Word Count :: 473 MUCH PUPPY RAMBLING.
This scene would undoubtedly be hysterical to any passerby who happened upon the two cubs. The tentative, shy motions of the ringed tawny girl as she sidled toward her ragdoll toy as well as the erect ears and tail of the bigger yellow boy were so simple and amusing to adults. However, to Skoll Haskel, this situation was a very real one that he was in charge in as a prince and a loyal member of Cour des Miracles. He saw it less like a game and more of a challenge: one that he needed to overcome to further prove himself to his father. His desire to please Vigilante kept him on good behavior while his instincts strengthened his dominant posture. He was like any other patrolling the border and coming across an outsider.
The blue-eyed girl was confused by the terms he threw out, and Skoll—used to everyone acknowledging his prince-hood and knowing immediately of his pack—wrinkled his forehead at her in disbelief. So maybe she didn’t know the name of the pack he ran with—but she didn’t know what a pack was? Surely she was just joking with him!
“King is leader—like—alpha—or—” Skoll didn’t really know any other terms for a leader, having no idea as to the ranks of other packs. He cocked his head and plopped his butt on the snowy grass as he gave his explanation thought. “Leader leads an’ take care of th’pack,” he went on with an outstretched paw to clumsily gesticulate and a sagely nod. “He good an’ wise an’ brave an’ strong.” His green eyes brightened with something akin to worship.
“An’ a pack—” Well, that term was a bit harder to describe; it sang more in his blood and canine heritage than anything else. Squinting, he tried his best to explain. “Pack like—big family.” He nodded and grinned. “Big family, take care each other an’ hunt together an’ fight together, all together. Pack has lossa wolfs and dogs.” He wagged his tail with internal pride that he happened to be both; and this girl seemed to be both, too, if her half-flopped ears and curly tail were any indication. His eyes squinted in a happy manner, nothing but friendly. “Cour des Miracles my pack, an’ King Vigilante—my daddy—the leader.”
As the chocolate-colored girl pondered his question, offering an answer before lowering her eyes shyly, Skoll Haskel nodded—though he frowned now, troubled. Why wouldn’t she have a pack? Wasn’t it better for her to be together and protected? He was only reassured somewhat by the fact that she had brothers, and he wagged his tail slightly to encourage her.
“I gotta broder an’ a sister,” the blonde boy said. “You gotta mom and daddy?” It was strange she hadn’t mentioned them, either.
Image courtesy of Christos Tsoumplekas@Flickr; table by the Mentors!
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