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Literature Text
Wick
Ok. So he was stupid. Yet here he was, chilling, in Aryn territory. IN the territory. Actually quite far from the border. The big male hadn’t been seen and he hadn’t caught sight of Kitty Cat either. Which made him sad. Yet there was more pressing matters. Like his grumbling stomach.
Rumble.
Slapping a paw to his stomach Wick gave a whine. He was about to do something really dumb. Like hunt inside the territory lines. With no clear escape routes. Puffing up, he began searching for prey. Except what he found was something he couldn’t take down by himself. He was too small. A injured buck, a fire wound on his shoulder making it hard to walk was a perfect target.
Except well he had antlers. Ugh he needed help. A distraction so he could take that bite. Thinking quietly, he didn’t realize the deer was incredibly dumb and would basically fall off the edge of a small ridge.
Plop!
Wick went to go see and he saw the deer couldn’t get up anymore. Hopping in excitement he went to go finish the deed, not realizing he had an audience again. He locked his teeth around the struggling buck and held on, tail wagging until the deer stopped moving before panting and letting go.
Woo! DEER!
Catalaya
She was bored. Worse than that, she was restless. Cat had grown a bit stronger since they had made the journey to the Winter Den, and she hated staying put now. The trip had opened her eyes that there was a large world out there and so much she didn’t know about. Not being able to talk, she couldn’t tell anyone what she wanted, so, more often than not, she got dismissed with a kind smile and a look of confusion. It was frustrating. She smiled to herself. She had learned that word recently. Frustrating. Everyone said that, and Cat liked that word despite not knowing the entire meaning.
It was frustrating that people were missing, and it was frustrating that Lady Athena was sick. It was frustrating that Cat was bored, but she did something about it. She left the Den and wandered through the snow, avoiding the big drifts by walking under the tree branches. Despite not knowing the meaning of the word, doing this was not frustrating, it was fun, and fun took her quite a distance away from the Den before she realized it. Coming out from under a snow-laden bough, she looked about, which did nothing because she’d never been here before. The good news was, she knew how to get back--by following her original path.
Sniff! Her ears perked up after her nose registered something aside from the crisp pine and sharp cold. Sniff, sniff! A smile crossed her face, and she spun in a happy circle. Ick! She had thought never to see him again after he’d vanished the first time, but he was back! Nearby! A few more sniffs triangulated his direction, and Cat dove off with abandon, ignoring large drifts (and physics) as she ran through the undergrowth.
However, when she burst through the last row of bushes between her and her friend, she met with a solid wall of flesh that was not him. After her hind end telescoped into her front end, she sat hard on the ground, blinking dumbly. This was not Ick. This was food.
Wick
A dull ”thump” caught his attention and wick jumped to his feet. Spinning around till he was almost dizzy it took him a moment to realize who was with him. Kitty cat?
“Kitty Cat!?” He said happily, tail going a mile a minute as he went to stand over the ribs of the deer and boop the female on the nose.
“Long time no see! Are you ok Kitty? Didn’t scare ya did I? You hungry?” Wick asked, gesturing to the deer. He pondered for a moment. Would she get in trouble if she was caught with him? Or the deer? What would happen?
“Is the big guy with ya? I’m not gonna get eaten yea?” He joked, eyes glittering.
Catalaya
Cat’s own tail cleared a patch of snow behind her after seeing Ick and receiving a very warm nose boop. Did he scare her? Her head shook ‘no’. Was she hungry? Constantly! Was the ‘big guy’ with her? Ferble? A wordless chuckle and head shake. Was Ick gonna get eaten? She paused a moment in confusion, looking to the deer, then understanding sunk in, and she shook her head again. Nope! No Ferble to eat him!
She rose to her paws and shook herself off. Once cleared of snow, she bounded around the deer to properly greet Ick, bowing down into a play posture. There were no other pups her age back at the Den; most of the mothers there weren’t expected to whelp until closer to Spring, so Cat was alone. But, Ick was her age! At least, by his size, she considered him the same age, and, the other great thing was, he understood her! Still in her play posture, she looked about, tongue lolling and eyes wide then looked back at him.
What is all this? So much white! So many trees! And Mama says there’s more!
Wick
She still didn’t talk but for wick it was easy. Deep down inside he just knew. It was an ease that was born deep down inside. Something that he should be considering but at the same time, eh? It was normal for him. Let him enjoy his friendship with his Kitty Cat.
Speaking of, the golden female bounded up to him, play bow complete. Snapping his jaws playfully, Wick bowed back, before barking and swerving, jumping over the deer gracefully before smashing into a pile of snow with a whoop.
Poking his head out of the drift, he gave Cat a wicked grin.
“Come on Kitty! Unless you’re afraid of getting sick!” Wick taunted playfully, sticking his tongue out, not realizing he was echoing orders of the golden female.
Catalaya
The golden pup was into the play, dizzy by it. Rag played with her a bit, but he was afraid of hurting her, it seemed. Uncablue was gone, but, when he had been around, he had entertained her and took her for short walks around the other den. Momma played, too, but never too rough or for too long, and, if Cat sneezed, it was off to Uncablue for more of the icky sticky stuff that made her throat numb and her eyes sleepy. This was true play! But, then, Ick dove into the snow, and Cat paused, wary.
“Come on Kitty! Unless you’re afraid of getting sick!” Well, she wasn’t afraid of getting sick--Momma said she was born sick. The golden pup, for once in her short life, was afraid of getting more sick. Uncablue had said so: If she got too wet or too cold, she would need more icky sticky stuff and stay in the nest forever! Ok, he hadn’t said ‘forever’, but more than a day seemed like it. Cat frowned deeply. Uncablue wasn’t here anymore, and Momma was out hunting or something, so, maybe, if no one saw her, she wouldn’t get sicker?
A bark of excitement, and Cat threw herself over the carcass into the snow drift. Her thin body didn’t go too deep into it, but it went deep enough for the edges to collapse onto her. Instead of fear, she found laughter, pushing her nose up and out until she could breathe but not revealing any more of her body. It was strangely warm under here.
Wick
The young male laughed uproariously, swinging his heavier body to break the snow, making it easier for Kitty Cat to move. He had seen her skinnier than even him, and it wasn’t like he had an abundance of food at his disposal.
Speaking of food…
His stomach roared again, demanding attention. Smiling sheepishly at Cat, he got out of the snow and headed to the deer.
“Come on Kitty, you’re as skinny as a twig. Let’s share a leg at least. If you’re pack is having issues with food maybe you can let them know about this deer?” Wick suggested, before he realized what he said. Oh goodness, if his mama heard those words come out of his mouth she would beat him six ways to the full moon!
Damascans don’t share period! Why was he even sharing with kitty?! Why was he so comfortable with her? He stored those questions for later and began using his long fangs to cut the meat from a shoulder of the deer, making a right mess of it but still taking it for a snack for the duo.
“Come on Kitty! Let’s eat!”
Catalaya
Cat’s eyes grew large at his offer to bring food to her pack. She nodded, looking back to the Winter Den. Then, she looked back to Ick, smiled, and dove in enthusiastically. She wasn’t long on solid food, but, oh, how delicious it always tasted! The golden pup, used to portioned bits of meat, saw no better way to begin but to bury her head in the corpse. When she raised her head to chew, her face was red.
“Ick! MmmmMmmm!” The golden pup purred, licking her lips theatrically. She watched him carefully, licking her lips, but, this time, curiously. “MmmMmm?”
Momma always said that when they ate. It felt weird, not hearing Momma smacking beside her, but eating with Ick was fun. She really did like him. He felt like Rag and Ferble, but he was more fun, and he didn’t try to make her make the hard noises. She would try, though, if he asked. His mouth moved like hers couldn’t, and it wasn’t as big as everyone else’s. She hadn’t told Momma about Ick yet, and she wondered if she should. What if Momma told Ferble? Ick would get scared and run away!
Cat buried her head in the carcass again, eating slower this time.
Wick
Well she wasn’t nothing but enthusiastic. Snort. Wick sat down and watched, realizing his buddy must be incredibly sheltered if she just dove into the deer. When she came up, red as one of the berries he squished as a puppy, he gave a deep belly laugh before he too joined her. Taking that leg, he tore into it. Both messy and a gentle wolf at the same time.
This deer was really good. Most of the time he just scavenged or stole, maybe got some rabbit but today, luck was on his side with the deer. It was delicious.
“It’s delicious Kitty I agree. You let me know when you wanna head back ok? I’ll help you clean your face and we can drag back the deer. Your mama will be so happy!” Wick said, tail wagging. He knew shera would be happy if he came back with a deer so hopefully Kitty Cat’s Mama would be proud too!
Catalaya
The golden pup swallowed and studied the deer. Her gaze slowly turned back in the direction of the Winter Den. There were pre-mommas and old wolves back there who might be hungry--that’s what Momma had told her. Pre-mommas and the old wolves got to eat first now that Cat was a bit bigger. She still got enough to make her belly poke out, but she just had to wait her turn, which was ok. The older wolves would tell stories while they slowly ate, and the pre-mommas would tell her about their pups even though they couldn’t see them. (She was gonna be their Big Sister-!).
She turned back to Ick, mouth working furiously. “Mmmmmaaaa! Ssssnnnn. Mmmmaaa!”
Cat let out a frustrated snort. Why was it so hard to make the right noises? Ick did it! He said the right noise for ‘Momma’! Even if he said it differently.
Wick
Cracking the fore shank bone and eating the marrow from deep within he looked up. She was trying so hard. Taking his tongue, he worked it over his fangs before standing and stretching.
“Mah-mah.” He said slowly, moving his mouth in an exaggerated way. If he could show her how to at least say mama maybe her mom would be happy. Like a gift. It would also save his ass if he got caught in the territory. Moving to the snow drift, he took the top layer of powder off before coming up to Kitty, slowly cleaning her face.
“It’s all how you move your tongue against your teeth. Mah-mah.” He said again, showing her in that exaggerated way again before grabbing the back of the buck’s neck and lifting his head.
“Home?” He asked, tilting his head in question.
Catalaya
At first, Cat thought he was making fun of her, talking so slow and just making noises, but, then, a light went on in her head. Eyes glued to his mouth, she soundlessly began to mirror him. It felt strange and hard, like her mouth didn’t want to go like that, but she forced it to. She was about to try to make the sounds when he spoke another word. She frowned and put her paws on his shoulders, knocking the deer from his mouth, her expression determined.
“Mmmmaaa...mmmammm…” Cat said, jaw aching as she did. But, she wasn’t near finished. “Maa...maa. Ma-ma? M-ama?”
For some reason, with that one word--it was no longer a sound--her eyes welled up with tears. She blinked them as she looked at Ick hopefully. That was right, right? Just for good measure, she tried again.
“M-ama!” She wanted to say it a thousand times. She wanted to say more. Cat ventured, “Ickk? Iiick?”
Wick
Not paying attention, when she smacked him with both her front paws on her shoulders he whined pathetically.
”Awww Kitty come on I was just trying to help! Wait a minute...what?” He said, realizing what she was doing. Nodding his head enthusiastically, his tail going insane he howled when she said her word. She did it!
“You did it Kitty Cat! You said your first word! Your mama is gonna be so happy!” He crowed, bucking like a happy horse. He then pushed mid jump. Ick? Who the heck was ick? Oh wait! She was trying to say wick.
“Wick. Wee-ick” he explained, in the same manner he explained mama to her. Slow, exaggerated. Tail wagging and eyes brights
Catalaya
Her happiness and pride at being cheered for her first word sank with his name. Wick. Now, how did he move his mouth like that? Undaunted, she shook herself and mimicked the movement.
“Woooo….Woooo-iiickkk. Www-iiickk,” Cat struggled. Going from sound to sound wasn’t that easy. The whole breathing and moving her mouth was a challenge. How did everyone else do it so easily?
Still, if she could say ‘Mama’, she could say ‘Wick’ and every other word that wolves said. She let him go, turning towards the Winter Den.
“W-ickk. M-ama.” Then, because he had said it, she attempted, “Ho-ohm. M-ama. Ho-ohm, W-ick?”
Three words! She could not fathom in her tiny mind how happy this would make her Momma (and everyone else who’d watched her make noises when other pups talked). Her mind was still on feeding everyone, though, despite her achievement. She looked at Wick purposefully.
“H-ome, W-ick.”
Wick
His smile could not of been bigger. His friend had done it! No longer was she silent! No longer would she be frustrated! She could talk!
Chuckling, he grabbed the buck’s neck again.
“Demanding little Kitty Cat. Ok show me the way home ok. I can help you take the deer but I can’t stay long ok? I don’t think your family is gonna like a loner like me hanging round.” He explained, a wry smile on his face as he began to slowly drag the buck after the pointed direction Cat set him on.
At least it was easy to follow the snow tracks.
Ragnarok
His aunt was in a tizzy. A panic attack induced tizzy. Like Kane had to take her to the healers and they had the wardens out looking for Cat tizzy. Sighing, the big male chuckled. Of course his baby cousin would cause an uproar today.
“Catalaya! CATALAYA WHERE ARE YOU?!” He bellowed, pricking his ears to listen. His eyes scanned the area, catching the faint tracks. Snow had been falling. Chuckling he began following them, an amused smile on his face.
“Cat, honey, your mama is looking for you!” He called out.
Catalaya
“Ooooh!” the golden pup winced, hearing her cousin. She was going to be in trouble!
Cat looked to Wick, saying, “Rrrr-aackk. Eennnnn. M-ama, nnnnnhmmm!”
Which translated, in her mind, to, “That’s Rag. Mama isn’t happy!” She’d work on the other words at another time, but, right now, she had to find Rag and make sure Mama was happy again. She took another purposeful look at Wick then dove into the bushes whence she’d came. Maybe she could prepare Rag for Wick? She had to try! Wick was her friend, and he had food! She thought all this as she bounced through the snow, coming, finally, upon her cousin. Her tail and posture was part nervous, part excited.
Without thinking, she said, “Rrrr-aackkk! Rr-aack!”
Ragnarok
Well he will just yell her name more often. She came bounding out of the bushes and he bent down to greet her, a smile on his face before he cocked his head.
“Close enough squirt. It’s Rag. Rag-nah-rock. It’s a mouthful though so everyone says rag. What are you doing all the way out here?” He asked gently, lifting his head. He took a deep breath, catching the scent of deer.
“Did you see a deer? Maybe we can tell master Hani and master Lawson about that hm?”
Wick
None of these Aryn wolves has good timing. Like at all. The bellow of the wolf scared the living tar out of Wick. Dropping the deer he watched as Cat went out to meet him. Yet being left along he began working himself into a tizzy. Looking. Around in a panic, he began trying to scale the slick walls back up the way he came. Yet he failed.
Falling down repeatedly, he whined, looking around desperately. He didn’t want to die.
Catalaya
Cat blinked and her mouth gaped. When she had said Wick’s name, he’d been so happy and cheered her. She said Rag’s name, and he just asked about the deer? Well, she wanted to get his attention, and she knew a surefire way to do so.
“R-ack!” she barked before hopping up and biting his nose, where she hung like squirrel on a tree.
What she had to say was important, and he was gonna listen! Wick was afraid of everyone beside her, and she didn’t like that one bit. Her friend had taught her to say words, and he was bringing a deer, too. She couldn’t say much, but she would have wolves listen when she did speak!
Ragnarok
Totally unexpected. Letting loose a Yelp, he sat his ass down with a bellow.
“AYE LA MADRE! CATALAYA LET GO!” Using a paw, he gently detached his cousin, sternly looking at her.
“Ok ok what is it?”
Wick
He heard another bellow and yelp, biting his lip he dove into the bushes scared for his life. What if they were hurting Cat. What if that was the reason why she couldn’t talk? They beat her!
OH! What should he do? Whining he, tried hiding for right now, thinking fast and trying to gather some courage.
Catalaya
Satisfied with his attention, the golden pup gathered her thoughts. This needed to be clear.
“R-ack,” she said firmly, looking at her cousin. Then, she turned her face towards the bushes. “W-ick. H-ome.”
There. It wasn’t perfect, but she hoped Rag understood. She knew the word she wanted to say, but if ‘W’ had been difficult for her, ‘F’ was a tall mountain she wasn’t ready to tackle. Home was important, second to Momma, and she had tried to stress the important correlation between her friend and there. How could she make it clearer that Rag was not to hurt Wick? Pursing her lips, she thought of one word Momma said often about her.
“R-ack. W-ick mmmmiiiinne,” she stressed, tiny hackles raised even as her tail
wagged.
Ragnarok
Cocking his head, he listened. Wait, when did Cat start speaking? His eyes widened and he dove into his cousin, giving her a big resounding kiss.
“Aye que linda.” He said happily before focusing on the broken sentence she offered him.
Rack. That was him. Easy enough.
Home obviously was home. The winter den. With her mom. Auntie.
Yet, who was wick? Did she name the deer? Did Cat have a pet deer? Oh by the one that will be hard to explain!
“Princess, can you show me this wick? I would very much like to meet this wick. I promise I won’t hurt him...her?” He said softly, looking down at his cousin with a soft expression. They had to hurry. Amara would skin them.
Wick
It was quiet. Was Cat ok? Did they hurt her? Sticking his head out the bush, he crept out, shivering still. What would he do? Did he run back to shera? Maybe they could steal Cat? Damasca could be a better home for her. He just had to make sure the coast was clear so he could head home.
Boss Vargas could help! He would know what to do!
Standing next to the deer he looked down, and then up, waiting to see if Kitty Cat was coming back. Yet all was quiet. Biting his lip, he gave a small ‘aroo’. Pricking his ears. He waited. For a sign, an answer. Something.
Catalaya
Cat’s ears perked at the tentative howl. She gave Rag a ‘Look’ then bounded into the bushes. Once there, she bumped her head against Wick’s shoulder, gave him a nicer ‘Look’ before turning back to where her cousin ideally followed. She felt a touch of anxiety. Would Rag attack? Wick had clearly sought to escape. Would he try to run again? She sighed. All she wanted was for her friend to meet her family.
It was frustrating.
Ragnarok
Ok, obviously it wasn’t a deer. Unless deer howled. Yet that meant it was a wolf. A wolf that wasn’t part of the pack. The hair rose on the back of his neck, and he reached for Cat, hoping to stop her but she slipped through his claws.
Dammit.
Scrambling after his cousin, he was totally not prepared for what he found. There Cat stood next to a small young male wolf, whom look terrified. Behind the duo laid a deer.
Well then.
“Is this Wick princess?” He asked softly, padding forward, relaxing his body. This wasn’t a vektreni male. This was a small loner pup. Probably starving with winter on them.
“You’re on Aryn territory bud. Do you seek sanctuary? Are you injured?” Ragnarok asked, sitting down, bending his head down to look the two youngsters in the face.
Wick
His breathing picked up and he crouched low behind Cat. The male wolf that followed her was just as large as the Big Guy from the last time meeting Cat.
Holy hell, was every male wolf this big? They could knock his head off with one swipe of a paw!
“Uh uh hi!” He squeaked, ears flying down and tail wagging slowly.
“My name is wick. I’m just passing through. I got hungry and found this deer. Think it fell down the ridge uh uh and uhm I’m not hurt. Just cold. Can can I stay around the border at least till it gets warmer? So I can get through the pass to get back to my mama?” Wick rambled, jumbling lies and truths in one story as he stared up at Ragnarok. He flipped his head to Cat and whined pathetically.
“Kitty, I can’t go be near a pack. My mama will go into a tizzy. It’s bad enough that I’m cut off from her ya know?”
Catalaya
Looking between the two males as they spoke made Cat dizzy. She shook her head and focused on Wick, her tail thumping encouragingly until he begged her not to take him to the Winter Den. Her tail stopped, and her ears drooped. She’d had this big image of them all snug in the cave, eating the deer, and telling stories, but it saddened her more to hear that he was unable to get to his momma. She couldn’t imagine being away from Momma for more than...however long she’d been out here. With a sigh, she made a choice.
To Wick, she said, “H-ome?”
To Rag, she said, “W-ick h-ome, R-ack. H-ome-?”
There it was. Rag, can you help Wick get home? She would miss her friend, and a part of her had already formed the idea that, if he went away, she’d never see him again, but he would be with his momma and happy. That was important--that Wick be happy. More important than playing or learning how to talk. Wick had to be happy.
Ragnarok
“Woah kid relax. I’m not gonna eat you. Are you sure you don’t want to come to the den? The healers can look you over, you can stay with us until it’s warmer. I’m sure your mama would appreciate you not freezing your ass off.” Ragnarok said, ears flicking as his eyes roved over the little body. Wick could stay with them. It wouldn’t trouble anyone to let a juvenile to hang out with them.
Turning his head to Cat, he cocked his head and patiently waited. It took him a shade slower then he wanted but he grasped the concept she was trying to convey.
“You know how it is right now princess. I can’t leave my wife or the pack. Maybe cousin Bri or your mama can take him? The rangers will have to decide. But we will have to ask them first. Come both of you, wick you won’t have to step inside the den area but I’ll show you the way in case you ever need to find us ok? The storm is gonna get bad and your mama, Catalaya, is gonna tan your hide if you don’t get home soon.”
Stepping between the two he grabbed the deer, and smiled,
“Legs please.”
Wick
This was all super confusing. It felt like Vidar rolling his ass because he was bugging him so much. Around and around he went but he listened!
He whined again, nudging Cat.
“I’m sorry. I’ll still go see where your home is and if anything happens I’ll go straight there! It’s not goodbye just yet Kitty Cat I promise. I won’t leave ya just yet. Now come on! Let’s get you back to your mama. Sounds like she’s in a tizzy. I bet the deer and your first words would make her super happy.” He said happily, quietly even before he heard the command in Ragnarok's voice. He went to grab deer legs and wagged his tail at Cat, showing he was ok.
He promised.
Ok. So he was stupid. Yet here he was, chilling, in Aryn territory. IN the territory. Actually quite far from the border. The big male hadn’t been seen and he hadn’t caught sight of Kitty Cat either. Which made him sad. Yet there was more pressing matters. Like his grumbling stomach.
Rumble.
Slapping a paw to his stomach Wick gave a whine. He was about to do something really dumb. Like hunt inside the territory lines. With no clear escape routes. Puffing up, he began searching for prey. Except what he found was something he couldn’t take down by himself. He was too small. A injured buck, a fire wound on his shoulder making it hard to walk was a perfect target.
Except well he had antlers. Ugh he needed help. A distraction so he could take that bite. Thinking quietly, he didn’t realize the deer was incredibly dumb and would basically fall off the edge of a small ridge.
Plop!
Wick went to go see and he saw the deer couldn’t get up anymore. Hopping in excitement he went to go finish the deed, not realizing he had an audience again. He locked his teeth around the struggling buck and held on, tail wagging until the deer stopped moving before panting and letting go.
Woo! DEER!
Catalaya
She was bored. Worse than that, she was restless. Cat had grown a bit stronger since they had made the journey to the Winter Den, and she hated staying put now. The trip had opened her eyes that there was a large world out there and so much she didn’t know about. Not being able to talk, she couldn’t tell anyone what she wanted, so, more often than not, she got dismissed with a kind smile and a look of confusion. It was frustrating. She smiled to herself. She had learned that word recently. Frustrating. Everyone said that, and Cat liked that word despite not knowing the entire meaning.
It was frustrating that people were missing, and it was frustrating that Lady Athena was sick. It was frustrating that Cat was bored, but she did something about it. She left the Den and wandered through the snow, avoiding the big drifts by walking under the tree branches. Despite not knowing the meaning of the word, doing this was not frustrating, it was fun, and fun took her quite a distance away from the Den before she realized it. Coming out from under a snow-laden bough, she looked about, which did nothing because she’d never been here before. The good news was, she knew how to get back--by following her original path.
Sniff! Her ears perked up after her nose registered something aside from the crisp pine and sharp cold. Sniff, sniff! A smile crossed her face, and she spun in a happy circle. Ick! She had thought never to see him again after he’d vanished the first time, but he was back! Nearby! A few more sniffs triangulated his direction, and Cat dove off with abandon, ignoring large drifts (and physics) as she ran through the undergrowth.
However, when she burst through the last row of bushes between her and her friend, she met with a solid wall of flesh that was not him. After her hind end telescoped into her front end, she sat hard on the ground, blinking dumbly. This was not Ick. This was food.
Wick
A dull ”thump” caught his attention and wick jumped to his feet. Spinning around till he was almost dizzy it took him a moment to realize who was with him. Kitty cat?
“Kitty Cat!?” He said happily, tail going a mile a minute as he went to stand over the ribs of the deer and boop the female on the nose.
“Long time no see! Are you ok Kitty? Didn’t scare ya did I? You hungry?” Wick asked, gesturing to the deer. He pondered for a moment. Would she get in trouble if she was caught with him? Or the deer? What would happen?
“Is the big guy with ya? I’m not gonna get eaten yea?” He joked, eyes glittering.
Catalaya
Cat’s own tail cleared a patch of snow behind her after seeing Ick and receiving a very warm nose boop. Did he scare her? Her head shook ‘no’. Was she hungry? Constantly! Was the ‘big guy’ with her? Ferble? A wordless chuckle and head shake. Was Ick gonna get eaten? She paused a moment in confusion, looking to the deer, then understanding sunk in, and she shook her head again. Nope! No Ferble to eat him!
She rose to her paws and shook herself off. Once cleared of snow, she bounded around the deer to properly greet Ick, bowing down into a play posture. There were no other pups her age back at the Den; most of the mothers there weren’t expected to whelp until closer to Spring, so Cat was alone. But, Ick was her age! At least, by his size, she considered him the same age, and, the other great thing was, he understood her! Still in her play posture, she looked about, tongue lolling and eyes wide then looked back at him.
What is all this? So much white! So many trees! And Mama says there’s more!
Wick
She still didn’t talk but for wick it was easy. Deep down inside he just knew. It was an ease that was born deep down inside. Something that he should be considering but at the same time, eh? It was normal for him. Let him enjoy his friendship with his Kitty Cat.
Speaking of, the golden female bounded up to him, play bow complete. Snapping his jaws playfully, Wick bowed back, before barking and swerving, jumping over the deer gracefully before smashing into a pile of snow with a whoop.
Poking his head out of the drift, he gave Cat a wicked grin.
“Come on Kitty! Unless you’re afraid of getting sick!” Wick taunted playfully, sticking his tongue out, not realizing he was echoing orders of the golden female.
Catalaya
The golden pup was into the play, dizzy by it. Rag played with her a bit, but he was afraid of hurting her, it seemed. Uncablue was gone, but, when he had been around, he had entertained her and took her for short walks around the other den. Momma played, too, but never too rough or for too long, and, if Cat sneezed, it was off to Uncablue for more of the icky sticky stuff that made her throat numb and her eyes sleepy. This was true play! But, then, Ick dove into the snow, and Cat paused, wary.
“Come on Kitty! Unless you’re afraid of getting sick!” Well, she wasn’t afraid of getting sick--Momma said she was born sick. The golden pup, for once in her short life, was afraid of getting more sick. Uncablue had said so: If she got too wet or too cold, she would need more icky sticky stuff and stay in the nest forever! Ok, he hadn’t said ‘forever’, but more than a day seemed like it. Cat frowned deeply. Uncablue wasn’t here anymore, and Momma was out hunting or something, so, maybe, if no one saw her, she wouldn’t get sicker?
A bark of excitement, and Cat threw herself over the carcass into the snow drift. Her thin body didn’t go too deep into it, but it went deep enough for the edges to collapse onto her. Instead of fear, she found laughter, pushing her nose up and out until she could breathe but not revealing any more of her body. It was strangely warm under here.
Wick
The young male laughed uproariously, swinging his heavier body to break the snow, making it easier for Kitty Cat to move. He had seen her skinnier than even him, and it wasn’t like he had an abundance of food at his disposal.
Speaking of food…
His stomach roared again, demanding attention. Smiling sheepishly at Cat, he got out of the snow and headed to the deer.
“Come on Kitty, you’re as skinny as a twig. Let’s share a leg at least. If you’re pack is having issues with food maybe you can let them know about this deer?” Wick suggested, before he realized what he said. Oh goodness, if his mama heard those words come out of his mouth she would beat him six ways to the full moon!
Damascans don’t share period! Why was he even sharing with kitty?! Why was he so comfortable with her? He stored those questions for later and began using his long fangs to cut the meat from a shoulder of the deer, making a right mess of it but still taking it for a snack for the duo.
“Come on Kitty! Let’s eat!”
Catalaya
Cat’s eyes grew large at his offer to bring food to her pack. She nodded, looking back to the Winter Den. Then, she looked back to Ick, smiled, and dove in enthusiastically. She wasn’t long on solid food, but, oh, how delicious it always tasted! The golden pup, used to portioned bits of meat, saw no better way to begin but to bury her head in the corpse. When she raised her head to chew, her face was red.
“Ick! MmmmMmmm!” The golden pup purred, licking her lips theatrically. She watched him carefully, licking her lips, but, this time, curiously. “MmmMmm?”
Momma always said that when they ate. It felt weird, not hearing Momma smacking beside her, but eating with Ick was fun. She really did like him. He felt like Rag and Ferble, but he was more fun, and he didn’t try to make her make the hard noises. She would try, though, if he asked. His mouth moved like hers couldn’t, and it wasn’t as big as everyone else’s. She hadn’t told Momma about Ick yet, and she wondered if she should. What if Momma told Ferble? Ick would get scared and run away!
Cat buried her head in the carcass again, eating slower this time.
Wick
Well she wasn’t nothing but enthusiastic. Snort. Wick sat down and watched, realizing his buddy must be incredibly sheltered if she just dove into the deer. When she came up, red as one of the berries he squished as a puppy, he gave a deep belly laugh before he too joined her. Taking that leg, he tore into it. Both messy and a gentle wolf at the same time.
This deer was really good. Most of the time he just scavenged or stole, maybe got some rabbit but today, luck was on his side with the deer. It was delicious.
“It’s delicious Kitty I agree. You let me know when you wanna head back ok? I’ll help you clean your face and we can drag back the deer. Your mama will be so happy!” Wick said, tail wagging. He knew shera would be happy if he came back with a deer so hopefully Kitty Cat’s Mama would be proud too!
Catalaya
The golden pup swallowed and studied the deer. Her gaze slowly turned back in the direction of the Winter Den. There were pre-mommas and old wolves back there who might be hungry--that’s what Momma had told her. Pre-mommas and the old wolves got to eat first now that Cat was a bit bigger. She still got enough to make her belly poke out, but she just had to wait her turn, which was ok. The older wolves would tell stories while they slowly ate, and the pre-mommas would tell her about their pups even though they couldn’t see them. (She was gonna be their Big Sister-!).
She turned back to Ick, mouth working furiously. “Mmmmmaaaa! Ssssnnnn. Mmmmaaa!”
Cat let out a frustrated snort. Why was it so hard to make the right noises? Ick did it! He said the right noise for ‘Momma’! Even if he said it differently.
Wick
Cracking the fore shank bone and eating the marrow from deep within he looked up. She was trying so hard. Taking his tongue, he worked it over his fangs before standing and stretching.
“Mah-mah.” He said slowly, moving his mouth in an exaggerated way. If he could show her how to at least say mama maybe her mom would be happy. Like a gift. It would also save his ass if he got caught in the territory. Moving to the snow drift, he took the top layer of powder off before coming up to Kitty, slowly cleaning her face.
“It’s all how you move your tongue against your teeth. Mah-mah.” He said again, showing her in that exaggerated way again before grabbing the back of the buck’s neck and lifting his head.
“Home?” He asked, tilting his head in question.
Catalaya
At first, Cat thought he was making fun of her, talking so slow and just making noises, but, then, a light went on in her head. Eyes glued to his mouth, she soundlessly began to mirror him. It felt strange and hard, like her mouth didn’t want to go like that, but she forced it to. She was about to try to make the sounds when he spoke another word. She frowned and put her paws on his shoulders, knocking the deer from his mouth, her expression determined.
“Mmmmaaa...mmmammm…” Cat said, jaw aching as she did. But, she wasn’t near finished. “Maa...maa. Ma-ma? M-ama?”
For some reason, with that one word--it was no longer a sound--her eyes welled up with tears. She blinked them as she looked at Ick hopefully. That was right, right? Just for good measure, she tried again.
“M-ama!” She wanted to say it a thousand times. She wanted to say more. Cat ventured, “Ickk? Iiick?”
Wick
Not paying attention, when she smacked him with both her front paws on her shoulders he whined pathetically.
”Awww Kitty come on I was just trying to help! Wait a minute...what?” He said, realizing what she was doing. Nodding his head enthusiastically, his tail going insane he howled when she said her word. She did it!
“You did it Kitty Cat! You said your first word! Your mama is gonna be so happy!” He crowed, bucking like a happy horse. He then pushed mid jump. Ick? Who the heck was ick? Oh wait! She was trying to say wick.
“Wick. Wee-ick” he explained, in the same manner he explained mama to her. Slow, exaggerated. Tail wagging and eyes brights
Catalaya
Her happiness and pride at being cheered for her first word sank with his name. Wick. Now, how did he move his mouth like that? Undaunted, she shook herself and mimicked the movement.
“Woooo….Woooo-iiickkk. Www-iiickk,” Cat struggled. Going from sound to sound wasn’t that easy. The whole breathing and moving her mouth was a challenge. How did everyone else do it so easily?
Still, if she could say ‘Mama’, she could say ‘Wick’ and every other word that wolves said. She let him go, turning towards the Winter Den.
“W-ickk. M-ama.” Then, because he had said it, she attempted, “Ho-ohm. M-ama. Ho-ohm, W-ick?”
Three words! She could not fathom in her tiny mind how happy this would make her Momma (and everyone else who’d watched her make noises when other pups talked). Her mind was still on feeding everyone, though, despite her achievement. She looked at Wick purposefully.
“H-ome, W-ick.”
Wick
His smile could not of been bigger. His friend had done it! No longer was she silent! No longer would she be frustrated! She could talk!
Chuckling, he grabbed the buck’s neck again.
“Demanding little Kitty Cat. Ok show me the way home ok. I can help you take the deer but I can’t stay long ok? I don’t think your family is gonna like a loner like me hanging round.” He explained, a wry smile on his face as he began to slowly drag the buck after the pointed direction Cat set him on.
At least it was easy to follow the snow tracks.
Ragnarok
His aunt was in a tizzy. A panic attack induced tizzy. Like Kane had to take her to the healers and they had the wardens out looking for Cat tizzy. Sighing, the big male chuckled. Of course his baby cousin would cause an uproar today.
“Catalaya! CATALAYA WHERE ARE YOU?!” He bellowed, pricking his ears to listen. His eyes scanned the area, catching the faint tracks. Snow had been falling. Chuckling he began following them, an amused smile on his face.
“Cat, honey, your mama is looking for you!” He called out.
Catalaya
“Ooooh!” the golden pup winced, hearing her cousin. She was going to be in trouble!
Cat looked to Wick, saying, “Rrrr-aackk. Eennnnn. M-ama, nnnnnhmmm!”
Which translated, in her mind, to, “That’s Rag. Mama isn’t happy!” She’d work on the other words at another time, but, right now, she had to find Rag and make sure Mama was happy again. She took another purposeful look at Wick then dove into the bushes whence she’d came. Maybe she could prepare Rag for Wick? She had to try! Wick was her friend, and he had food! She thought all this as she bounced through the snow, coming, finally, upon her cousin. Her tail and posture was part nervous, part excited.
Without thinking, she said, “Rrrr-aackkk! Rr-aack!”
Ragnarok
Well he will just yell her name more often. She came bounding out of the bushes and he bent down to greet her, a smile on his face before he cocked his head.
“Close enough squirt. It’s Rag. Rag-nah-rock. It’s a mouthful though so everyone says rag. What are you doing all the way out here?” He asked gently, lifting his head. He took a deep breath, catching the scent of deer.
“Did you see a deer? Maybe we can tell master Hani and master Lawson about that hm?”
Wick
None of these Aryn wolves has good timing. Like at all. The bellow of the wolf scared the living tar out of Wick. Dropping the deer he watched as Cat went out to meet him. Yet being left along he began working himself into a tizzy. Looking. Around in a panic, he began trying to scale the slick walls back up the way he came. Yet he failed.
Falling down repeatedly, he whined, looking around desperately. He didn’t want to die.
Catalaya
Cat blinked and her mouth gaped. When she had said Wick’s name, he’d been so happy and cheered her. She said Rag’s name, and he just asked about the deer? Well, she wanted to get his attention, and she knew a surefire way to do so.
“R-ack!” she barked before hopping up and biting his nose, where she hung like squirrel on a tree.
What she had to say was important, and he was gonna listen! Wick was afraid of everyone beside her, and she didn’t like that one bit. Her friend had taught her to say words, and he was bringing a deer, too. She couldn’t say much, but she would have wolves listen when she did speak!
Ragnarok
Totally unexpected. Letting loose a Yelp, he sat his ass down with a bellow.
“AYE LA MADRE! CATALAYA LET GO!” Using a paw, he gently detached his cousin, sternly looking at her.
“Ok ok what is it?”
Wick
He heard another bellow and yelp, biting his lip he dove into the bushes scared for his life. What if they were hurting Cat. What if that was the reason why she couldn’t talk? They beat her!
OH! What should he do? Whining he, tried hiding for right now, thinking fast and trying to gather some courage.
Catalaya
Satisfied with his attention, the golden pup gathered her thoughts. This needed to be clear.
“R-ack,” she said firmly, looking at her cousin. Then, she turned her face towards the bushes. “W-ick. H-ome.”
There. It wasn’t perfect, but she hoped Rag understood. She knew the word she wanted to say, but if ‘W’ had been difficult for her, ‘F’ was a tall mountain she wasn’t ready to tackle. Home was important, second to Momma, and she had tried to stress the important correlation between her friend and there. How could she make it clearer that Rag was not to hurt Wick? Pursing her lips, she thought of one word Momma said often about her.
“R-ack. W-ick mmmmiiiinne,” she stressed, tiny hackles raised even as her tail
wagged.
Ragnarok
Cocking his head, he listened. Wait, when did Cat start speaking? His eyes widened and he dove into his cousin, giving her a big resounding kiss.
“Aye que linda.” He said happily before focusing on the broken sentence she offered him.
Rack. That was him. Easy enough.
Home obviously was home. The winter den. With her mom. Auntie.
Yet, who was wick? Did she name the deer? Did Cat have a pet deer? Oh by the one that will be hard to explain!
“Princess, can you show me this wick? I would very much like to meet this wick. I promise I won’t hurt him...her?” He said softly, looking down at his cousin with a soft expression. They had to hurry. Amara would skin them.
Wick
It was quiet. Was Cat ok? Did they hurt her? Sticking his head out the bush, he crept out, shivering still. What would he do? Did he run back to shera? Maybe they could steal Cat? Damasca could be a better home for her. He just had to make sure the coast was clear so he could head home.
Boss Vargas could help! He would know what to do!
Standing next to the deer he looked down, and then up, waiting to see if Kitty Cat was coming back. Yet all was quiet. Biting his lip, he gave a small ‘aroo’. Pricking his ears. He waited. For a sign, an answer. Something.
Catalaya
Cat’s ears perked at the tentative howl. She gave Rag a ‘Look’ then bounded into the bushes. Once there, she bumped her head against Wick’s shoulder, gave him a nicer ‘Look’ before turning back to where her cousin ideally followed. She felt a touch of anxiety. Would Rag attack? Wick had clearly sought to escape. Would he try to run again? She sighed. All she wanted was for her friend to meet her family.
It was frustrating.
Ragnarok
Ok, obviously it wasn’t a deer. Unless deer howled. Yet that meant it was a wolf. A wolf that wasn’t part of the pack. The hair rose on the back of his neck, and he reached for Cat, hoping to stop her but she slipped through his claws.
Dammit.
Scrambling after his cousin, he was totally not prepared for what he found. There Cat stood next to a small young male wolf, whom look terrified. Behind the duo laid a deer.
Well then.
“Is this Wick princess?” He asked softly, padding forward, relaxing his body. This wasn’t a vektreni male. This was a small loner pup. Probably starving with winter on them.
“You’re on Aryn territory bud. Do you seek sanctuary? Are you injured?” Ragnarok asked, sitting down, bending his head down to look the two youngsters in the face.
Wick
His breathing picked up and he crouched low behind Cat. The male wolf that followed her was just as large as the Big Guy from the last time meeting Cat.
Holy hell, was every male wolf this big? They could knock his head off with one swipe of a paw!
“Uh uh hi!” He squeaked, ears flying down and tail wagging slowly.
“My name is wick. I’m just passing through. I got hungry and found this deer. Think it fell down the ridge uh uh and uhm I’m not hurt. Just cold. Can can I stay around the border at least till it gets warmer? So I can get through the pass to get back to my mama?” Wick rambled, jumbling lies and truths in one story as he stared up at Ragnarok. He flipped his head to Cat and whined pathetically.
“Kitty, I can’t go be near a pack. My mama will go into a tizzy. It’s bad enough that I’m cut off from her ya know?”
Catalaya
Looking between the two males as they spoke made Cat dizzy. She shook her head and focused on Wick, her tail thumping encouragingly until he begged her not to take him to the Winter Den. Her tail stopped, and her ears drooped. She’d had this big image of them all snug in the cave, eating the deer, and telling stories, but it saddened her more to hear that he was unable to get to his momma. She couldn’t imagine being away from Momma for more than...however long she’d been out here. With a sigh, she made a choice.
To Wick, she said, “H-ome?”
To Rag, she said, “W-ick h-ome, R-ack. H-ome-?”
There it was. Rag, can you help Wick get home? She would miss her friend, and a part of her had already formed the idea that, if he went away, she’d never see him again, but he would be with his momma and happy. That was important--that Wick be happy. More important than playing or learning how to talk. Wick had to be happy.
Ragnarok
“Woah kid relax. I’m not gonna eat you. Are you sure you don’t want to come to the den? The healers can look you over, you can stay with us until it’s warmer. I’m sure your mama would appreciate you not freezing your ass off.” Ragnarok said, ears flicking as his eyes roved over the little body. Wick could stay with them. It wouldn’t trouble anyone to let a juvenile to hang out with them.
Turning his head to Cat, he cocked his head and patiently waited. It took him a shade slower then he wanted but he grasped the concept she was trying to convey.
“You know how it is right now princess. I can’t leave my wife or the pack. Maybe cousin Bri or your mama can take him? The rangers will have to decide. But we will have to ask them first. Come both of you, wick you won’t have to step inside the den area but I’ll show you the way in case you ever need to find us ok? The storm is gonna get bad and your mama, Catalaya, is gonna tan your hide if you don’t get home soon.”
Stepping between the two he grabbed the deer, and smiled,
“Legs please.”
Wick
This was all super confusing. It felt like Vidar rolling his ass because he was bugging him so much. Around and around he went but he listened!
He whined again, nudging Cat.
“I’m sorry. I’ll still go see where your home is and if anything happens I’ll go straight there! It’s not goodbye just yet Kitty Cat I promise. I won’t leave ya just yet. Now come on! Let’s get you back to your mama. Sounds like she’s in a tizzy. I bet the deer and your first words would make her super happy.” He said happily, quietly even before he heard the command in Ragnarok's voice. He went to grab deer legs and wagged his tail at Cat, showing he was ok.
He promised.
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