She couldn't say she wasn't amused, watching the small pup play outside. Terra had met Skoll once before, when she'd been wounded. Her main impression was that the pup was overly hyper and loved to play. Seeing him just proved her impression. Languidly Terra sat in the shade, watching the pup chase after the ball. It crossed her mind that the pup should probably have someone watching him, and since she was there she took up the task. Terra had grown in a pack where pups were raised by the group. Whether or not it was the same here didn't matter as that was the impression in her mind. She'd watch the pup until his mother or Liam came to collect him.


Terra had managed to wear herself out over the past few days, with a fresh injury marking her shoulder. She had a feeling she wouldn't be as lucky as she had in the past, and would probably end up with a small scar there. It was a shame, but with her life it was bound to happen sooner or later. Not even a pack could protect her from her own sense of adventure. Terra had even managed to make it up north, though it took a while for her to find her way back. The pack scent had just been refreshed by the hunt luckily. If it hadn't she could have been mistaken as a stranger, covered in blood and smelling of foreign places.


When the ball fell into the whole Terra chuckled, watching the pup leap into a mini tirade. Obviously he was mimicking someone, but who she wasn't sure. Picking herself up Terra strolled over to the pup. She examined the hole. It was too small for the pup's paws, which meant she would actually have to change to optime form for this. Terra paused, reaching into the part of her mind that started the shift. Bones began to rotate, her fur shifting along her skin. The length always took her by surprise, unused to how big she was. Many of the canines were much larger than her, yet the simple height change still threw her off balance. She'd need more practice to use the optime form with ease. It helped that she could steal more easily in her optime form, and the fact that the few fighting skills she had required it.


Here, let me. Terra reached her hand into the hole, pulling out the ball. It was well chewed, obviously a favorite. Skoll's scent was all over it. For a moment she held it above the puppy, watching it. Want to play? She dropped the ball back to the ground, then waited for the pup's response. He was young, but if she was careful they could play together. Besides, it was her duty to watch the pup. She might as well get some fun out of the deal.

Terra frowned slightly at Skoll's words.A game?She didn't really play games. Well, she supposed it counted as a game when she went hunting for sky people, but that was more of a trick on the poor crazy wolf. An actual game would be more difficult. Her idea of fun mostly involved getting into danger, something that was definitely not appropriate to drag a pup into. Terra sat down on the ground, thinking about what could be done. She'd offered, and there was no taking it back now. Looking back on her past Terra remembered games that she had played as a youth. Dares to go into old buildings, stealing food from grown ups, surprising grown ups, acting out stories. The only one that was even slightly appropriate was acting out a story, and many of them were, well, graphic to say the least. Telling Skoll about Coyote's mateship or a tale of battle would just bring trouble.


Her eyes lit up when an old story occurred to her. It wasn't harmful, and would teach the pup a little bit. It was about how the humans disappeared. We can pretend that we're two leggers when they're about to disappear. She knew that the humans had actually died, but it took too much effort to try and figure out how. With her pack untouched by the virus they hadn't realized it was a sickness that killed the humans off, just that they were there and then they weren't. The story told about how the pack had first arrived at the big city they often played in, destroying the few surviving articles and exploring the strange structures. For Skoll it would probably be quite different, growing up amongst luperci and a humanized culture, but for her the story still rang true. After all, she truly didn't know what had happened to them.

Happily Terra grinned down at the curious puppy. That's right. Humans. The word was weird for her, one she'd learned in 'Souls. Since humans were the only two leggers other than birds in the area, it had made sense to call them that. Terra stood up, towering over the small pup. It felt odd, so she changed back into lupine form, letting the bones crack back into place. They were fierce predators, and once they controlled the entire world. You know how fierce wolves are? Well, even they cowered beneath the two leggers' might. Her image of humans was always very vague, looking a lot like fur-less wolves. They had mighty creatures of metal that did their bidding. Want to be one? Terra had fantasized about the creatures when she was young. Sometimes she fought against them, protecting her pack from them. Other times she was a human herself, in command of everything she saw, completely free.


She crouched down to the pup's height, looking him in the eyes. She growled softly, pretending to be fierce. As a mighty human they could do anything. Terra stood up, balancing on her back legs. It was a trick she'd learned as a pup playing this game, never realizing that someday she'd have only two legs as well. Terra leaned back down, landing on all fours. It was tough to keep the balance up, as impressive as the trick was. She imagined Skoll could have fun with it too as they played. He wouldn't be good at it, but practice would show him. So as humans, want to go check out our metal beasts? Her language was primitive to the other canines in the pack, but it was how she understood it, and no one had bothered to teach her otherwise. Skoll would easily understand it as well. It was much easier than trying to explain machines, something Terra knew nothing about.

Watching Skoll stand on two legs was actually fairly impressive. His balance was still loose, but he would get a hang of it quite quickly. Terra led the way down the path.We'll have to be careful approaching the metal beasts. The humans controlled them with their minds, not even having to speak to tell them what to do. They just sat there and the beasts listened.Terra stopped beside a fallen log before climbing on top, sitting on it. Mister Human, shall we go get food on our metal beast? The game was silly, but Terra enjoyed watching Skoll try to keep up with her. Even his clumsy steps on his back legs was amusing. Terra thought it could count as practice for optime form, but she wasn't sure. Terra hadn't struggled with walking in her optime form, but the change in height had still challenged her.


Skoll didn't seem to grasp how frightening two leggers were, but that was understandable considering that he was born far after the humans had died. Since Terra had been born into a pack much more primitive than this one picturing something stronger than her wasn't difficult. After all, wolves were more powerful than coyotes, and bears were stronger than wolves. It just made sense that the humans who had left such huge remains behind would be even more powerful than that. Carefully she balanced on the log before pushing herself up onto two legs again. It was on a day just like this that the two leggers disappeared. The coyote pack told about the silence that spread, and the fear of the humans preparing for an attack. They had fled deep into hiding, only coming back after a few years had passed. The humans were all dead by that point, and a new generation was starting in the pack.

Terra giggled as Skoll toppled off the log. His balance had been quite impressive for a pup, but he was still ridiculous looking on his back legs. Well, every canine looked silly on their back elgs unless it was optime form. Of course the metal beasts hunted for them! They moved swiftly through the woods, taking anything their masters wished for.Terra leaned forward on the log, pretending to command it to bring them food. The log would have to obey as one of the metal creatures obeying it's human master.


The next part of the story was more serious though. Her pack hadn't known that a disease had killed the humans, just that there'd been a great struggle. They were unable to tell if the two leggers had won or lost, as the human's ways were strange to them. No, wolves didn't defeat them. The two leggers had invented a new metal beast, one that allowed them to travel to the stars, a place we go to when we die. As far as Terra knew, she became a star when she died, following He who Runs with Wolves' footsteps.


Many of the humans wanted this new creature to serve only them, so the humans fought amongs themselves. While the battle waged on, clever two leggers snuck into the new metal beast and went to the stars, looking to start life anew. Terra leaped off the log, landing beside Skoll. So now, Skoll, if we want to survive all the fighting, we must sneak into the new metal beast! Terra pointed to a hollow log. The tree must have been rather large in life, as even a large wolf could have comfortably curled inside. Ready?

Terra didn't actually know if humans hunted on their own. She supposed they must have, as they were so powerful, but the real answer was lost. If Terra had known that the metal beasts that killed for the humans were actually guns she would have been able to answer. Instead she thought the metal beasts did all the work. Terra dashed forward with all the might she could seize, zig zagging like a pro. This was practice for her, being as stealthy as can be. She blended herself into the landscape around her, almost disappearing except for a blur of movement.


She leaped back out again a few feet away from the log, only to stagger to the side. Oh no! The humans have hit me! Bravely Terra fought against the invisible foes, desperately dragging herself towards the log where Skoll awaited for her. Exhausted from the long struggle Terra collapsed, her nose almost touching the log. You'll have to go without me! Terra rolled onto her back, trying to look as helpless and weak as possible.

Terra let out a small oof as Skoll landed on her stomach. She rolled over as he braced against the foes, tiny hackles raised. It was pretty impressive, despite the fact that it was a game. Maybe Skoll would be a warrior when he grew up. He already seemed to have the instincts for it. Taking advantage of Skoll's distractions she darted into the log. I'm in! Come on, it's time to head for the stars! Terra shivered slightly at saying that. No sane canine would want anything to do with the stars until they were ready to die.


Waiting for Skoll to join her Terra crouched down. The next part of the story wouldn't be as fun, as it explained the final disappearance and what the coyotes did afterwards. Still, Skoll seemed to be enjoying himself, and had listened to her story. She didn't know if the canines in her pack had a different story than her for what happened to the humans, but this was the one she knew. It would have to be enough. Besides, it didn't really matter why the humans disappeared. It just mattered whether or not they would return, something no one truly knew. As long as there was a clause allowing for humans to return it didn't matter what was said. Of course, it might be a few centuries before that happened.


Skoll's antics had really amused her (besides getting hit in the stomach) making Terra glad she'd taken the time to watch over him. Sure it was a duty, but it had become a pleasure as well. If anyone asked her to she'd babysit pups anytime. Well, maybe not anytime. Terra still wanted to cause trouble, something she couldn't do with a miniature canine following her.

Terra followed Skoll out of the log, watching him spin in circles. She wasn't sure what it would be like to live among the stars, but she had a feeling it would be quite nice. Still, she was in no hurry to find out and was perfectly happy living where she was. Sitting down neatly she gazed into Skoll's curious eyes. The humans who didn't make it to the star beast died from their wars, leaving no survivors. Canines took their place in the world, becoming the most powerful creatures on the planet. Terra held herself proudly, one of the powerful. Then she dropped her head, her voice low.


The humans are gone for now, and that's true. No one in my generation, or the one before, or even the one before that have seen them. She paused, serious now. But just because the humans are gone, don't think they can't come back. They've gone to the stars, and someday they just might remember us, and return to claim their formal kingdom. That was the end of the story, serious and spooky. Terra didn't want to think about the humans returning, but the warning was important, and had to be passed on.


Straightening herself Terra grinned. And that's why there's no humans! Now come on, let's see if you can tackle me! Terra laid low to the ground, tail wagging. As soon as the pup sprung toward her she was ready to take off, moving as quick as her paws would allow her.

Terra was impressed by Skoll's words. Her reactions when being told that story had been to run and hide behind her mother. Humans terrified her, even knowing they were gone. Well, she hadn't known about luperci back then, and luperci were obviously powerful. They even knew how to use some of the things the humans had left behind. Still, if push came to shove she was sure Skoll would go running back to his parents. He was just a pup. After running for a few feet she twisted around to see Skoll desperately running to catch up. He was too little to match her speed, but he was fast for his age.


With a leap Terra pushed herself over the pup, landing behind him. She rolled over onto the ground, enjoying the smell of the grass. Gently she nudged Skoll before picking him up in her mouth and gently tossing him a few feet away. Growling she prepared to let the pup best her. Not that she would go without any semblance of a fight, of course.

Sharp teeth sank into Terra's shoulder. She was glad she'd finished healing up, or that would have really hurt! Gently she shook herself, trying to dislodge the puppy. He'd hit her with enough force that Terra had stepped back, almost knocked off balance. If it had been anyone with balance problems they would have hit the ground and kept on going. Instead Terra gently nipped at the pup, a gentle growl in her throat. She didn't mind rough housing, but having a pup attached to her shoulder wasn't necessarily comfortable.


An idea struck Terra's mind, and she rolled over, twisting so his grip would loosen. Skoll dislodged, Terra pushed him away, bowing down with her tail wagging rapidly. Little prince, you think you can best me? By no means was Terra a warrior, or even a decent hunter, but she could dodge faster than a cougar could strike, and outrun a horse. It would be enough to take down the pup. Terra lifted her paw, gently hitting the pup on the side, just hard enough to knock him off balance.