HOWLENTINES — for Ivandri (but Aksel and Ive can join!)

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Legs, arms, tail — and two pairs of clumsy, oversized paws. The little potato would waddle, testing and exploring the boundaries of the den. Of course, she wasn't allowed far from her mother and siblings, as well as the strange, speckled, spectral spectator that lingered with them, as well.

But Sazora would waddle anyway, pushing toward the mouth of their makeshift den until the bite of cold stopped her in her tracks. A small yip escaped her lips as she squinched up her tiny face, narrowing her baby-blue eyes against the cruelty of the world.

In the distance, she saw the soft pink glow. And she could smell something very unusual.

Maaaaaaa! She would squeal, turning on her heels with a small stumble, waddling as fast as she could before collapsing at her mother's side. The small bean continued to squeak with ferocity, likely to wake Aksel at this point with all of her rukus. Burrowing, the little girl would hide her face from the bite of the cold, escaping from the weird smell by smothering herself in Ivandri's fur. 

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Ivan had been busy tidying up the back of the den and grooming her beautiful son Axel when she heard the screech of Sazora. The echo of her name from tiny onyx lips brought the mothers adrenaline on high, Sazora collapsed at her side and started squeaking with such ferocity Ivandri frowned and knitted her eyebrows together with great concern.

Sazora buried herself into the mothers side and Ivandri smiled a little, pulling herself around the bundles of fur that lay at her flank. Sazora... Ivan hummed gently, so softly it was nearly a whisper, Whatever is the matter my sunshine? the pale being questioned to her even paler child. Peachy rimmed optics gazed all along the fur of her baby to make sure she was unharmed, and when she was satisfied with the state of her she gently tilted her head to the right in question.

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As was usual for the ghost, she lay at the entrance, buffeting the cold wind as best she could for the little family. The babes were growing so quickly, it seemed, and she took quiet joy in watching them waddle about. This morning, Sazora was feeling especially adventurous and came toddling in Devika’s direction. Raising a brow at the pup, she couldn’t help but feel amused as the little one squealed for her mother before burying herself into the warmth of Ivandri.

Shifting her position to better interrupt the wind curling into the small den, Devika watched Ivan with gentle eyes as she tended to her young. So sweet. So wholesome. She was utterly unworthy to be privy to such things. It still surprised her that Ivan hadn’t run her off yet.

She was nothing more than a silent specter hovering nearby. There was no name, no true purpose, just her existence. Hunting and protecting the family were all she was really able to give them, and she took those duties seriously.

Riarxis had been slumbering peacefully until the squeaks and squeals of his sister split the air, dragging him rudely back to consciousness. He let out an annoyed huff as he stirred. His eyes blinked open, only to be greeted by the same endless darkness.

Frustration bubbled up immediately, sharp and familiar, and he released it in a short, irritated yip.

Refusing to let his limits keep him from being involved, he nosed his way toward his squealing sibling and gave her a gentle nip. Shhhh! he snapped, far more forcefully than necessary.

Couldn’t she just behave?

It was only after shushing her that the scent on the wind finally registered. It was… sweet. Too sweet. Sickly, almost. The intensity irritated his nose, overwhelming and unpleasant. There was a faint floral note beneath it, something almost nice, but it didn’t help much.

With a small huff, he buried his face into Mama’s fur, seeking refuge from the cloying smell, just as his sister had done.

Skill:

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The softness of her mother's fur was a welcome reprieve, the familiar scent of sweet florals flooding through Sazora and calming her quaking nervous system. Mother's voice was gentle, as soothing as her fur was soft, and Sazora would eventually settle with a few additional (albeit dramatic) little noises.

The golden girl would pull her head upward, glancing toward her mother with that soft, childish innocence. Is weird o'side! The smell, the color! Didn't anyone else notice? Didn't anyone care? Something about the smell was sweet and warm, but ... but ... why was it so weird??

From beneath Ivandri's fur, Riarxis would shush her, and Sazora would pout and toss her tongue out in his direction. Of course, she was still learning that Riarxis was different in the way that he wouldn't see that — but perhaps it was for the best her childish sass be invisible to him right now. No matter. Ree! She would complain loudly in his direction before turning back to her mother.

There was a burning curiosity behind her gaze as the warmth of the strange floral scent gradually spread through the den. There was uncertainty, and yet ... desire to know more. Sazora's little eyes would turn back toward the mouth of the den in soft, silent questioning.  

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Riarxia snipped a Shhhh! at his sister and nipped in her direction before burying his face into her side. She glanced to The ghost, who she hadn't named just yet, and smiled a little sheepishly before turning her gaze back to Sazora who exclaimed it was weirid outside before calling out to her nipping brother. Sazora turned back towards the mouth of the den and Ivan placed a gentle lick to Ria's forehead before doing the same to Sazora and pulling herself from them to stand.

She hunched herself down a little so she didn't brush the top of the dugout den and made her way to the opening that was protected by the dappled one. She smiled down at her as a silent way of saying excuse me before stepping past her and turning her attention to the flickering light outside.

There was a brightness that emitted a coloration similar to the rising suns sky, a sweet floral scent that brought back memories of warmer, brighter, times. Ivan raised herself up to her full height and looked at the flickering light, tilting her head she turned her head over her shoulder and chuffed for the children to follow. She knew this was fire, and a part of her worried it would spread, if it hadn't already then she assumed they were safe. For right now at least.

She would take slow steps through the wooded area to try and make her way towards the flame that danced rose colored in the slight distance. Her peachy optics narrowed slightly as she neared the flame, a twisting began in her belly as she lifted her head to scent the air. She stopped to wait for her children, and the protector if she wished to follow, turning her head over her should to smile and wave a high curled plume in an inviting way for them.

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Watching the children interact drew a small smile across the ghost’s face. They were precious, truly, and most certainly pawfuls. When Ivan rose and gestured that she might pass, Devika shifted to give the mother ample space. Curious, she watched Ivan as she chuffed softly to her children and began to move.

It took a moment for realization to strike.

When Devika understood where Ivan was headed, terror seized the dappled she-wolf. She scrambled to her paws and bolted after her friend, skidding to a halt directly in front of her. Teeth flashed as Devika snarled, the fur along her back fully bristled. She was walking straight toward the Devil, with the children. Absolutely not.

The instant it sank in what she had just done, her ears flattened and horror washed across her face. Still desperate to protect her companion, Devika shook her head emphatically. Blue eyes pleaded as she lowered herself to her belly and crawled forward, gently resting her head atop Ivan’s paw. A pitiful whine slipped from her throat as she gestured back toward the den.

Her eyes begged, glassy with unshed tears.

Hearing his sister screech his name, his ears folded back and he winced. It was far too loud for such an enclosed space. Letting out another sharp yip in response, he tried to settle back into a comfortable position against his mother, only for her to stand.

Wait.

Where was she going?

Riarxis listened as she slowly shuffled away. Outside? The sound of her chuffing for the children to follow reached his ears, and resentment immediately welled in his chest. What was he supposed to do? He had never been outside before.

A small whine slipped from him as he curled in on himself, the cold wind spilling into the den now that the wraith had bolted.

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It seemed that Sazora was the bravest of them all, blazing through the entrance of the den and into the light. Axel was much more accustomed to the dark, shadowy walls of the dugout den. He much preferred the cool, packed space of all of them in here together. Yet, one by one, they'd leave the den. Until it was just Riarxis and he.

The little shadow would groan softly, agreeing mostly with his littler brother — he'd rather stay in and sleep. Though for Riarxis, he supposed that was all he really saw. So, Axel found his way to his side and, begrudgingly, made his way outside, guiding his brother out. He wouldn't be the one to let his little brother stay alone in the dark.