Take a Look Around the Room

The passing days had only expanded the boy's curiosity. The blurs he once grew accustomed to had come into focus and the wonders of outside became more tempting as his mother would leave to perform her duties. He wasn't sure why they couldn't just go with her and frankly even if they were allowed to go outside the den, he wanted to go further. Past attempts were usually reigned in with one of their guardians close behind to usher them back to their hole, but today he was determined to go further.

After @Célnes had left them under the care of their guardians, he was quick to slip out while his siblings slept. To him, he thought he had been perfectly sneaky, though realistically his absence was likely noticed. It would only be a matter of time until someone came for him, so he was quick to trot to the nearest undergrowth to try and hide from the bushes. Maybe if he was out of sight his babysitters would just pass him and he could wander off after they were gone. Better yet, maybe he could scare someone.

the staff team luvs u

They were growing more bolder as the age grew up, "Where do you think your going, Calhoun?" Though often the Queen left the litter with @Teodora, @Vaskian and even @Calliope, she often couldn't help but twine herself back to just a peak. As a new mother, there was situations she didn't expect, such as the keen motherly nurture that unexpectedly developed for Célnes ; for someone who she thought would reject the unholy mixture, there was a protective barrier against them. Like only she can comment about it, and at times if she ever saw another look at their marks of scorn, there was a few times she had to pull back a snarl.

They were hers.

The litter itself was a strange mixture.. Sometimes the Deorwine woman felt herself pull back when it came to Calhoun and @Rohesia, everytime she saw them, they were a dead looker for the cousins. Some part of her chuckled at even naming them the same way, but perhaps it was but a way to ask forgiveness for the High Elk, to let them be reborn under a more.. Ruled, society, where instead of risk of the murderous cousin, they would have the protective mother.

In a way, it was her own sin.

She approached her son, sneaking away as the rest slept, and she stood behind him. A mothers smile, one of 'oh you are in trouble.'

the staff team luvs u

It wouldn't take long for a voice to call him out, though it wasn't someone in the direction he was expecting. It came from behind. The boy was slow to tip his head back until her murky blues landed on the rich browns of his mother's coat. She smiled at him, but something sent a chill through his body at the sight. “ I'm- I'm splorin'.” He tripped on his words slightly, still adjusting to his new voice. They were allowed outside the den after all, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

“I dinnit go far! See!” He poked a paw out the front of the bushes he had been hiding at to the mouth of their den. Sure enough, it wasn't that far away, but no one was coming like he had originally hoped. “Where yuu go?” Perhaps the fact that he was in trouble had still gone over his head ever so slightly, but he wanted answers.

the staff team luvs u

The Queen did not pay attention to young when she was within Kingslend, or even those of the pack she had temporary joined to heal her wounds, long ago. They were an annoyance, blabbering and screaming, all she could hear was them squealing for their parents. Though it could've been a bit jealousy that wouldn't be admitted, for the neglected Deorwine did not have the same luxury of sleeping with her parents - upon being weaned did she immediately get tossed aside, like baggage. 

It was different now, when it came to her other child. She couldn't help but raise a brow and chuckle so slightly at his blubbering of sentence, a twirling of attempting noises, but he was not poise enough to create such a sound, "Exploring? Without a guard?" she so said with a muse while craning her head down, a small lick across his forehead.

Though he was not far, there was still a slight fear if he did so. Célnes would hope he was not that moronic to leave so far, especially as the Elkshire wolves kept them strictly by eye, "When you are of someone of power, it does not mean you can laze around. Even a Queen has to patrol like the rest." Especially since they were lacking of manpower, though there was some that wandered the area, and slowly adjusting back to a power once held.. She still had to adjust ; her own body was weakened by the need to patrol, rather then settling her frail pregnant body at the time. It was in truth, that the did not fully recover.

"You can come along if you can keep up," for a moment of silence and then asked her little boy - in obvious though she would slow done for him to keep up. Though a small walk for the two would not do any harm.

the staff team luvs u

Without a guard? Did he really need one? There wasn't anything scary. The elken boy shook his head before raising it high, “I guard myself.” After all, he thought he was fairly capable after tussles with his siblings. If he ran into a problem he could just bite it.

He would have complained about how long it took her to patrol had she not finished. Responsibilities as Queen or not, weren't there others to walk around the woods? She could do the duties closer to them! Before he could voice his complaint though, she offered for him to follow to which he came racing out of the brush. “Really?!” Oh how @Edith would be jealous. After all, he was the first to get to walk around the territory and accompany their mother somewhere.

the staff team luvs u

"You can do that when you are older, you're too small for that at the time." To see her children run across The Elk's Crown, freely laughing and talking ; a peaceful time the Queen would dream. Though her ambitions may not allow so, as after all, she may love them so, their birth held a purpose. Add to the power they so lacking, and conquered with blood of her own, a loyalty she was unable to truly obtain in this land.. Some held truth, but now she always had to worry whether they too, would leave.

And her thirst for more would not let Elkshire be contained in a singular forest.

She smiled at Calhoun, nudging him with a paw to move along as her long legs taking a slow pace as they drifted from, "Wherever the elk walks, is ours to claim. For we, are Deorwines."

the staff team luvs u

A disgruntled pout found its way to his maw as his mother claimed he was too small to guard himself. Maybe he was small, but he bet he could run faster than anyone. He'd rather just bite them, but if he had to surely he would have no problems making it back to one of his guards or Celnes. “What time then?” It was still early, but maybe when they got back from their patrol it would be the right time for small wolves to guard themselves.

Before his mother could respond though, he was nudged forward into his puppy trot. “Everywhere?” As far as he was concerned, it might as well be everywhere. He likely would never make it to the border on his own to find land without elk. “Where's Vaskin go?” His name had been butchered, but it was a good attempt. Usually, he only saw him by the den though, so just how far was this claim?

the staff team luvs u

"Give it.. Until you are as tall as I." He was still small enough where she felt if she brushed her tail against him he would roll over. Small and gentle, fragile like the leaves that carry upon the branches, but far too lively to stay still. He was disgruntled and pouted, and she only chuckled while mentioning so. The Queen wasn't a small wolf, she was a bit taller then average and often held her chest and head high, keeping the regal illusion she so tempted. The day they were taller then herself, would be the day they could wonder alone.

 Célnes wondered if he would reach the height as him, or remain smaller..

"Vaskian is special," the Deorwine woman started, "he goes where he pleases, and king of his being ; not all are like him. Wherever the herd is, is where we claim."

Though she wondered if Calhoun would understand that, as admittingly so, the mother struggled to simplify teachings to a lesser level.

the staff team luvs u

His pout only seemed to deepen as she explained how tall he would need to be before she was satisfied. How would he ever be that tall? Maybe if he was old, but that took too long. He squinted, his mind trying to think of a way, but being so young he couldn't come up with much. There had been those funny rocks though....maybe if he stood at the top of them he could be taller than her! He'd just have to prove it to her later. For now...he'd let it go.

Continuing his puppy trot alongside his mother he'd tilt his head, large ears leaning to the side with the exaggerated movement. “But you'r Queen? 'N one day I be King! So whys he spech—spechil.” There was no differentiation to him as to how the two were different, nor that he might not actually be king one day, but for now, that is what he would believe.

the staff team luvs u

"You are a Prince ; one of the many royal heirs. The day I am no longer here, one of you will inherit the crown." She didn't think that far ahead, for generally Celnes was still rather young. She knew arriving to the land her age seemed.. A bit younger, so at the time she could not say her accurate age was, besides an adult, but one of young age. Someone who would not rest in the grave anytime soon. 

When the time to retire though, she did wonder - which of her children would succeed?

the staff team luvs u

Calhoun paused for a moment at her explanation. The fact that he might not wear the crown one day seemed to go over his head as he let his head flop to the side, “Ya, so whys Vaskin spech— ... go where he want but not us?” If he was king and decided where to go, why then, could they not go where they wanted as royalty? Realizing he had paused long enough for his mother to get a yard or so ahead he was quick to gallop back to her side.

the staff team luvs u

"You are too young." She chuckled slightly, as the most obvious of answers were to come. Though they were of a royal litter, they were limited to but segments of The Elk's Crown, and always, was with some sort of mentor or guard. She was wary to let them go around too far, especially as so small and dainty, weak in body and soul ; a mother's yearning to keep them close and safe.

"Those like Vaskian, though free to go where he desires.. Is always wary someone may attack them. Not all wolves, avoid hunting elk and deer like ourselves. Rather, they are counted as a favorite meal to many." They were never brought any meals that consisted of elk or deer, as they held dearly members who were of both. The Queen felt a reluctance on hunting even the non-horned ones, for the thought of them to talk. A sign, by the High Elk themself, Celnes had thought.

"Though wolves hold reign to lands. We own this, but beyond our own forests, are more that are claimed by others. Such as the unknown guests you may remember. They claim a different forest. If you are not part of them, it is best to stay away." Momentarily paused while watching him bundle after her. A quick lick to his snout, as they continued walking. Her gaze sometimes wondered to the rustling of the bushes, where birds would occasionally tweet out toward them.

the staff team luvs u

tagging hunter since hes learning more about types of food/what other wolves eat

---

“Eat them?” The concept was foreign to his small brain. He had only truly feasted on small prey so far aside from the regurgitated meat once fed by his mother. To eat something so big...well, he wasn't sure how they could even get one to eat. “But Vaskin nice man... Why others wanna eat?” So far he was closer to a dad than his real dad and eating family...well that didn't sound right. “Do others eat us?”

So far he hadn't seen a creature bigger than them that ate meat. @Vaskian only chewed on green stuff even if he offered him some of his rabbits in the past. If there were others willing to eat Vaskian though then was anything really off the table?

Celnes pressed a kiss to the bridge of his nose and it seemed to give him a newfound burst of energy as he bounded forward before pushing his head into a bush. Two birds were startled out by his sudden appearance, flocking out of the growth, quickly taking to the air as his small jaws snapped at their feathers though never reached.

the staff team luvs u

"You never eat your own kind, for that is a sin.. Though there are the occasional, who do. You never trust them, for they are called cannibals." She warned her son of these devils within the lands. Personally though she has never met one, and if she did - it was unknowing. Some part of her wandered whether the Nightwalkers have done so, but for the peace of mind, she did not question it too much. It was their own business for what occurs within their forest, just as it was Elkshire's own business what rules were to be within. 

"Some simply find them as a fine meal. Within our Déorwine family, doe's were allowed to be hunted, and they too were a meal. Yet that is not allowed in this forest, we wouldn't want to harm @Vivian or any who @Vaskian likes." Some part of her too missed the hunt of so, and the taste. It wasn't a favorite, but it was something to enjoy. She never knew the taste of a stag, only that of a wandering doe. To say that they were meals granted by the High Elk themselves, and a blessing to the wolves who once relied on them to survive.

Yet, within Elkshire, she had banned it completely. For what would it be if someone were to accidently hunt the two that seemed of divine? It was safer, to ban it altogether. She watched the birds fly high and the feathers drop low, her son trying to catch some and snapped at the air idly. When a feather dropped by her own feet, her paw breezed against it - watching it flutter on by.

the staff team luvs u

Calhoun said little as his mouth twisted while he processed everything he had been told. Cannibals sounded nasty. Why would someone want to potentially eat their friend or family? Even if they weren't there was plenty of food to avoid that. Though something his mother said did leave him confused. “Eating does are ok?” If the High Elk had said so then why did they not now?

He supposed it made sense not to eat them given those they had relations with, but now he couldn't help but wonder what they tasted like... “What about those not in our herd?” If it was just so Vaskian didn't lose his friends couldn't they eat the ones that didn't live here? “Can I try one?” This time he slowed to a stop, turning to watch his mother as she passed as the trip was beginning to wear on his paws.

the staff team luvs u

"Not those who remain in our land, you must go further, away from the elk and deer that know of us. Though remember, for wherever a doe may be, a stag will surely be nearby. It's a must, to be careful." She warned him, for truly the Queen would not mind if her children hunted elsewhere. Maybe one day she would bring further away from that of the crown, and hunt the attempt of a straying doe. She momentarily thought of the Blackwood Reach, and if so carried of the elk. Though there was a herd centering around them so, she knew not of the others that would stray across the land. There was never one herd, after all, and surely some wandering males from the origin heard of The Elk's Crown splintered off to make their own.

"One day i'll take you and your brothers and sisters, and to observe how to hunt doe." She motioned to turn slightly as they were getting close to the edge, though she did not stray closer to it. Perhaps if he looked close enough, he could see the breaching of The Elk's Crown into the doe's range. Celnes looked back though, her son though slowing in but a minor exhaustion. She wondered how long it would be to grow out his legs, and for him to run on.. Yet, stay within the Elkshire forest. Would he, or would he venture on?

the staff team luvs u

She hadn't said no outright, and so he would hold onto that like a verbal IOU card. He couldn't help but wonder how they differed now from the prey he was used to eating. So far he liked boar which was the largest thing he could eat, so bigger was better right? And Vaskian was hugeeeeee.... for now, all he would say though was a simple acknowledgment, “Okay.”

His endless boyish questions seemed to be drawing to an end as they lingered towards the forest's edge. Mother wouldn't go any further but now he could see where the trees thinned and the realization that there was something much bigger out there made him pause. “I thought it was all trees! Where'd they go?”

the staff team luvs u

"Beyond our forests are far more then just trees. You'll see endless plains, rivers extending far and wide, ponds that you cannot see across, and great mountains you can never hope to find. In some places are even where the winter never ends, a cold that will always be. Our own world is rather small." When she stopped and peered through the trees, the Queen spoke of great lands - some she knew she hadn't seen. Even she did not know of a deserts existence, only thinking that of beaches that turn to forests or plains. She knew of the ocean and saw it briefly, though the visiting was rather short, and soon turned back into the mountains and forests.

"Everywhere, looks different," she so explained.

the staff team luvs u

can prob start wrapping this thread up since he's more developed now

---

Calhoun only listened with open ears and wide eyes as he stared out into the unknown. Everything his mother spoke of made little sense in his little brain. He had never heard of mountains or plains and the cold she spoke of he had never truly experienced...not yet at least. It sounded fantastical like a story just for kids, but how was he to know that it was all true? “I wanna see— can we go?” He turned back to Celnes with a tilt of his head, ears flopping over with the motion.

Truthfully it was much too far, even these plains had worn him out, but he didn't want to admit and end his adventure now. How was he to cross such obstacles to this land of winter when he could barely leave his home? Maybe one day he would see, or perhaps the fascination would die out. Only time would tell.

the staff team luvs u

"Another time, you are too young," she licked his flickering ears in motherly affection, not denying his thirst for knowledge - but saved for another day, "for now we shall return home." Though home was all around, she looked at her little prince and imagined that he was a bit exhausted in mind and body. The most they gone was a bit around the royal den, and it was the first she had taken them truly this far. Calhoun had his moment, she pondered slightly how the rest should be, for it'd be a bit fair they too, have some find..

Though what they didn't know wouldn't harm, and unknowingly did not know her child would not keep it a secret, causing but a stream of walks with the rest. She saw him as too much like her cousin, when at the moment he was still but a developing child. She remembered her cousin as reserved, only came through when it came toward the Deorwine religion - otherwise beloved by those of the family.

Yet, her son looked the same.. He was not, and she at times, forgot that.

With so, she turned around and motioned him to follow to return home.

the staff team luvs u

Though he was mildly disappointed by her response, there was no denying the pins and needles spreading through his paws with each step. Even now he wouldn't admit that he was tired, but fortunately for him, his mother had already decided it was time to turn back. With a lick to his ears, she guided him back to the den where he would promptly brag of his adventures and sleep like a brick.

the staff team luvs u