Amata! 300+

The room was empty, save for her and the stuffed butterfly. It seemed so much colder in here with everyone else gone. Somehow darker too. The pup was beginning to feel better, but she still had a way to go until she felt like herself again. Whatever that stuff had been she hated it and she hated Naniko for having it. The angry words that had been exchanged before Mati had come and taken her back inside echoed in her mind. The white lady hadn't even cared that she had been hurt. She had thought that Naniko was nice, but any thoughts like that were gone now. As far as Cambria was concerned, she was just as bad as that stuff that she had breathed.



A large sigh exhaled from her small form as clouded sea colored eyes looked out the window. It was still raining and overcast. She wished she could see the sun again. The sun would make her feel better, she knew that it would. But the sun was hiding from her along with her happiness. The raindrops pattered on the roof above her and filtered into her droopy ears. Why wouldn't the rain go away! Why couldn't she be happy again! Frustrated tears welled up in her eyes and she buried her face into the butterfly.



Stubby little tail curled up beneath her and she cried out. "I dun wanna be sad anymores!" Her voice sounded immensely loud in her ears, but in reality it was muffled by the toy and dulled by the rain. The little girl curled up into even more of a ball. Cambria wanted things to be normal again. She wanted her life to go back to normal. She wanted that because if she didn't get it maybe she didn't want to live at all.

300+


        Amata moved quietly in the house. Lately, she had been practicing her quiet-walk, as she called it, because she had realized that it was important for hunting. Sometimes she would practice pouncing on bugs, but she still could not catch the elusive rabbits. Nevertheless, the quietness of her step was improving, although she continued to walk with her claws clicking noisily on the ground. But today it didn’t matter because she was not trying to sneak up on someone or pounce on someone. Today, she intended on seeing her sister, who was still very sad. And her sister’s sadness made Amata sad, and so today she wanted to bring her sister a little surprise.

        The creamy pup walked with her head held highly as she carried a yellow daisy flower in her mouth. She had pulled it right out of the ground, roots and all, and she had felt very strong and accomplished—hence the proud posture. And she carried the bright flower through the house, dragging dirt all over the floor, in her search for Cambria. She’d peek through the doorways, but there was never Cambria. And then—the girl paused, her ears straining to catch the sound of something—or someone. It sounded like a voice, but it was funny and muffled. Maybe that’s Cambi! The small girl quickened her pace, abandoning all attempts at staying quiet, although she was careful to hold the yellow daisy flower carefully.

        She found her sister pressed up against their stuffed butterfly friend. But, as Amata drew near, her pace slowing to a gradual halt, she could clearly see her sister’s distress. A small frown made its way around the flower’s stem, but she quickly tried to push it away. Now was the time for cheering up! Carefully and slowly, the creamy puppy set the flower on the floor. Quietly, she moved towards Cambi, nudging her softly with her nose, nuzzling her lovingly. "Cambi," the girl whispered, making sure to use her happy voice. But, of course, she was excited because she had brought her sister a surprise. "Look," she urged with a smile, stepping aside so that her sister might be able to see what was brought. "I broughts you sumthing!" Sure enough, it was not the bright flower that was being referred to, nor was it the dirt or the orange ladybug. It was a caterpillar, a funny green thing that wiggled around and ate the leaf of the flower. The little girl stood by expectantly, hoping that her sister would be pleased.

So cute! ^^ 300+

It was all too much. Too much for someone so young to deal with. She had thought she would always be safe inside the house. The house had been her pillar of security. It was where she lived, where she had been born, and where all the rest of the pack lived. Nothing bad was supposed to be able to happen within these walls and yet it had. All of her feelings of being safe were shattered. Naniko had been the leader. She was supposed to protect everyone in the pack, especially puppies like her. But she hadn't. She had that awful stuff and had had it in the house where it shouldn't have been at all. Cambria was glad that her mommy had thrown her out. The girl hoped she never saw the pale lady again.



As she was curled up trying to fight off all her bad feelings and failing her ears flicked. Had she heard someone? She thought she had. The house had been so quiet except for the rain and that hadn't been the rain. It had been inside. For a moment she thought about getting up to go find the source of the noise, but that notion quickly passed. What did it matter? The pup doubted that it would make her feel any better. But then the noise got closer and closer until it was in the room with her. She didn't look, but her nose sniffed and recognized the smell of her sister. Her tail wanted to wag, but somehow she couldn't make it.



Though when she felt her lighter sibling nudge and nuzzle her that familiar warmth that she had so been missing came back a little. At the sound of her name her little ears perked back up and she removed her face from the stuffed toy, watery eyes looking up at the mismatched orbs of Amata. She had brought her something? Oh, that was so nice of her. So thoughtful. Cambria loved her sister. Her gaze moved to find what had been brought and her eyes lit up at the site. It was a pretty flower! But it was more than just a flower, there was a funny green buggy on it. The corners of her mouth twitched a little, attempting to smile but not quite making it. Unsteadily she got back to her feet and took tentative steps towards the flower and the bug. The chocolate girl looked at it for a few moments before turning back to her sister. "Wha issit?" She hadn't seen a bug like that before.

^=^~
500+


        
Although the girl was young, she understood the need to be emotionally strong when the time called for it. And her young mind believed that now was the time to be strong. Her whole mission today was to make her sister feel better because her sister was sad, and she didn’t like that her sister was sad. She didn’t like that someone had hurt her, but Mamma had taken care of everything. Nani wasn’t in the house anymore, and she wasn’t in the pack either, so Cambi could be safe now. But Cambi was still sad.... So Amata smiled brightly and wagged her tail, hoping to encourage her sister to be happy and smile too. And the light puppy waited patiently for her sister to respond and to see, and she waited expectantly also, because caterpillars sure were hard to find! Hopefully Cambi would find it cute like she did, and not scary like bees that stung or mosquitoes that bit. This green thing was soft and squishy—she had poked it with her nose once and so she knew. She knew that she shouldn’t have poked it, but she couldn’t help herself, and this time she had been careful to be very gentle. It turned into a funny circle. Maybe she could show Cambi, but not yet.

        
When Cambi finally looked up, her face was wet and her eyes were crying and sad. The wagging of the tail faltered as she stood aside to show her sister what she had brought. And the blue and green eyes watched her sister’s gaze, making sure that she would be able to see the bug and not just the flower and the ladybug. And it seemed that her sister had seen it, although Amata was not yet perceptive enough to see the slight twitch of her sister’s lips—but she sensed it. The creamy tail wagged several times behind her. "Issa cat-pill," the girl explained brightly, although her perception of the adult word was distorted. There was a slight pause as she smiled at her sister. "Cat-pills turns into butterflies!" At least, that was what the adults had taught her. She remembered how Cambi loved the butterflies. Even now she had been with their stuffed butterfly (and Amata had refrained from playing with it so that Cambi could).

        
"I’s thoughts you cans takes care of her—or him." She couldn’t tell if the caterpillar was a girl or a boy, but the greenness made her think that it was a boy. "Dadda readed me a story!" Amata explained quickly. "A human boy tooked cares of a yewling," a yearling, "so you cans takes care of the cat-pill.... Her voice faded in a question, because she wondered if her sister did want to take care of it. She wanted her sister to be happy and play, and she thought that taking care of the green bug would help—it was good for the human boy in the story. And maybe it would really turn into a butterfly!

300+

She supposed she really was getting better, as slow and painful as the process was being. At first, right after it had happened, she hadn't wanted to be around anyone. She had just wanted to be by herself in the dark and not have to think or feel anything anymore. She had never been alone though, always momma was around or Mati or someone else from the pack. They had constantly surveyed her and while she understood why she hadn't wanted it. The pup had been embarrassed and ashamed and sad and all bad things that she could feel. But now she did want to see some people. Not everyone, but she wanted to see her sister and her brother. And momma and dadda, even though she hadn't seen them both at the same time since it had happened. That was a little strange, but she was too caught up in her own depression to think about it much.



A cat-pill? She had never heard of a cat-pill before. The pup liked the name though, it was funny and nice. Her tail twitched a little behind her, as much of a wag as the girl could muster at the moment. Though what her sister said next was one of the most amazing things she had ever heard. Cat-pills, like this one on the flower, turned into butterflies? That was crazy! The cat-pill was cute, but it was not anything like a pretty butterfly. But Cambria knew that Amata would not lie to her, so what she had said must be true. Was it magic? Magic that turned the funny green cat-pill into a bright beautiful butterfly? "Dat sounds wike magiks Amata," said a voice filled with wonder.



Finally a small smile did appear on the Marino's face. She had never considered taking care of anything before. She was so little herself and needed to be taken care of. But maybe she could take care of the little cat-pill. Maybe she could help it grow into a butterfly and see the magic happen. "You weally tinks I can takes care of hims?" she asked her sibling, ocean-like orbs filled with a subtle hope.

300+



        She smile that came to Cambi’s face made Amata light up too. She was glad that her sister could smile—it was much better for Cambi to be happy. It wasn’t fun being sad, Amata knew that. No one wanted to be sad! "It is magiks!" She confirmed after a while of smiling back at her sister. It sure seemed like magic, anyway.

        "Yeahs!" she said with an adamant certainty. "You’s always so nice," she added as an afterthought. Amata liked to be nice to, and she liked nice people, so she strived to be nice and get along. Cambi was very nice—one of the nicest people she knew! And Amata loved her very much. That was why she was going through the trouble to find her the cat-pill. She wouldn’t say so, but the caterpillar took a couple days to find. And the young girl had been very pleased to find the little green, squishy thing sitting there on the flower. That was probably why she had been able to take the entire flower, roots and all. The creamy tail wagged behind her as she nuzzled her sister’s shoulder gently. "You’s will takes good cares of him."

        The blue and green eyes looked at her sister as she pulled away. "Cat-pills eats leaves, I thinks...." She stared off into space for a moment, trying to think of anything else that could help her sister, but that was all that she had observed. Maybe they could ask Mamma later. She nodded to herself before turning back to Cambi. "Yeahs. They’s not hards to takes care of, I thinks." She paused, smiling openly at her sister. "Then he’ll turn into a butterfly, just like magiks! And then we can see how boy butterflies looks like!" That would be a good thing to look foreword to. Then the mystery would be solved!

300+

Amata had no idea that she had given her sister just the thing to pull her out of her depression. In fact, Cambria didn't even know how effective caring for the little insect would be. She knew she needed something to focus on, something to distract her from how badly she felt. So far nothing had been effective at keeping her attention for very long. But this was different. Not only was this something that would depend on her to take care of it, but it was something that would magically turn into her most favorite thing in the world! Already the chocolate pup could feel some of the oppressive darkness that had been smothering her melt away.



Cambria's smile grew and her tail wagged even more as Amata nuzzled her shoulder and affirmed that she would be able to take good care of the cat-pill. She turned and leaned against her sister, the tears in her eyes turning from sad tears to happy ones. What would she do without Amata? "Tanks you so much sissy! I loves you!" Her little voice was filled with more happiness than had been present within her for what seemed like so long. Her sister had done it! She had broken the spell that nasty stuff had put over her! Finally she was free again! She could breathe again.



But then her sister began to speak of what the cat-pill needed to eat and how to take care of him and that quickly brought the girl's mind to attention. Oh yes! She needed to know how to take care of the little green bug. He ate leaves? Well that should be easy enough! Everyday she could go outside and get him fresh leaves. Though it would be a good idea to check with an adult and make sure that was all he needed. The last thing Cambria wanted to do was mess this up. Then Amata brought up a point she hadn't even thought of. Of course! The cat-pill was a boy and when he changed they would be able to see what boy butterflies looked like! "Yes! Ohs I can' waits ta see how da magik happens!" she said, her eyes bright.



A thought came to her puppy mind. "We should tinks of a names for hims." If he was going to be her charge he deserved a name!

300+


        As her sister leaned against her, Amata felt a bright happiness that was as bright as the sun. Looking down, she could see that, even though there were still wet tears in her eyes, her sister was not as sad. And that made Amata feel more than just the relief and happiness that she could explain. Maybe it was the love that she had for her sister that welled up inside her, and also the pride that she felt from being able to make her sister happy. The white Sadira girl smiled. "You’s welcomes, Cambi!" It made all the work that she had gone through to find the silly, elusive cat-pill worth it. A pink tongue came out to give her sister a little kiss on the head. "I loves you toos," she said, and she was happy.

        "Yeahs!" She had never seen a cat-pill turn into a butterfly, so it would be very exciting to see that happen. She hoped that she would not miss it. She thought that the transformation was instantaneous, just like the magic in the stories. But as long as Cambi could see it, that would be okay. "Iss very excitings—I promises!" And even though she didn’t know, she felt that it must be that way, and she felt that little Cambi would not be disappointed.

        "How abouts...." The girl paused, her head tilting as her bi-coloured eyes looked up at the empty ceiling—maybe that funny emptiness where nobody walked would give her an idea. And then, she jumped, looking back at Cambi and wagging her little tail. "How abouts Leafbug!" It sounded like a very good name to Amata because the cat-pill was green like all the leaves and grasses and tress and other shiny things that were outside, just like this cat-pill. And it wouldn’t be nice to call him ‘Cat-pill’ because that would be like calling Cambi ‘Wolf’, and that was not a good name at all. So Amata had settled on Leafbug. Her tail wagged happily as she watched Cambi expectantly with a bright smile. Of course, in the end, it was Cambi’s boy-bug now, and she could name him whatever she wanted—even Boy-bug! The creamy girl giggled. Naming things was fun!

300+

A happy little whine found its way out of her as Amata gave her a kiss. Cambria returned the gesture, planting many little kisses on Amata's face. The pup was more thankful than she could even express. It had been so awful feeling as sad and depressed as she had. So so awful. But now that dark cloud was gone (even though the ones in the sky outside still hung heavy). How did little girl puppies like her get by without wonderful sisters like she had? Cambria couldn't even imagine her life without Amata. She was her reassurance when it was so hard for her to be sure about the world beyond their door. With her sister things weren't so scary. Without her she was surely be lost.



The Marino pup also assumed that the transformation between cat-pill and butterfly would be as quick as a snap of the fingers. That's how all such transformations went, after all, as far as she knew. The thought that it might be a very slow and somewhat boring occurrence didn't cross her mind for a second. "I bets! How coulds it not bes?" Something as amazing as that had to be exciting. "I wonders if there will bes any signs, you knows, before it happens." She hoped there would be, that way there wouldn't be as a big a chance one of them would miss the magic.



Cambria watched as her light sibling looked into the air trying to think of a name for the little cat-pill. The sudden jump made a startled little bark come from her and she backed up a step or two. Locking herself away like she had had made her very unused to the energy her sibling had in abundance. But then she heard the name and her eyes also looked up at the empty space above their heads considering. It was a good name, but something was a little off...it just needed a small tweak. "Das goods, bu...whas abouts Leafy? I tink Leafy is a wittle betters," she said smiling back at Amata. Leafy was a very cute name, and still very much like the name her sister had come up with.

300+


        Amata blinked and closed her eyes happily at the many kisses she was given. She whined happily back at her sister and giggled quietly. Those kisses made her feel loved, and she knew that Cambi loved her just as much as she loved Cambi. Then, she automatically gave several more kisses to Cambi before both of their attentions were turned to the very serious matter at hand.

        "I don’s knoes..." She hadn’t really thought of it before, although she didn’t know why she hadn’t considered such an obvious question. Amata tried to think of an answer, but she couldn’t come up with one. Now that she thought of it, she had never seen anything transform, except for growing flowers, of course, but that was so natural and slow that she didn’t even consider that. She didn’t even consider that she herself was growing and changing too. "Maybes Mamma and Dadda will knoes." Mamma and Dadda knew everything.

        Amata giggled loudly. "Yeahs! Leafy is much betters!" Why hadn’t she thought of that. Adding ‘bug’ at the end of the name was still the same as calling Cambi ‘wolf’, wasn’t it? Her tail expressed her happiness adequately as she looked down at the funny green cat-pill boy. "Leafy, Leafy, Leafy!" The little girl sung the name loudly to the ceiling, as if the blank ceiling needed to know but wasn’t able to hear normal talking because it was so far away. "Leafy, Leafy, Leafy!" Now she sang it to the little bug, her mouth lowered close the ground as if the bug couldn’t hear the normal talking because it was so low to the ground. When Amata was sure that the bug could hear the name, she rose and look back to her sister. "Yous hasta teaches him his name," she explained. That way he would know who he was. How else would he know who he was? That was a strange thought, and a thought that quickly flew out of her brain, like a bee that was moving on to the next flower.

        "Where’s you gonna keeps him?" Leafy was small, so he didn’t need an entire room. But he needed a home to stay in too, now that he was a friend. Leafy was like a packmember that wasn’t a wolf, but he could still be accommodated. Amata looked around the room as if the perfect place would pop up, but nothing caught her attention. She looked back to Cambi. Cambi would know.

300+

Hmmm, would there be any signs of his transformation before it happened? Cambria hoped so, but it appeared that Amata wasn't sure about it either. The sea foam eyes searched out the little green bug, looking at him questioningly as if he might be able to shed some light on their query. But he did not such thing, simply continued munching on the leaf of the flower he had been brought inside on. But of course the obvious source was spoken aloud by her sibling. "Oh yesses! I bet they will knows!" At least one of their parents surely knew more about the transformation of the cat-pill. They would have the answer, the chocolate pup had no doubts about that.



The smile on the girl's face widened at the confirmation that Leafy was the better name for her new charge. As the official name of the cat-pill was sung out Cambria bounced around lightly on her paws, a giggle bursting from her throat. It was a strong, good giggle because it had been held inside by the sadness for too long. It was like her happiness had been buried deep inside like water underground and Amata had finally dug deep enough and now the water bubbled up and renewed everything. "Leafy, Leafy, Leafy! Gonna shows us wha da boy butterfwies lookes like!" she sang along with her sister. "Leafy, Leafy, Leafy! Makes mes happy, happy, happy!" The pup had started parading around the flower but stopped when Amata said she had to teach the bug his name. Oh yes! She did need to do that, didn't she? Otherwise they wouldn't know when he was being talked to! Cambria went and laid down in front of the bug, looking at him intently. "Hi Leafy's! Dat's your name, Leafy! You are Leafy and I is Cambi an' I is gonna takes cares of you!" Her tail wagged behind her, convinced that he understood every word she said.



Eyes looked back up to her littermate. Hmmm, where would she keep him? He wouldn't need much room, that was sure. Keeping him kind of confined would be best, otherwise he might get lost in the big house and that would be no good. But what could he live in? Her face scrunched up in thought. Though quickly something popped into her head. "Whas about in a jars? Like da ones in da kitchens? Den he couldn't crawl away and get losts." And they could look for the biggest jar in the house so he would still have lots of room.

300+


        As Cambi followed suit, singing the cat-pills wonderful name, Amata laughed with all the mirth that was bubbling inside her. And then Cambi began to teach the cat-pill his name, so Amata continued what Cambi had started, parading quietly around the flower as she whispered, "Lala la-la, la-la la-la! Leafy, Leafy! La-la la-la!" in a quiet voice that sounded with every step as she stomped softly about. It was as if the two—her sister and the cat-pill—needed some reinforcement in the form of music, and Amata could provide that easily. And so she did. The blue and green eyes turned as she pranced about, watching the little green bug. Now he knew who was going to take care of him—the cat-pill was probably happy because he was safe now.

        Amata giggled as her sister’s face grew very, very thoughtful. And it was good thoughts that Cambi thought, because the idea that was voiced was the best idea anyone could have thought of. "Yeahs! The jars will makes a nice home for Leafy, and thens yous cans sees him toos!" And Cambi would be able to see Leafy because the glass was clear, of course, which made it perfect! Now her sister would be able to see everything, even when he needed more food and water and love. Yeahs, she agreed again, tha’s the bestest place to keeps a cat-pill named Leafy!

        "Sees!" the little girl exclaimed, bumping her nose softly and lovingly on Cambi’s chocolate shoulder. "Yous alweady takin’ goods cares of him!" She knew that her sister would have taken good care of the cat-pill. That was why she had gone to find him. That was why she didn’t just bring her a pretty flower or a pretty rock. A cat-pill was far more exciting, and the cat-pill would turn into a pretty boy butterfly. Amata was very relieved that her plan was a success. She didn’t want Cambi to be sad anymore.

300+

As she spoke to the little cat-pill, teaching him his name, her sister's song tickled at her ears. Cambria had to suppress a little giggle. She was too close to Leafy to let a big laugh out, it might scare him. So she stored the happy energy away to use when she wasn't face to face with her new little friend. The pup found it seemed that Leafy really was looking back at her. His little head faced her's and his little legs wiggled in the air. The smile on her face grew and carefully and slowly she inched her nose closer and closer to the cat-pill. Finally she ever so gently put her nose up against him. Those same wiggling legs touched her nose and tickled it. Chocolate tail burst into a wagging fit. He liked her!



After a moment or two she slunk back away from him, ending the contact. The Marino rose back to her full height and looked bright eyed at her sibling. "He wikes me Amata! He doeses!" It was one thing to have a cat-pill and know she was going to take care of him, but it was million billion times better to know that he actually liked her too! Amata also liked the jar idea! It was settled then, they needed to go get a jar for Leafy to live in. It was much better than a box or something because he could be enclosed and safe but she would still be able to tell when he needed more leaves and stuff. Her cheeks warmed at her sister's statement that she was already taking good care of the cat-pill. Maybe she could really do it after all!



"Let's go finds a jar for Leafy! So he cans get accliminated to his new homes!" The sooner they found his jar the sooner he could get comfortable. Gingerly Cambria moved to pick the flower that Leafy currently sat on by the stem. Then she looked to Amata and started walking to the door. The jars would be in the kitchen downstairs. Hopefully some would be on the floor and not all in the high places that puppies couldn't reach.

300+


        The blue and green eyes watched as the cat-pill began to look at Cambia—that was because Cambi was pretty and had taught the cat-pill that his name was Leafy. "I knowd he woulds!" Amata exclaimed. Her tail wagged excitedly, and the little girl couldn’t help but swell up with pride. She was proud that she had been able to find a cat-pill that was compatible with her sister. It would have been horrible if the cat-pill had not accepted her sister. But all was going well, and so Amata was very happy and pleased. "Nows yous both ares friends now!" This must have been what No-war had been talking about. The Bab-eduk was what Amata immediately thought of. Maybe No-war could help Cambi take care of Leafy too! "Maybes yous cans talks to No-war ‘bouts Leafy and Bab-eduk, toos," the creamy pup suggested, reiterating her own thoughts. Amata didn’t really have anyone to take care of—except for her sister, of course—but maybe she could tag along too. And even if she couldn’t, at least Cambi would not be sad and have fun.

        "Yeahs, thassa good idea!" Once Cambi had gotten a good hold upon the pretty daisy flower, Amata smiled and turned, leading the way with quick and excited steps, stopping frequently to look back and make sure that Cambi and Leafy were coming along okay. And then they had gotten into the kitchen. Amata felt very small in this place, and she paused as she entered, her head craned up to look at the large room that was very different from the bedrooms. Once the awe had left the pup, she continued, and paused before the door of a low-built cabinet. "This looks likes a good place to starts!" And with that her black nose was pressed against the edge of the cabinet’s door. It took several awkward tries before the door swung open—only to swing shut once more. "I’s gonna gets yous!" the girl warned the door. With a final try, the door swung open widely. "Aww nos!" This cabinet didn’t have jars! It only had pots and pans. With a small pout, the girl moved on to the next one, not bothering to close the door, as most pups.

        The next cabinet didn’t hold much promise, nor did the next. They all had strange metal things, and even things she didn’t know what to call. All the doors had been left open. And she had grown quite adept at the opening of these cabinet doors. And finally, the fifth—or was it the sixth—cabinet was opened. "Heres wes are!" Amata exclaimed, truly relieved. She gave a little sigh to say that she was, but she was also feeling rather accomplished. The creamy pup stepped aside. "What dos yous thinks, Cambi?" Amata wanted her sister to choose Leafy’s new home because she wanted this to be very special for her sister.

300+

The Marino pup beamed at the revelation that her ward liked her. It was probably one of the best feelings ever! Most definitely one of the best feelings she had had since the accident. She would never be able to thank her sister enough for what she had done today. Cambria had been so sad and so depressed that it felt like nothing was ever going to make her happy again, but then here Amata had come with Leafy and everything had turned around. She was convinced that she had the best sister ever in the whole wide world! Her ears perked as her sister said something about Noir and her baby. "You knows Noir toos? Dats a good ideas!!" Yes, she should talk to Noir about Leafy! Noir had experience taking care of stuff.



The chocolate girl padded carefully after her sibling, doing all she could to make sure the flower wasn't jostled around too much. If it moved too much then Leafy might not be able to hold on and fall down and that would be just so awful! The stairs were especially difficult, since she still had to jump from one to another, but when she reached the bottom the cat-pill still clung bravely to the flower. Proud of having accomplished her difficult task she followed Amata into the kitchen. This room was huge! So tall and so big. It was made for giant adults not itty bitty puppies. Sea foam eyes watched with excitement as her sister wrestled with the cabinet doors and had to stifle a giggle a few times. Amata was so funny!



After each door was opened she looked inside with disappointment at there being no jars and watched intently as each new door was opened, hoping this time it would be the right door. Cambi was starting to lose hope when finally the right cabinet was opened and filled with jars. Her tail wagged as she gently set the flower on the floor so she could get a better look at the jars. "You stays dere Leafy!" she said kindly to the cat-pill. She stuck her head into the opening and looked around. Well, she wanted a bit jar so Leafy had plenty of room. Something too small would be no good. "Whas abouts dat big jars back dere?" She pointed with her paw to the one in the back corner.

500+


        The creamy tail wagged cheerfully as the blue and green eyes watched the funny little cat-pill. She thought that it was very cute, and she thought that it was even cuter that Cambi had chosen the name Leafy because he lived on a leaf! Giggling softly with her amusement, Amata turned back to her sister, smiling brightly as Cambi considered each of the jars. The white pup’s little ears pricked up, her face adopting an almost inquisitive look as the jar was chosen. "Yous has chooses wise-ful!" Her voice was mysterious as she spoke, using the words from one of the books that had been read to her in which a cup had been chosen. You have chosen wisely, was what a night had said, and Amata said it now too. This jar was far more important than a funny cup, the little girl thought. "Waits heres!" she said, stepping forward. "I’s gets it for yous, Cambi!" And Cambi could stay with Leafy the cool cat-pill.

        Slowly and carefully, the little girl entered the dark cabinet, doing her best to maneuver about each of the jars. And she didn’t mind that the jar that her sister had chosen was in the farthest corner—Amata would do anything for Cambi. As the pup made her way through, the glass jars clinked noisily against each other, a sound that Amata found to be very pretty. "Wows," she exclaimed when she had finally reached the jar in question. "This iss reallys far backs!" Looking back at her sister, the creamy pup decided that the other jars had to be moved out of the way. So, carefully, she nosed the jars aside to make room for the jar that would soon be Leafy’s house—and she would need the room so that she would be able to roll it out. Luckily, the jars were moved without incident, and Amata was able to tip Leafy’s jar over, carefully rolling it down the little path that she had made. It was when she was turning about, however, that her tail bumped a glass container, causing it to fall and shatter. Amata lifted her head in surprise, but she just looked at the place, not registering that she was making a mess. "Oopsies...." And then, she turned, continuing on her way without stepping on any shards of glass. It was the strange luck of children.

        Once the jar had made it safely to the edge of the cabinet, Amata stepped over it, placing her tummy on the cold glass so that she was hugging the jar before rolling out of the cabinet and onto the floor with a soft thud. With minimal struggle, the jar was standing upon the floor, and the creamy hued girl smiled. "Theres, I gotted the jar! Now yous can have Leafy a home!" Then Amata shook herself as if dust had gotten on her fur, and she sneezed before righting herself. Hopefully Leafy would like his home too.

Indiana Jones reference ftw! 300+

Chocolate tail wagged as her sister stated that she had made a good choice in house for Leafy. The way her sibling spoke those words were very interesting though. It made Amata sound much older and wiser than she was. Why was that, she wondered? Oh well, it could wait until they had Leafy all snug in his new home. "Tanks you sis!" How sweet of her to go in and get the jar for her! Just more proof that Amata was the bestest sister ever. Cambria moved and nudged the flower with the cat-pill on it closer to the cabinet so that she could keep a closer eye on him. That and now Leafy could watch them get his new home. "Amata is gonna go get dat bigs jar and dat will bes your new homes!" the pup explained quietly to her charge. His little legs wiggled and she giggled happily.



Ocean colored orbs watched her sister intently as she maneuvered to the back corner of the cabinet. She really hadn't thought about how far back the jar she wanted really was until she watched her sibling crawl back there. The clink of glass on glass made her ears perk up. That was a nice noise, but also something about it told her that great care was needed when such noises were being made. "Be carefuls 'Mata!" She didn't know if the jars could hurt at all, but she certainly didn't want Amata to get hurt. But it seemed as the jars were moved to make more room nothing bad happened and the Marino pup relaxed. Then when her sister turned around there was a shatter and her head ducked down instinctively and she shut her eyes tight. Nervously she opened one but it seemed nothing bad had happened. Oh good.



Cambi watched curiously as Amata wrapped herself around the jar and then tumbled out of the cabinet with it. As the jar was standing up on the floor now and her sister was shaking off she bounced on her paws laughing. "Yays! Dat was so greats! You's vewy tawented at gettin jarses!" Surely she couldn't have done a better job, it probably would have been messier if she had. The girl walked up to the jar and looked at the top. The lid was on. Hmmm...how did you get the lid off? She put one of her paws up on it and opened her mouth, gnawing at the lid with her little puppy teeth. She tugged and pulled and chewed but it wouldn't budge! "It won't opens!" she said frustrated and sat haughtily back on her haunches.

^=^~~~~~
300+


        The creamy pup smiled happily, giggling along with her sister. It was very nice to see Cambi happy again—it was much better than the sad Cambi that had suddenly appeared. And she was glad that she could makeher sister laugh and jump. Amata was made proud by her sister’s compliment. "Thanks yous, Cambi" Had the creamy girl been able to shift, she would have curtsied. But, because she could not, instead she gave an awkward bow that, in her mind, appeared just as the curtsies and bows that she had seen in the picture books about princes and princesses. "I’s the Jars-getter," she replied with a bright smile as if such a title were so very significant. But to the little girl, that title, at that very moment, was the best title in the world. If it had made her sister happy, then it was the best thing that she could ever be.

        The blue and green eyes watched the jar curiously, but it had not occurred to her that the lid was on until she saw Cambi’s sea green eyes considering it. Then it did become a problem. Cambi attempted to get it open by biting and knowing, but the lid did not come off, and chocolate her sister voiced her frustration. She sat back, mirroring Cambi’s movements. "Nos," Amata replied with a sort of despair. It couldn’t not open! It had to open. For a moment, the frustration of her sister made her feel frustrated as well. "Lemme try," she said after several moments of dumbfounded silence. Rising, she had her attempts at opening the jar. She growled as menacingly as she could possibly manage, silently threatening that if it did not open for her sister, she would not play with it. With a sudden leap, she pounced upon the jar, her benign attack upon the jar with her teeth almost comical had the situation not been dire. But the jar was stubborn and silence, and so the girl abandoned that method all together.

        Sighing with pure exasperation, she sat down with a sad sigh, glaring at the jar that did not open. Carefully avoiding her sister’s gaze, Amata stared down at cute Leafy. Poor Leafy wouldn’t be getting his house, it seemed. But then she paused, considering with a tilted head. Amata had seen the adults opening it.... How’s they do it agains? And she thought and remembered. "I knows!" she exclaimed. "‘member? The grown-ups opened it with their hands! They turneded the jar and then it opened!" Of course, the problem was that they did not have any hands, but Amata’s creativity and imagination would make up for that. "Here’s." she said, scooting over to the jar so that she could wrap herself around it once more. "I’s hold the jars, and yous turned the top!" That should work! "Come ons, Cambi!" she encouraged with a smile. "It wills works, and then Leafy wills has his house!"

<3 300+

Her smile was broad and full of gratitude and appreciation. "No, thanks you!" she piped. Amata had done so much for her this day, it was amazing and she couldn't not thank her. She watched the little bow-thing her sister made and copied the gesture. She, too, had seen the picture books and recognized the curtsy for what it was. They were both so cultured and polite! A perfect pair of princesses. Well, maybe not exactly perfect, but nobody was perfect. "Yesses! Da best jars-getter!" Certainly she was, no one else could have so deftly retrieved that jar. Maybe an adult could, but they had the advantage of hands. Amata had done it without hands, and so that made her more skilled.



But then the stupid jar had to go and ruin the mood! Everything had been going so well, but now the jar would not open! It was just no good! Leafy needed his home! The pup glared at the glass container, as if that withering stare would make the object more cooperative. It only sat there motionless though, and still closed. Her sister tried some similar methods, growling at the jar and pouncing on it. Still it stayed firmly shut. "Stupid jars," she grumbled, ears flat against her head in annoyance. Why wouldn't it just open? It just wasn't nice.



Ears perked up though as her sister appeared to study the jar in a different light. Then Amata voiced the solution, but there was a slight problem... "Oh yahs! But...we dun have hands yets..." Maybe they would have to call for momma or dada to come open the jar for them, but who knew where their parents might be right at this moment. They might not even be inside the house! But of course her sister was so smart and came up with different, more convenient solution. "Good ideas 'Mata!" The excitement filled her up again and she moved over to the now held jar, putting her front paws against the lid. The pup grunted as she used all her effort to make the jar lid turn, but it was stuck! Oh noes, but she wouldn't give up, not yet. Leafy needed his home! Determined she put more strength into her legs and soon a popping noise sounded and it turned much easier. "Looks! Looks it openin's!" After a few turns the metal lid dropped to the floor and she barked happily.



Turning around the girl gingerly picked up the daisy and slowly placed it inside of the jar. Smiling and tail wagging she lowered her head and peeked in at Leafy. "You's likes it?" The cat-pill wiggled his many little legs and the pup took it for a yes.

End this one soon? ^=^
300+


        With all her strength, Amata held the jar tightly so that Cambi could turn the lid. She trusted that Cambi would be able to turn, so Amata closed her eyes tightly as she concentrated on her part of the task. There was a satisfying sound as the lid hit the floor. The blue and green eyes opened as they beheld the prone lid. "Yay!" Amata yelled happily. She leaned her little muzzle to the ground so that the stubborn lid could see and hear here. "Yay, yay, yay!" She exclaimed triumphantly. As chocolately Cambi began placing Leafy and the bright flower into the jar, Amata began stomping about in a circumscribing circle, chanting, "Yay, yay, yay, yay! The Lid iss openinged and leafy gettinged a homes! Yay, yay, yay, yay!"as she went.

        When the flower was set in Leafy’s new home, the noisy chanting was stopped. As Cambi asked the green buggy about his home, the creamy pup leaned in to see what Leafy would say. Leafy was very quiet, but the movements that he made (and they were very cute) were unmistakable to both pups. Amata barked happily for her sister, bouncing up and down as she crashed affectionately into pretty Cambi’s shoulder. "I’s tolded you!" she exclaimed. "You’s chosed goodly!" Happy licks were planted all over Cambi’s shoulder and face. She knew that Cambi would take good care of little Leafy. Then, together, they could see the green cat-pill become a butterfly like magic. Mamma and Dadda could see too! Everyone could see how good Cambi was, and Cambi would be happy. She was already much happier than she was already, and that made little Amata very happy.

        "Nows we cans asks Mamma and Dadda what cat-pills eat," Amata continued, stepping back from her lick-attack. That was all that they had left, and then everything would be perfect!