I don think we shuld be doin that...the hybrid pup whispered to his dark friend. My da says she not lettin any close yet! He urged, but Ro continued moving towards the painted horse let out to graze in the pasture and Heiro hopelessly followed, continuously glancing back at the stables to see if anyone could see him and his friend lurking around the fields. Could you talk any louder? Do you want some high and mighty adult to come out here and ruin our fun? Ro snarled back at the orea coated babe. No...the tiny prince answered in a whimper, guess not. He continued padding towards the unnamed mare, whose nostrils already began flaring with alarm.

This close enough, he said with a firm nod of his head. Ro may have been braver than him, but he surely didn’t want to get a hoof to the head, and the horse already seemed ready to bolt or spook at any second. I’ll tell you when we’re close enough. Remember who’s boss! The black wolf pup growled as he miraculously made his way to the back of the horse and began baring his little razor teeth near the mare’s ankle. No Ro! Heiro shouted and suddenly the painted horse reared up with a scream of her own sending the two toned pup sprawling onto his back. He had just barely missed getting trampled by the horse as she took off at an enraged gallop away from him.

You coulda killed me Ro! The prince said angrily, tears welling up in his ice blue eyes as he rolled off the grass and back onto his feet. But Ro didn’t seem interested in the feelings he had hurt, instead the scarlet eyed wolf was staring gleefully in the direction of the stables. It worked, he whispered, causing goosebumps to rise on Heiro’s skin. The huksy dog was almost too scared to turn around as the sounds of stamping hooves and stressed neighs seemed to be coming from that direction. Oh no...he whispered as his eyes took in the scene. The horses in the pasture were all riled up because of the distressed painted mare and all of them were running about, nostrils flaring and eyes rolling.

Brainless horses! What good are they for? A laugh...not much smarter than sheep huh Heiro? So easily spooked...oh boy, look at them run! Ro was cackling maniacally and Heiro refused to look at his dark furred “friend”. Yur mean Ro...they done nut’ing to us, he said miserably as his ice blue eyes followed the frenzied group around the edge of the pasture. Luckily they weren’t running in his direction yet, but the noise they were making with ears folding back and horse like screams would surely get the tiny Prince into trouble. Hah! You haven’t seen mean yet! Ro snorted as he took off after the frightened horses at an exceptional pace. Heiro should have realized that wasn’t possible for a creature of his stature, but his attention was robbed by blur of mottled brown heading straight towards him.

He gave out a surprise puppy yip when the blur manifested arms that scooped him up off the ground and carried him to the safety of the outside fields. He thumped against his unknown hero’s chest as he was carried along but his eyes remained glued to the pasture. Though Ro was oftentimes sadistic and cruel, Heiro still cared for him and counted him as a friend, but as his eyes desperately searched the grounds closest to the raging horses, he realized with a chill that the black furred wolf pup was nowhere to be found.

Once deposited on the ground, Heiro looked up at the male with wide eyes. He had only been close to his family members when they were in Optime form and for once in his life, he wasn’t sure who was addressing him. It was an odd occurance as Heiro believed he knew everyone within the kingdom, but this one’s stern gaze didn’t bring up any recognition. He swallowed with some difficulty as he was obviously caught red handed, but he knew he shouldn’t tell on Ro. His friend wouldn’t like that and besides, weren’t good friends supposed to have each other’s backs? Not like Ro ever had his, but the oreo pup wasn’t one to judge.

I...uh...I got losted in the pass-ter an I...I didn’ mean et! He whined pathetically with his large black ears flattened against his head, all the while looking down at his large paws he so desperately wished to grow into and fast. Being a pup was boring compared to being an adult, or so he thought. I’m sowwee mister...he paused a little confused. Mister? The Catori puppy asked, daring to look up into the stranger’s green eyes.

Pst, Heiro! I’m over here, Hei began to turn his head towards the voice, but Ro’s grated his ears once more. Don’t look at me you dummy! Keep eye contact with the goon you’re talking to or he’ll know somethings up. Heiro fidgeted slightly, turning his now dark blue eyes back to the stranger as he half listened to his reprimands disguised as questions. He swallowed visibly and nodded vigorously, very aware that venturing out into the pasture had not been a good idea as he had been opposed to the suggestion as soon as Ro had thought of it. Well...answer him, and try to act normal. Just make something up and don’t be so daft...remember he can’t know I’m here or we’re no longer friends! The threat was enough to make Heiro straighten up a bit, no way was he wanting to lose his friend, even if Ro was a bit of a bully.

I gots carried away en playin’. Aw’wees facs’nated wit horsies, he said with enthusiasm before his face darkened once more in mock apology. Won’ do et again Sir...Sir Sil-vahn-oh, he let a little puppy whine escaped his black lips and once the sorry was said, he seemed to perk up a bit. I’m Heiro Kah-tor-ee, that’s ‘nounced High-row! He explained, tossing his head back and giving a little hybrid howl. My ma is ‘Ranth and my da is Nearo, meaning Amaranth and Niro of course. You’re doing really good Hei, keep it up and he might just believe you. Heiro beamed with Ro’s approval, but kept his eyes glued to Silvano. He didn’t need to be told twice when Ro was in charge.

Da horsies be real angered huh? He asked, allowing his eyes to go back to the pasture for a few seconds before they returned to the mottled wolf. I guess they don lyke us wolfers, he mused, completely unaware that Silvano actually rode and took care of the large beasts.

Listen to him all nice like Hei...no funny business, maybe he’ll leave us alone if you don’t look suspicious, Ro whispered into the hybrid’s ear, but the Prince had another idea in mind. He liked this Silvano character and not just because he was a grown up, but something about the man made Heiro feel at ease. He wanted to get to know him better and maybe even call him a friend. The idea both excited and terrified the black and white babe, what would Ro think? It could be a very bad idea in angering the scarlet eyed wolf, but so far Silvano didn’t seem like a threat, so why was Ro so adamant on having him leave them alone. We could be friends, he whispered back, hoping the court member wouldn’t hear him, but if so...oh well.

Growing up under the watchful eye of Niro, it wasn’t surprising that Heiro had taken a liking to animals. He had an odd affinity for them, though Ro would rather torture and mutilate their little bodies, they often approached him finding him to be harmless and friendly. That is until Ro came along. In fact, Niro birds seemed to sense the change in the little puppy, always getting aggravated when he walked in front of their cages or got too close to the coops. Heiro just thought it was because Ro was mean and they didn’t like him, but then again the prince didn’t realize he was the only one that saw the black wolf.

Beetles! He squealed before bursting out in a fit of giggles and rolling on the ground. This Silvano was hilarious! He needed to hang out with him more. Well if you like him so much, then...then I’ll leave! Ro snarled in a vicious whisper, but Heiro hardly heard him over his laughter. Finally able to suck in air, the child bounced back up onto his haunches and lolled out his rose colored tongue in a wolfish grin. S’pose yer right Mister Sil, I’s lyke a bitty beetle, he nodded vehemently. Maybe you could be mah help? He asked cheekily, he’d always wanted to be near the horses and Silvano seemed to be the right person to go to, might as well seize the moment Ro had gotten him into.

With Ro gone, Heiro’s spirits had lifted dramatically, of course he wouldn’t come to recognize this until he became a little older, but the puppy’s eyes had lightened and returned to their cool ice blue, the dark sapphire a distant memory of Ro’s presence. He sat panting in the warm air, happiness exuding off of him that he was able to make friends with an adult out of all the beings in the court. Of course, Tasha seemed to be his only aged playmate other than Ro, so the little Prince had to take what he could get, and so far Silvano was awesome. Heiro grinned and looked down at his legs. What the man said was true, beetles had many legs while Hei only had...won..tooo, treee, fore! He looked up jubilantly at Silvano, his parents would be so proud he was actually listening to them when they tried teaching him to count.

Yes, Hei only had 4 legs, and was thankful for it, but at the mention of the roly-poly bugs, the pup’s grin only widened. He was a great fan of the gray critters. Liking to poke his wet nose against their backs or breath heavily on them so they’d turn into small balls. Ro liked smashing them once they did that, but Heiro preferred to gently push them with his large paws to see how long they’d stay all rolled up on themselves. It was a great way to spend a day once you found an old log harboring them all.

His hopeful light blue eyes stared back up at Silvano as his green met his. He took an exaggerated swallow, his tongue slipping back into his maw, but Silvano’s words quickly changed his nervous appearance to one of pure joy once more. Oh aye prom-miss, Heiro said with emphasis. No way would he screw up his chances with the horses. You have un?! More excited discovery than question, but Hei quickly followed the male, scuttling underneath the fence and happily bobbing beside Silvano’s legs. This would be a day he’d remember.

Heiro started at the sharp whistle emanating from Silvano. Wide eyed, the puppy stared up at the tall male, completely in awe that he could create such a loud noise using his hands. Aye wished aye culd shif, he said in a pouty tone before turning his attention back to the beast Silvano was trying to call over. Ded srs! Heiro tried to mimic, though his voice was smaller and a bit unsure feeling awkward that he’d even try to command one of the giant horses in the field. His little growl was pathetic compared to Silvano’s, but it seemed the man’s urgency was all that was needed to have the horse come towards them.

Hei slightly cowered beside Silvano, a bit terrified that the colt towered so high above him and a bit unsure about being so close to one of the horses. Wat if he eats me? He kept thinking to himself, but he tried to remain strong next to his new friend and forced himself to stand firm on his four legs. The names Silvano called his horse helped Heiro loosen up. He giggled uncontrollably at the mention of butts, but a little squeal escaped his mouth when the colt snorted in response.

Heiro gulped and looked up at the massive head lowering towards him once he was introduced. Umm..hi Hair-tidge, he managed to squeak out as the beautiful brownish-red furred horse snorted and nudged at him. The hot sweet scent of Heritage enveloped the little Prince as the horse breathed on him, obviously taking interest in such a diminutive creature. Hey, dat tickles! He began to laugh as the whiskers of the horse brushed against his face and fur. At some point his little tail had began to wag again. Maybe these horses weren’t so bad afterall.

Is Tidge hongry? He shyly asked Silvano as many children seemed to have a fascination with feeding other animals.

The colt’s breath warmed the pup’s fur as he continued to giggle beneath its hooved feet as a curious nose investigated the black and white furred child. The rough whiskers pierced through the hybrid’s guard hairs and probed directly down to the tender skin beneath, sending even more spasms of giggles through the child as Silvano agreed they could feed his friend Heritage and slipped away for a few seconds. Yeah ya ungrayt-ful beastie! Heiro echoed Silvano as he playfully lurched his head backwards to go nose to nose with the colt. His little nostrils flared in and out as he breathed in the horsey air but those whiskers were too much.

Achoo!! He sneezed, the force of the exhale knocking him backwards to stare up at the horse between his paws. Another fitful of giggles bubbled forth as he clumsily rolled back to his belly, tail wagging wildly for his new friend to come back with something good to feed Heritage. The man returned shortly with an apple and Heiro made a knowing “uhuh” sound when his eyes fell upon the piece of fruit. Ah yes, my Da told me horsies like em...apples an all, he explained, feeling proud of himself that he had remembered this little lesson.

Woah, was dat noise? The little prince asked as a lick of fear came back into him at the deep rumbling sounds Heritage had produced, but upon realizing that it was just the colt who seemed just as pleased and excited as he, Heiro swallowed his little knot of doubt growing in his throat and began to roll the apple towards the large ungulate. Here go Tidge...its really gud! He assured the gentle giant before giving the apple a good push with his snout.