anyone feel free to hop in. wc: 1000 (uhh yes, it's long...just skip to the last paragraph? )
Frodo Silvertongue
Test my reality Check if there's a weak spot Clingin' to insanity In hopes the world will ease up
The first couple of weeks had been tough. He'd only been a "father", of sorts, for a short time and already he felt so much love for Gemma's newborn babes that it was no surprise she was wary of him. All he wanted to do was to raise them and love them, something he had not had the chance to go through when he himself had been a pup, but that was frankly overwhelming for Gemma, considering they'd settled on being just friends, and it was just a little a bit awkward. She was protective over them, he understood that. The first two weeks after birth she'd chased him away with nips and growls; none too aggressive but all the more, it made him nervous. Finally, as they'd grown fatter and stronger, Gemma started to accept the gifts of food he gave her and the pups, and hopefully she was starting to realise he could be a big help. The pups were around a month old now, and Frodo had been accepted to take one of them off the busy mother's paws for the day. Finally, he had a chance to have quality time with the younglings.
He only had his son, Nate-River, with him now. Gemma had said that she might join Frodo in the pack-hunt he meant to set up soon, bringing Payne along, depending on whether she felt like it, he guessed. But for now, he'd focus on showing the black and white boy around. He was a tiny thing, all damp fur and blinking black eyes. Gemma's eyes were blue, and Frodo's green, so he found this slightly odd, but it didn't phase him too much. He knew all too well that there was a chance he wasn't the pup's father at all, but he meant to be a father for them anyway. They deserved it, Gemma deserved it.
Nate had been born second, and he was the smaller of the litter, quite skinny in frame, but none the less curious of his surroundings. Currently, the boy lay swaddled in blankets, in a basket that lay strapped across Frodo's back. Frodo had made the basket himself; it was basic reeds and bamboo and ferns, kind of weaved together to make a tan and green structure. It was firm and safe, and that was all that mattered. He pulled the basket straps closer to his body and quickened his pace, his all-black form making good progress. Nate bounced around a little, occasionally whining. He was quite a quiet boy sometimes, thought Frodo. But maybe his personality hadn't come out just yet. Ow, Fa? Ow? at still a month old, Nate couldn't speak very well, but he could say some basic words. His first word had been "Ma", and after a couple of weeks he'd started viewing Frodo as "Fa". Despite Frodo living in a different hut to Gemma, it was like he was never gone, the amount of time he spent with the small family.
What's up, chappy? asked Frodo, suddenly concerned. He craned his neck to see the little pup peeking up from the blankets, paws resting on the brim of the basket. No. Fa? No, Fa? said Nate-River Silvertooth, his paw tugging. Frodo was still confused, until he realised that Nate's paw was trapped in the basket. It didn't look too painful, but he could see why it would cause nervousness from the boy. S'fine, Natey. Yer stay still, now, kay? Shh, squire. said Frodo gently, taking the basket from around his shoulders slowly, holding against his chest with one hand while he used the other to free the pup's paw from the basket. Nate grinned when he was free, shaking his paw for a while before realising it was unharmed. Got be'tder, Fa. Fer true. Frodo chuckled at the boy and swung the basket back over his shoulder. It wasn't really the basket that had been the danger- it had been Nate that poked his paw there in the first place. That, Frodo was confident about. And he hoped that the boy would learn from that mistake, and not let it happen again. A test of intelligence.
Frodo had walked a little way out of the village before he paused. He spied a huge boulder in the grass. It had numerous belongings settled down on it; all left by him. This was where he had aimed to bring Nate back to, before summoning the rest of the tribe. Or, what he could summon, anyway. He'd planned to get the pack together for a hunt. Nate could watch from the basket, watch and learn. At his age, Frodo doubted the pup would learn much, but watching would at least prove entertaining. He bent his knees to retrieve his bow and arrows, and fastened his cloak around him (which involved a lot of tucking under and removing the basket again), before straightening up again. The young man then raised his muzzle to the sky and let loose a summoning howl, calling forth anyone who wanted to hunt. Hell, even guests to the pack would be welcome. He wanted it to be an all-round fun day for everyone. Why, Fa? asked Nate-River, curious black eyes blinking slowly. He hadn't really met many others of the pack yet. Only the great woman who he knew only as the leader, and that had been weeks ago. You'll see, my little wrathmunk. Dopplegangers'll be spreadin' roun' 'ere soon, cuz' they all big, big like me, see? Well, bigger'n me. You'll like the big wolves, Nate. he said. Although, it was upsetting that he wasn't allowed to tell anyone that he was Nate and Payne's father...or would-be father, anyway. As far as the tribe knew, he was but there adopted father, or family friend. A risk on Gemma's honour, her loyalty to her mate, to become public, would be shameful, something Frodo didn't want for the poor girl. If anything, he blamed himself it had come to that.
Word Count & OCC→ 300+/ Io's met Nate before with Gemma (thread coming soon >.<)
They'd slept in late, side by side in lupus form as the sun beat down on them through the open doorway of their hut. Both of their respective fields of work had been tender to until late into the previous night and neither of them had given much though to rising much earlier than they had. Io knew she was fortunate to have others covering her role, and Jaroslaw knew he was lucky not to have hungry animals to feed. The rain from the last few days would have watered them sufficiently for now. Neither had even bothered to eat last night and so as they both slowly awoke to the sun rays, they found their hunger arise. But they lay for a while longer, until a lone hunting howl was heard from Frodo. 'Come on' Jaro yawned, nudging his mate and ignoring her protests. He went about his morning routine, shifting to comb his short mane quickly and running himself over with a wet towel juts as rapidly before sitting in the main part of their den with the door way open to watch Io rise. The coyote hybrid took much longer, shifting, then taking a more careful approach to the combing of her mane and the cleaning of her pelt. Snowy fingers secured themselves around her spear before leaving together with her mate.
The used a comfortable pace for the short distance, arriving before Frodo in a matter of moments. Io's silver eyes fell upon the child beside him gently, while her mate's feel almost steely. His height and mass didn't give him much confidence around small children, especially as he'd not yet have any of his own. The grey wolf remained almost clueless about them. 'Frodo...' Io greeted, before looking down to the pup and smiling, 'And who is this? You gotten big since I last saw you!' Jaro really couldn't see what was so appealing about the little runts that everyone craved so much.
<style>
.galcrown-04 {margin:0px auto;width:450px;background-color:none;background-image:url();background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:bottom;border:none;padding:0px;font-family:Georgia;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;text-align:justify;margin-top:10px;}
.galcrown-04 .ooc {font-style:italic;font-size:11px;line-height:15px;text-align:center;margin:2px;text-indent:0px;}
.galcrown-04 .ooc b {font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;}
.galcrown-04 .divider {border-bottom:1px dotted;}
.galcrown-04 p {text-indent:20px;margin:0px;padding:5px 10px;}
.galcrown-04 b {font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:1px;}
.galcrown-04 i {font-style:italic;letter-spacing:1px;}
.galcrown-04 u {font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;font-variantmall-caps;border-bottom:1px dotted;letter-spacing:1px;}
</style>[/html]
Test my reality Check if there's a weak spot Clingin' to insanity In hopes the world will ease up
The first to answer his call was no-one less than Io, and it seemed she had someone padding along with her. A mate, perhaps? He couldn't recall if he'd ever asked her about family of her own. Then again, he didn't know why that would be something to ask anyway. He remembered Io as the one that had helped him pull the colt from the mare when her time had came, and that meant he had a very high opinion of the red wolf-collie. Gemma had mentioned that Io had came for a visit earlier on, maybe it had been this week or the one before, or even before that, he couldn't quite recall. So it didn't surprise him when she noticed how big Nate had grown. Aye, though not as big as his sister. Are yer, skipper? he replied fondly, a hand reaching out to gently ruffle the boy's hair in complete adoration. Payney. replied Nate. He'd certainly done well to pick up names and tiny speech at his age; a fast developer, Frodo supposed, a high functioning pup. Payne had yet to speak yet, but Frodo thought to himself that although she was fully capable of speaking, she probably was just quiet, or something. Payney. Payne, payney, payne. Frodo wondered why Nate had added a "y" to the end of his sister's name, but didn't say anything about it.
Nate then turned around briskly. He'd been facing his father's back, but now he wanted to get a look at Io and her mate. He propped his paws up against the basket and wagged his tail, shaking some of the thick blankets of him to rid himself of the uncomfortable warmth. GRAH. squealed the little pup. His beady blue-black eyes, that had only just started to darken since birth, widened at the sigh of strangers. And then something clicked in his mind, the slightest of memories. He knew Io. At his young age, his memory wasn't the best, but he was pretty sure he'd seen her before. Shh now, young'un. Frodo said. He turned sideways on so that he could talk directly to Io while Nate could still have a look. It was only then that he fully registered that he hadn't said hi to her man-friend. Oh, hi, yer a mate of Io's? he asked. Well, we'll be needin' all the paws we can get... goin' huntin. he looked around, at the weapons. He was trying to decide whether to use his shortsword or bow, or just his teeth. Aint nothin' of much use fer a desperado round these here parts... I got me a skinky and a bow, but teeth makes fer a cleaner kill... he trailed off, trying to figure out how Io and Jaro were going to add to the hunt.
Jaroslaw is totally not picture squashed puppies :O not at all! XD he's so bad~
Jaroslaw still hung back as Io advance to pet the small creature, his eyes kept solidly on the small rat in front of him. He jsut didn't understand how anyone could find puppies in any way appealing. 'Plenty of time for growth in the future...' she mused as Frodo explained fondly that his sister was still larger than him. He was speaking and lively and that was all that mattered after all. Jaroslaw's ears flattened sourly as the child's high pitched screech was called into the air. He wondered if Io would let him slip away easily, but he soon came to the understanding his mate needed him to me more social within the pack. Even if it meant hanging around with small children. Convincingly faking care for the creature he turned to Frodo, 'You taking him with you?' his accent was strong and imposing, though there was hardly anything he could do about that. 'Might get lost, or squashed...' Hunting could be dangerous after all.
Io glared at him, but said nothing, turning her attention back to Frodo. She nodded when he asked if Jaro was her mate and she nodded,muttering 'Unfortunately...' as an aside. Io glanced down at her spear and sighed, 'I suppose I will hunt ferally too. The spear is only for decoration, after all' She had no idea how to use it unless it meant holding it and looking cool.
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html]
Test my reality Check if there's a weak spot Clingin' to insanity In hopes the world will ease up
Frodo nodded soundly, as he figured Nate would overtake his sister in growth eventually, as was the way of males and females. Or at least, Frodo hoped he would, or at least reach an equal height with his sister... if he stayed runtier than most girls, he could easily be picked on. The ginger-haired male sniffed in the air and then turned to Io's mate, who pointed out the dangers of bringing a pup hunting. Frodo had weighed up the possibilities of his son getting injured during the mission, sure, but he knew that ultimately the pup would benefit from watching the adults at work. He's comin along, but don't worry yerself, he'll be as safe as milk. he flashed a fond look at the pup before tightening the straps on the basket.
His fingers went to the bow on his shoulder, almost to make sure it was still there. Then he heard Io and Jaro say that they were going to hunt without weapons, and Frodo considered this for a while before placing his bow and quiver on the ground. Guess I'll be doin' the same. he said, cracking his knuckles in preparation. There's a coupla boar north of here. he commented, beckoning them both with his hand as he assumed they'd be the only ones hunting today. The curly furred wolf set off at a slight jog towards the horizon, his tail swishing lazily behind him. Nate bounced up and down in the basket but managed to stay inside somehow, the black and white pup pretty startled but otherwise excited for what was going to happen. His father had told him they were doing something important today, but he'd forgotten what it was they were doing. Such was the way of a pup. He was very curious though, and though he had a small attention span he was eager to pay attention today, especially if it would impress his father. He liked impressing people, making them proud, making them happy. Nate was just naturally eager to please. Which was a good trait in a pup, it would mean obedience and a willing to work and cooperate.
Jaroslaw shrugged, he didn't really care of course. But it had been the only option to get rid of the kid. God knows the thing would shoot it's mouth off just as they crept up upon some prey and screw the whole thing up. But he didn't argue, more because he didn't want Io giving him any stick in public. Even though he had different opinions on things that her he still didn't voice them before his mate. Io was the dominant one of course. 'Of course he will. We would not let anything happen to him, would we?' Io questioned, it was directed towards Jaroslaw and was sweetened at the end and Jaro knew what that implied. Shut up and hunt.
'Boar? Should be easier enough. Used to hunting Wisent of course but boars... Smaller. Shouldn't be a problem...' Jaroslaw commented, slipping in the fact that he could hunt huge bison type creatures without hassle. Showing of bluntly. Io hissed a warning to him in his native language and he smirked to himself. But said nothing more. They followed him quickly, side by side talking between themselves.
)
mall-caps;border-bottom:1px dotted;letter-spacing:1px;}
