to think he was rude afterall.

Iosef was a little taken aback at Derecho's brazen display of affection; it wasn't something that he was accustomed to, and certainly not something he had expected from his sister. In fact, the entire notion of romance was something he hadn't quite expected from his sister; perhaps he'd thought that the pups had just spontaneously sprouted from the earth?

...Speaking of pups sprouting from the earth! Iosef's eyes locked upon the small white pup, expression quizzical. His initial question was 'who in the world is that', but he held it back for a moment so he could better explore the situation, and after a moment it became clear to him.

"You...were given a daughter," he said, and smiled at Terreis because he knew she must be extremely proud of her. He was, however, a bit baffled...he wasn't entirely sure how to react to this new development. "Hello there," he said, crouching down to his belly so that he could be on eye-level with her. "And where did you come from, little one?"

To say Derecho was a little bit irritated by the way Terreis treated th white pup with so much affection - while ignoring her own boys for the most part was a bit of an understatement. "She was found in the woods" He informed Iosef trying to keep the irritation from his voice. It wasn't the pups fault after all and Derecho did try and treat her with the same kindness and affection he did his sons - but it was a bit of a thorn in his paw none the less. Shouldn't Terreis care more for her own flesh and blood?

Deciding to put these thougnts from his mind he let his eyes search about for Tantalus, finally spotting his black and white son still laying in the den, he looked to be asleep thought Derecho doubted that was truly the case. He'd let him alone regardless as the pup had not been excited to meet his Uncle and Derecho wasn't going to force it on him.

Apollo watched as his uncle fawned over his adopted sister - and pretty much assumed that that would be the end of the attention for he and his brothers. Lifting a hind paw to scratch behind hi ear he gave a brief yawn and then wandered off towards Tantalus. "Uncle like girls too" He whispered to his black and white brother before settling down nearby in a bit of a huff.

Iosef smiled at the little albino girl, and then straightened, looking up at Derecho. He struggled to meet the other wolf's eyes, but knew it would be important to do so -- for Iosef wasn't stupid, and he could feel the tension in the air. He suspected he knew something of what was in Derecho's mind. He could see both sides of the issue...and that didn't make it much easier to deal with. "It was kind of you to take her in," he said, being sure it was clear he was addressing Derecho. "From what I have heard of your pack, that is a value that you esteem highly here -- and as a wolf that was once alone, and lost...it is something that means a great deal."

He lowered his head then, feeling he had spoken entirely too much, and perhaps out of turn.

Balios looked around, fidgeting a little. Well, this was no good. Apollo was off to join Tantalus for a good sulk, and that wouldn't do anybody much good.

He stood to follow his brother, but stopped at his mother's words, eyes lighting up. "Of course! I want to play with Uncle!" He said, his tail waving behind him. He bounded forward exuberantly, coming in alongside Iolaus -- and then, because his ever-present desire for fairness got the better of him, he glanced achingly at Guinevere. He didn't really want her to play with them, but at the same time, he didn't like leaving her out. That's what it always came down to, boys against girls, even if the boys got something good for once. What Balios really wanted was equality.

"You can come play with us too, if you like," he said, rather boldly, to his adopted sister. "...But if it's too bright out, or you don't want to wrestle, you don't have to. But you can!" Then, furtively, he glanced around at his brothers, a little afraid at their reactions to his offer.

At his sister's decree, Iosef's eyes brightened greatly, and his own tail wagged very much like a pup's. "Careful!" He announced, backing away and assuming a playful position. He was grateful that the pups involved were all to be males; it made playing with them easier, as there was no difference in rank between them. "Uncle Iosef is very good at chasing rats...and you lot aren't a whole lot bigger, now are you?" He grinned, and let out an excited bark, for all the world like a child. "Come show me you're more'n a bunch of mice, you scoundrels!"

Corinth could feel the tension in the air and it made his body feel as if it had prickles all over. The glooming presence of two brothers closing themself off in the den, though, possibly upset him more than his mother and father's usual tetchiness - which was something he was more used to.

Since mother had asked if they wanted to play with their uncle he was of course not going to deny the opportunity, but he didn't want to rock the boat and waited until Balios spoke up before adding a quite "yeah, lets play together" including Guinevere in his gaze. He was impressed by Balios' idea to include her - he probably wouldn't have thought of it and willingness to let her join in would look good for mother, right?

"Hey, we're way bigger than rats!" his childish tones hinted at mock seriousness, and slight indignity. Warming to his uncle's soft nature and puppyish ways - so unlike his own parents - he ventured forward by himself, mock-crawling as if stalking the prey he would, one day, hopefully catch.

He was getting better, at this sort of thing, though he glanced once or twice over his shoulder at Balios, as if seeking confirmation from his more confident sibling.

Irritation started to set in as she watched Derecho. She knew he was gruff for the most part but it was like he didn't wish Iosef to be here at all, and that pissed her off because he knew how important Iosef was to her. And so what if he paid attention to Guinevere, wasn't he playing with the boys now? Besides Terreis had told them to play without Guinevere so as to give them a better chance to have undivided attention. Making sure to sit close to Derecho, she spoke a bit softly but didn't think it would matter if the others heard her or not. "You could be a little more welcoming you know."

Her eyes moved to the pups as they started to play, including shy little Corinth. Well at least most of them seemed eager to do so. Terreis was fully well away that Apollo and Tantalus where hiding in the den, not wanting to participate. They certainly had their father's stubbornness. Fine, if they didn't want to participate or care than neither would she - two less bodies to keep her eyes on anyways. "You can play if you wish." She said to Guinevere, though if the girl didn't want to join in that was just fine, Terreis could always take her someplace to do something and leave the boys to either play or ignore each other.


Guinevere watched with curiosity as three of her brothers and her new uncle began to play. Part of her wanted to join in, who wouldn't want to play right, and besides she didn't mind the rough housing one bit, mother had after all began teaching her the ways of Antianeira. But then again Terreis had said she would stay here while the boys went off to play, so that is what she would do - for now at least. If the urge to play became too great Guinevere would certainly jump in then. "No, you play with uncle Iosef, I'll stay here." She told them with a smile so as to make them think she was happy that they offered her the chance - which she was of course.


Iolaus wondered just why Apollo and Tantalus weren't out here. There was plenty of fun to be had for all of them, they played with father all the time, what made their uncle so different. Oh well, it just meant a bit more attention could be placed upon him, which Iolaus did enjoy. His attention turned to Guinevere as both Balios and Corinth offered for her to join in. He didn't mind either way, but when she declined the offer he smiled at her. "You can join in later if you wish." He told her and then turned his attention back to Iosef, who was bend down in that classic playful manner. "Get him! Go for the legs." He yelled and then charged forward, leaping at Iosef trying to land on his back so he could help to force him down while his brothers went after his legs. Iolaus let out a playful bark and a bit of a growl as he came downwards. He would be the hero this time.

Corinth followed suit, heeding his brother's cry and going for his uncles legs. Knowing that it had worked before, he would his way around the ankles of the adult, wriggling and diving back and forth. Although he normally deliberately tried not to get under-foot, he knew this tactic was a way to play at 'fighting' without actually having to get too snappy or pushy. He was part of the team, but not having to be overly physical.

He was learning to enjoy it - not so much the rough and tumble, but the group mentality, the willingness to join in under direction. His tail wagged softly, if a little low, as he helped his brothers take on his uncle.