okay, ankle-biter

---

Antornuat had tracked a lone doe out to the range, smaller than it should be and a lot more idiotic, allowing her to grace its presence before throwing out its hind legs in a kick she dodged and bolting off. For the doe's unfortunate luck, the wolf relentless, quick-witted where she lacked physical macho to brutalize her way through its demise, not expending herself in some short burst in hopes of catching it, instead favoring to follow it until it tired... but when she felt success nearing, the realization she'd soon be able to take off after it and tear down a meal that'd feed her for days—

—she jerked around to a noise and, quickly, a scent, like milk.

A whelp?

"I do hope you're not trying to startle me," she said, tone flat and expression deadpanned, lips thinned. "You're rather poor at it."

---

 

@Declan
the staff team luvs u

Declan had woken himself up smack dab in a herd of deer. A terrifying sight for a pup who had the vague memory of going to sleep within a tucked away den. Suddenly going from pitch cold darkness to the striking golden color of a field was startling, especially at his age. It didn't help that the herd of deer were just as surprised at the slightly malnourished pup's presence as he was. As response to this a few of the deer had quickly stood, scampering away slightly while the males remained attentive, sniffing and staring at him with those beady eyes of theirs.

That was where the yelp had come from.

One of them had moved closer, harshly stepping on his little tail. "Ow!" He'd yelped loudly, immediately whimpering as he skidded away. This had only upset the herd, heavy snorts and chuffs arising from the crowd.

The pup truly only had one thing he could do, and that was run. He hoped he could find his parents. Anyone, really. His second best option was the lean form of an adult wolf not too far away.
the staff team luvs u

---

Ah, yes, a whelp.

Not as fat as she'd seen most pups his age, the color of bloodied earth or sun-scorched bark, Antornuat didn't opt to busy herself with the endeavors of unruly pups who oft ran from their parents or sitters. It led her to playing caregiver—she didn't much view herself as the mothering type but pathetic she'd be if she didn't look to him and feel a pang of sympathy for how pitiful he seemed, sighing with reluctance leaving her pale lips, she met him, finding him to look rather...small at her forepaws.

"You look miffed," she said, noticing the watery sheen to his eyes and the awkward way he held his tail. Antornuat lowered her head to scent him, ensuring he wasn't mortally wounded before withdrawing with a huff, softening her voice to no avail. "Everything alright, little one?"

---

the staff team luvs u

Declan came to a halt at the wolf's paws. He had skidded there, sitting down upright in the process. He had to look up at her just to get a glimpse at her face. I mean really look up. Wowzers was she tall! Or was he short? His mother had always said he was a tall pup, but in the sight of this wolf he found himself doubting her words.

'Miffed'. What was that word? He didn't know what it meant, so he dumbly tilted that little head of his.

"You speak weird. Are you calling me ugly? You're ugly!" He quickly quipped, having forgotten all about the reason he'd been running. He didn't think twice about the possibility of the creatures following after him. He wasn't a threat to them at his small size either way.

The quickness of his response had conveyed the answer to her second question; Declan was obviously more than fine. Sure, his tail was a little sore, but that was the least of his worries right now.
the staff team luvs u

---

A sharp grin, revealing fang and amusement that'd make a wiser wolf balk, claimed her maw—oh, what a feisty one, words as cutting as pup teeth could aim to be. "Miffed means annoyed, quite like I am with you," said Antornuat, her throat rumbling a chuckle that would deceived her sentence as intended. She lowered her front down, shoulders shifting above her tilted head, eye-to-eye with the boy as a whuff of feigned indignation claimed her. "Aren't we just two ugly leaves of the same branch... what a shock we've found each other."

Children weren't her specialty nor did she try to improve, instead treating the pup none unlike she would a wolf twice his age. "Do your parents know you're causing a ruckus on the range or are you who I deliver my complaint to?"

---

the staff team luvs u

"Then I'm very very miffed!" He didn't seem to register that her words had meant to be insulting. He was just taking this as a friendly discussion. She seemed very nice to him. Aside from calling him ugly.

The red tipped child had craned his head back slightly as she moved to be face to face. Those beady orange eyes of his fixated on the larger, seeming to be invested in every little move she did.

At the mention of his parents he seemed almost a little upset. His round ears that seemed a bit too big for his tiny head flicked and flopped with the movement. "I don't know where they are. Daddy left and Mum's gone." The pup seemed to have a definite tone. He meant to convey that both were gone, and they weren't going to come back for him. That was all he could truly recall. The memory of the youngster was fuzzy. He can remember that his father was gone before his mother was, but that was it. The only thing he knew for sure at this moment was that he was alone - although not for long! He was exceptionally lucky this horrendous looking lady had found him! She may be a little mean, and she sure does speak creepily, but she was his best shot in this moment. His best shot at what? He didn't have half a clue, but he'll figure it out eventually.
the staff team luvs u

---

"Well, that's no good, is it? Why're you so miffed?" Antornuat wasn't truly interested in the emotions of a child, eyes on him while her ears remained affixed to the hopeful sound of an approaching parent coming to collect their loin gremlin but the longer she amused him... the longer she was allowed to process their shared circumstance. It wasn't so long ago she was puked up in the Temperate by some river she hated. He stunk of elsewhere, just as she once did. This remained a mere suspicion until he spoke, bat-ears emoting for him, and for that, she truly did soften. Fail to understand them as she did, she wanted children to have their comforts.

If she understood him right, Antornuat supposed this would be her duty...

...until she could pawn him off on the nearest pack or hopeful leaders.

Antornuat lowered the rest of the way, settling onto her stomach and she outstretched a paw to tug the boy close, obnoxiously snuffing him between the ears and then the cheeks. At least if he was annoyed he maybe wouldn't cry. "This place is curious like that, makes us lonely for some reason but—" she clicked her tongue, shrugging. "—that's not our problem to figure out, though, is it? Mhm-hm, no, but do you want to know what is our problem, little one?" Antornuat allowed him a moment to ponder, reply and then, "Well, we're each other's problems, now I do suppose. Two ugly leaves on an ugly branch. How fitting."

---

the staff team luvs u

Why was he miffed? Oh! "Those deer were lookin' at me weird." He'd huffed a little, looking down for the slim moment. That wasn't the only reason he felt 'miffed', but it was the easiest way he could understand it. The deer looked him funny, and then they stepped on his tail! It wasn't his fault he was pushed between them. By... something. Was it his parents who returned only to leave him again? He doubted so. If they'd done that he would've hoped they'd at least stay a few more minutes until he woke up just to utter a 'goodbye, I love you'. Those deer could've relayed the message too, instead of looking at him like he was a fish out of water! Maybe he was. Because this place smelt odd to him. It was uncomfortable, like he didn't fit.

Yet the scent of the she-wolf felt comforting. She didn't radiate the aura of his mother, nor not someone he may immediately view as such. More so a surrogate in this moment. Someone he could at least trust in these confusing times. He didn't know what laid ahead of him within this world, but he had a feeling she had a grasp of it at least.

He'd listened to every word he spoke, sitting within her grasp as he stared at her. Her words seemed inspiring to him. Sure, they were alone, but thank the moon that he found her! That he would forever be grateful for.

When she left the moment of silence for him to think and respond he did just that - what was their problem? Lots of things, he guessed. Yet, he went with the first answer that crossed his tiny little mind, "not smelling?" That seemed simple enough. They may be ugly, but they better make sure they don't smell! That was one of the basics of life, wasn't it? making sure that you at least smell nice for those around you. You never want to be the smelly pup of the group.

'Eachother's problem'. That answer made a lot more sense than his own. In fact, it even comforted him more. He could trust her, he really could. They really were two peas in a pod!
the staff team luvs u

---

She hummed in acknowledgment of his response, lifting her head up and narrowing her gaze in search of the deer he spoke of, one of which was perhaps her doe, Antornuat couldn't see any now but the scent they left behind was undeniable. "Deer are usually imbeciles—that means stupid—that's why we eat them, don't let them make you annoyed," she didn't approach the world being truly bothered by much, not necessarily blessed with a cool head but rather favoritism of her own solitude which in and of itself offered her a desire for placating and avoiding. If she were to haul him around until some pack welcomed him in, he'd need to learn food was merely that: food. Antornuat couldn't help but chuckle, low and earnest in her amusement, not smelling, well, at least he took to some proper things with concern. "That, yes, the second greatest atrocity a wolf can commit is smelling like a bear's maw—the first is never knowing when to lie, lucky for you and I... we're only ugly—" Antornuat tapped her nose to his chest and receded, looking down at him between her paws. "We smell delightful."

With the flick of an ear, she felt rather than saw the sun beginning to take its leave from the sky, the air turning cool and the night creeping in; the truly lucky part for both of them was that she'd managed to make a decent den from an old fox's burrow. "My den isn't so far from here, we'd better get moving before the sun sets entirely," she told him, rising with a huff.. "I've cached this thick thing of a rabbit, we'll call that dinner tonight. Come along, little one, keep up."

Antornuat didn't doubt he'd follow, nor did she care to learn his name or deliver her own, entirely convinced by the next night he'd be thrown beyond some borders she couldn't cross and her concerns would involve only her.

Little would she know this evening she'd gained a nearly permanent shadow.

---

the staff team luvs u

As she looked up and around in search of the deer that had offended him he did as well. It was his half attempt at aiding her; looking up with his head and turning it around their surroundings. Where had they gone? He knew he didn't see them, and he imagined she'd at least say something about them if she say them. Subconsciously Declan lifted his head up, giving a few sniffs above as well. He could smell them... but he couldn't see them. Darn! That's what his parents would always say when they were upset. Darn.

At the affirmation of his previous statement he perked up, head snapping from sniffing the air. He was right! That truly made him happy. 'Smelling and never knowing when to lie'. He's got both of those down! Maybe. He sometimes lies. Like when he said she was ugly. She wasn't too ugly! Just a little bit. She's accepted it though, so it's okay. He's accepted he isn't too pretty either. He's just a pup though, so he hopes that will change in the future.

As the sun made it's movement within the sky he shivered slightly at the arriving chill. It wasn't too cold already, but Declan knew he came from a very hot place. Hot hot hot all around. Even the slightest coldness made him shiver greatly. His coat wasn't built for the cold, either way. That's what gave way to how slim he was. He hardly had any fluff to him. Times like these he wishes he had been born somewhere else.

"Yes ma'am!" He spewed his response quickly, immediately popping up like a jack in a box. Doing so as soon as she had stood on her paws. He stood up straight awaiting her movements, his paws plastered together below his chest in an odd stance. "Is rabbit good? After Dad was gone mum was only able to bring me smelly things!" Those smelly things had never tasted good. It always had bugs and flies mixed within, but he would take it over the times there was nothing that mother could bring for him. That's a firm memory. The food was bad. Very, very bad.

As she took her first step Declan was already at her heels, following like her reflection in water. A very different reflection, but it was obvious he was right there. He trotted carefully, his tail giving a few sways by his flanks, moving between each backside of his thighs. He seemed extremely happy, much more than he had appeared earlier. He was no longer 'miffed', but content.
the staff team luvs u