Post by Pavane on Jan 2, 2012 19:05:37 GMT -5
Ikuna - male adolescent wolf
Hadir - male wolf pup
Skahla - male wolf (Ute Alpha)
---Hilltop Vista---
Summertime. The days have gotten long and hot, and the wolves of Ute have been finding various ways to stay cool. Ikuna is just now returning from one of his favored techniques - swimming around in the creek. His fur is still wet, slicked down against his body. It means he's nice and cool, though it also means the mostly-healed injuries on his leg and shoulder from his and Tala's fight against a wolverine are more visible than usual as he trots up the hill at a leisurely pace.
Hadir can just go into the den when it gets to hot outside. At the present moment, however, he is sitting somewhere near the hole that leads down to the den. Its a nice enough day at the moment to just sit and relax, which is what he does most of the time. He blinks as he watches the rather damp Ikuna return from the creek. Good this will give him a chance to practice using his words. Ahiga was teaching him a few things the other day, "Ssss'up" he says. Trying to mimic how Ahiga did it as much as he can.
As his pups have continued to rapidly grow, Skahla has been no more a common sight around the den than he ever was before. After all, while he has made great strides in how he relates with the older youth of the pack, the whole thing is just awkward to the ever-so-slightly-odd and more-than-slightly-grumpy alpha. How wonderfully he is doing in attempting to... do all those things... he swore to his mother that he wanted to do, as alpha. At least when he is away from the den, though, he is not being grumpy to those who are near it. But that cannot last forever, and as he returns with a fat hare, his purpose here is obvious. To deliver food. Likely, he hope it finds its way to his mate's mouth, but if there are other hungry mouths about, he'll simply have to deal. As he trots toward the den, his head and tail are held high.
Ikuna tilts his head over at Hadir's attempted greeting, staring at him a moment before laughing. Puppies! They just copy... well, everything. "S'up, pup?" he asks back, making the rhyme be slightly sing-song. It's his basic plan for dealing with pups: pretend to be like Chewy. So far, it seems to be working. He lifts up his head at the alpha's approach, and offers a friendly wag and slight nod of his head. "Hello, Skahla."
Hadir is rather pleased with himself and puffs himself up as big as he can. Yep thats right. He is talking now. Well sorta anyway. He doesn't really understand what it all means yet, though he certainly gets some of it. He does know that what he says gets a reaction and that is the coolests part about the whole thing. He blinks when he spots his father. Its true he doesn't see him as often as he likes but he is always pleased when he does. For the moment Ikuna is ignored as he gets to his paws and scurries over toward where his dad is, "Da.." he states. Yep he knows his mother and his father for sure.
Skahla does not tense as he did in times past when he sees those who are milling around outside the den, but his tail does not wag, as much for the fact that he was trained when he was very young that wagging tails are irresitable lures for chomping teeth as for any other reason. He only speaks once he is closer, when he drops the hare to the ground, then moves a couple more steps forward to stand with it securely between his forelegs. "Ikuna." Then, he stretches his head out to greet his son with just a little more affection than he does his brother.
Ikuna smiles to his brother, though he respects Skahla's distance and doesn't approach closer. He stands quiet for a moment, watching father and son greet each other before saying anything further.
When his father's muzzle comes a bit closer her lifts up his paw and bats at it playfully. Yay for dads. Dads are cool. Moms and uncles are cool too, but dads are definitely especially cool, "Da." he says to him. His father is probably very smart for not wagging his tail, after all those first few teeth are coming in quite nicely and it probably would be rather unpleasant if Hadir had a chance to latch onto a tail.
"Uh-huh. Da. Hadir." Give the wolf some credit, he's trying! He may be no good at it, but he's trying. Given that most of what he remembers from his own youth and his own father was being terrified of the large male finding out he'd done anything wrong or had fought at all with his brother... but his pups haven't done anything to call for him being scaryDa. Not yet, anyway. After the greeting to his son, he turns his attention back to Ikuna. "And how are you?" It is a pointed question, and he gives an obvious look at the healing wounds, but he does not sound upset. Per se.
When Skahla turns his attention back to him, Ikuna gives a slight nod that's both acknowledgment and a duck of his head. "I'm fine," he answers, and then goes into more detail because there's an implied question there. "Tala and I ran into a wolverine near the borders. It attacked, but we drove it off. I haven't found any sign of it since."
Yep just cause your own parenting experience was a bit off doesn't mean you have to pass it along down the line. Its true though Hadir and crew haven't really doesn't anything bad yet. Hadir though has had his fair share of adventures. Some that Asku can relate and some that Ikuna could relate, but Hadir himself has largely forgot about these incidents. He settles himself down in front of his dad and is silent for the time being. Its just nice to have him around, since he doesn't get to see him as much as he gets to see his mother.
Though the hare was really meant for Shawnee, if Skahla had his way, since she is likely napping from the demands of caring for the pups and Hadir is out here, before responding to his brother, Skahla takes a small step back, then noses the carcass toward his son. No telling whether Hadir will be able to tear through the skin and flesh all by himself without it being torn into pieces for him, but at least it should keep the boy occupied. Right? Looking to Ikuna once more, he says, "In that case, it appears I owe you a thank you." Not really. Is that not every capable pack member's responsibility? Still, since Skahla /does/ feel some gratitude, he sees no problem in expressing it.
Ikuna was just doing what he could. Still, it's good to hear that he did more or less the right thing, according to his elder brother and alpha. "Just doing what I can," he says with a smile. After a moment, his gaze flicks down to Hadir briefly, and the smile turns to a frown. Skahla probably already knows about the pup's problems, right? He doesn't want to go around telling his brother something the other already knows, but... better make certain. "You know about... Hadir's fits, right? Is there anything we can do for him?"
Yep. The poor pup has fits. At the moment though there is nothing apparently wrong with him. He is just being a normal, average pup...well except for perhaps being on the slightly small size of where he should be, and the genuine lack of rambunciousness that his sisters posess but other that than pretty normal. When he sees his father move the thing along the ground he is drawn too it. Its true he doesn't really have the ability to tear through much of anything yet, but he has begun to eat some 'normal' food, even if its pretty small. He wanders over toward the hare and noses it.
Skahla keeps one eye on Hadir in response to Ikuna's question. Of course he knows. How could he not? And unfortunately, every animal instinct that he has in him... but that is not what Ute is. Ute is hope, and spirit, and given Skahla's pledge, he could never bring himself to kill or starve the boy. "I've... I've prayed on it, Ikuna." Genuinely, he has. Apparently, not all of that time off on his own is spent growling at his reflection or finding sticks to chew, now that he is an adult. "I just... you know, it there's an answer, I don't have it." So what can he do other than to continue to feed Hadir, and hope he is not making a mistake in going against his instincts in order to do so?
Ikuna sighs, and nods. So much for his hope that Skahla would have something to say, some idea what's going on and what can be done about it. "All right," he says, looking at Hadir as the pup noses at the prey, and then sighs again before shaking his head and lifting it. "We'll all help keep an eye on him. Maybe there'll be something." Or maybe there won't, and all the hope and prayer and effort in the world will only extend something that was doomed from the start. Some might call it a waste; those animal instincts would. But... this is Ute.
Hadir would be pleased to know that he isn't a cadidate for starving or slaughter, but thankfully the pup is unaware of these things. As far as he is concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, even if there well...is. He attempts a bite or two at the hare, but mostly this would just amount to chewing at it since when you only have a couple teeth there really isn't much that you can accomplish. After a few moments of attempting this he decides that it makes for a much better toy than it does a snack. He grabs the hare by the ears and tries to drag it back toward his father.
Skahla manages the slightest of open-mouthed smiles as he watches his son, but when he talks, he is still talking to his brother. "Then I owe you more thanks, brother. Really, thank you." After giving this, he finally looks away from his son in order to focus more on the older youth. "Now... about that mischief I told you and your friend to get yourselves into..." That's as much as he says, to start. Skahla, at times, seems much more aware of things than others might hope. Understandable, given how much time he spends around the pack's borders. If there is anything that has upset him since the last time he has spoken to Ikuna, it doesn't particularly show.
Ikuna simply nods to the gratitude, not that Skahla is looking his way to notice. He just tries to do what he thinks is right, that's all. He smiles a bit... and then his ears perk up at the mention of that mischief, lifting his eyes to Skahla's for a moment. Well, other than a few things too minor to even consider on, there's really only one thing that might qualify: that expedition to Cerulean. Come to think of it, Skahla's tendency to keep to the borders probably makes him quite well situated to have noticed the scent trail of the three leaving and then returning. Still, Skahla doesn't look upset, and he's not exactly asking for a status report, so... "What about it?"
Once the young pup has suceeded in dragging the carcass of the hair toward his father he sets it down there and blinks. Ok. Now what does one do with this new toy. He bats at it with his paw for a moment before looking up to his father, "Da?" he asks. He doesn't really have the vocabulary yet to ask a great deal of questions, although those days are coming and his father and the others had best be ready, cause he is going to have loads of them. For the moment though those one word questions can fit alot in.
Skahla looks down as his son requests his attention. Instead of continuing on with Ikuna, the alpha lowers his head to tear through the rabbit's fur and skin, and then to tear a small strip off for Hadir. Leaving it for the boy, he finally looks up to Ikuna again. "Next time, if you don't see fit to let someone know where you're going before you go... then at least let me know what happened when you get back." Skahla has taken to treating Ikuna as the ringleader of the group of adolescents, no matter how accurate the treatment may be, and he isn't looking to insult his brother. After all, they all left and returned in one piece, which would suggest they followed his warning to stay safe. No matter what, though, they are not adults, and they cannot compete with the sort of dangers that are out there. "Throw a rock at me if it's the only way you can get my attention, yeah?"
Ikuna stands steady for the rebuke - for it is one, even if it's a mild one. "We should have told someone; I'm sorry for that," he says, his words simple but honest. "It was my idea to go, and I didn't think." Whether he's the ringleader as a general rule or not, this time it's true, and never mind that the others didn't think of telling anyone either - or that, if they were here right now, they certainly wouldn't be letting Ikuna claim all the blame. "We just went to the borders of Cerulean, to visit with Anoki."
Hadir watches as his father tears a bit of the meat away for him. This eating thing is still a bit new to him but he has sort of got it down. It will only become easier when he has a few more teeth. Give it a few weeks and he will be able to tear his way through anything that they throw at him. He sniffs at the strip of meat and then begins to chew through it as best as he can. Isn't it great that the adults always know what you want them to do and you don't even have to ask more than a word. He keeps an ear on the conversation though, always a good way to learn a new word or two...
"I wasn't asking for an apology." No more than he would if Askuwheteau suddenly decided to leave for a few days. If Skahla noticed it, though, he would certainly want some explanation after, even from Asku. "I told you what I wanted, and that's good enough for me. You... Look, we might get all caught up in our own things-" The stars above only know Skahla is guilty of such a thing. "-but I'm trying to do right by the pack. I just need to be given a chance." Which means, apparently... having others throw rocks at him to get his attention.
Just because Skahla didn't ask for an apology doesn't mean Ikuna isn't going to give one, but it's not because he's trying to avert anger or anything, just because... well, that's what you do when you realize you did something you didn't intend. It doesn't even mean he won't go off without warning in the future, necessarily. Just that he thinks he /should/ tell someone. He tilts his head, listening to his elder brother, and considers on it for a moment before he nods. "We all try," he says. "That's... part of what makes us Ute, I think. Being in this pack is trying and not giving up... and having chances, for as long as you're trying."
Hadir finishes off the piece of hare that his father had torn off from him. This chewing thing is pretty new but kinda cool. He definitely likes having teeth. Teeth that he will be able to use on his father, mother, and other family members in time. He sits himself down by the hare and sighs contendedly. After all it doesn't get too much better than this. He has his dad here, his favorite uncle and food in his stomach. Yep life is pretty good, "S'up." he says to his father.
Unfortunately for the pup... this is about as much interaction as Skahla can take, all in one sitting. Having reached some understanding with Ikuna, Skahla offers his brother a slight smile, and asks, "Would you mind keeping an eye on Hadir, then?" no explanation. But he is seldom around for long, so chances are it was only to be expected.
Ikuna returns the smile, and nods. He's not surprised that Skahla's heading off again - that's just how his brother is. It's how these periodic conversations always seem to end, though with each one, it seems Skahla is treating him more and more like an adult and less like a puppy. Which is nice, because it matches his own sense of growing up, in a way that those wolves who see him all the time sometimes have a hard time doing. "I will," he says, and glances to the hare before he adds, "And I can bring some of that to Shawnee and the other pups, when they wake up."
Hadir will no doubt see his father again soon. Even if he has to throw a rock or two at him to make that happen. He glances first to his father and then to his uncle. He's good with Ikuna watching him. After all Ikuna is becoming something of a nanny. Oh well its all good training for when he is a father of his own some day. He watches his father head off to wherever he keeps himself. He would say bye but he really hasn't figured out the words for everything like that yet.
This time, Skahla actually moves to nuzzle against his brother, a more telling sign of gratitude than anything he has said, after Ikuna offers to take the meal to Skahla's mate and pups. Then, he does the same for his son, before turning to trot away from the den. That was good, right? No growling, no... others being afraid of him. And even with the uncomfortable topic that came up, the uncomfortable things he has to think about his son... well, still. It was good. He had a talk with his brother. And fed and nuzzled one of his children. It had to have been a good meeting, as these things go with Skahla.
Ikuna's tail wags softly at the nuzzle from Skahla, and he returns it. The young male watches for a few moments as his elder brother departs, then turns his attention back to Hadir. It was a good meeting. Skahla is a strange wolf, in some ways - but in others, he's one that Ikuna respects a great deal, and these conversations always leave him feeling like he understands the world and what's right a little better.
Hadir is just pleased to have seen his dad. He would like to see more of him, but that is something that is not up to him. He too returns the nuzzle his father gave him and watches him go, "Da!" he calls to him. It isn't really a call to come back or anything, more of a goodbye. After that he turns his gaze toward Ikuna and offers him a bark and a yip. Yep Ikuna is gonna be stuck watching him for the rest of his life. Or at least Hadir's life...either way.
Hadir - male wolf pup
Skahla - male wolf (Ute Alpha)
---Hilltop Vista---
Summertime. The days have gotten long and hot, and the wolves of Ute have been finding various ways to stay cool. Ikuna is just now returning from one of his favored techniques - swimming around in the creek. His fur is still wet, slicked down against his body. It means he's nice and cool, though it also means the mostly-healed injuries on his leg and shoulder from his and Tala's fight against a wolverine are more visible than usual as he trots up the hill at a leisurely pace.
Hadir can just go into the den when it gets to hot outside. At the present moment, however, he is sitting somewhere near the hole that leads down to the den. Its a nice enough day at the moment to just sit and relax, which is what he does most of the time. He blinks as he watches the rather damp Ikuna return from the creek. Good this will give him a chance to practice using his words. Ahiga was teaching him a few things the other day, "Ssss'up" he says. Trying to mimic how Ahiga did it as much as he can.
As his pups have continued to rapidly grow, Skahla has been no more a common sight around the den than he ever was before. After all, while he has made great strides in how he relates with the older youth of the pack, the whole thing is just awkward to the ever-so-slightly-odd and more-than-slightly-grumpy alpha. How wonderfully he is doing in attempting to... do all those things... he swore to his mother that he wanted to do, as alpha. At least when he is away from the den, though, he is not being grumpy to those who are near it. But that cannot last forever, and as he returns with a fat hare, his purpose here is obvious. To deliver food. Likely, he hope it finds its way to his mate's mouth, but if there are other hungry mouths about, he'll simply have to deal. As he trots toward the den, his head and tail are held high.
Ikuna tilts his head over at Hadir's attempted greeting, staring at him a moment before laughing. Puppies! They just copy... well, everything. "S'up, pup?" he asks back, making the rhyme be slightly sing-song. It's his basic plan for dealing with pups: pretend to be like Chewy. So far, it seems to be working. He lifts up his head at the alpha's approach, and offers a friendly wag and slight nod of his head. "Hello, Skahla."
Hadir is rather pleased with himself and puffs himself up as big as he can. Yep thats right. He is talking now. Well sorta anyway. He doesn't really understand what it all means yet, though he certainly gets some of it. He does know that what he says gets a reaction and that is the coolests part about the whole thing. He blinks when he spots his father. Its true he doesn't see him as often as he likes but he is always pleased when he does. For the moment Ikuna is ignored as he gets to his paws and scurries over toward where his dad is, "Da.." he states. Yep he knows his mother and his father for sure.
Skahla does not tense as he did in times past when he sees those who are milling around outside the den, but his tail does not wag, as much for the fact that he was trained when he was very young that wagging tails are irresitable lures for chomping teeth as for any other reason. He only speaks once he is closer, when he drops the hare to the ground, then moves a couple more steps forward to stand with it securely between his forelegs. "Ikuna." Then, he stretches his head out to greet his son with just a little more affection than he does his brother.
Ikuna smiles to his brother, though he respects Skahla's distance and doesn't approach closer. He stands quiet for a moment, watching father and son greet each other before saying anything further.
When his father's muzzle comes a bit closer her lifts up his paw and bats at it playfully. Yay for dads. Dads are cool. Moms and uncles are cool too, but dads are definitely especially cool, "Da." he says to him. His father is probably very smart for not wagging his tail, after all those first few teeth are coming in quite nicely and it probably would be rather unpleasant if Hadir had a chance to latch onto a tail.
"Uh-huh. Da. Hadir." Give the wolf some credit, he's trying! He may be no good at it, but he's trying. Given that most of what he remembers from his own youth and his own father was being terrified of the large male finding out he'd done anything wrong or had fought at all with his brother... but his pups haven't done anything to call for him being scaryDa. Not yet, anyway. After the greeting to his son, he turns his attention back to Ikuna. "And how are you?" It is a pointed question, and he gives an obvious look at the healing wounds, but he does not sound upset. Per se.
When Skahla turns his attention back to him, Ikuna gives a slight nod that's both acknowledgment and a duck of his head. "I'm fine," he answers, and then goes into more detail because there's an implied question there. "Tala and I ran into a wolverine near the borders. It attacked, but we drove it off. I haven't found any sign of it since."
Yep just cause your own parenting experience was a bit off doesn't mean you have to pass it along down the line. Its true though Hadir and crew haven't really doesn't anything bad yet. Hadir though has had his fair share of adventures. Some that Asku can relate and some that Ikuna could relate, but Hadir himself has largely forgot about these incidents. He settles himself down in front of his dad and is silent for the time being. Its just nice to have him around, since he doesn't get to see him as much as he gets to see his mother.
Though the hare was really meant for Shawnee, if Skahla had his way, since she is likely napping from the demands of caring for the pups and Hadir is out here, before responding to his brother, Skahla takes a small step back, then noses the carcass toward his son. No telling whether Hadir will be able to tear through the skin and flesh all by himself without it being torn into pieces for him, but at least it should keep the boy occupied. Right? Looking to Ikuna once more, he says, "In that case, it appears I owe you a thank you." Not really. Is that not every capable pack member's responsibility? Still, since Skahla /does/ feel some gratitude, he sees no problem in expressing it.
Ikuna was just doing what he could. Still, it's good to hear that he did more or less the right thing, according to his elder brother and alpha. "Just doing what I can," he says with a smile. After a moment, his gaze flicks down to Hadir briefly, and the smile turns to a frown. Skahla probably already knows about the pup's problems, right? He doesn't want to go around telling his brother something the other already knows, but... better make certain. "You know about... Hadir's fits, right? Is there anything we can do for him?"
Yep. The poor pup has fits. At the moment though there is nothing apparently wrong with him. He is just being a normal, average pup...well except for perhaps being on the slightly small size of where he should be, and the genuine lack of rambunciousness that his sisters posess but other that than pretty normal. When he sees his father move the thing along the ground he is drawn too it. Its true he doesn't really have the ability to tear through much of anything yet, but he has begun to eat some 'normal' food, even if its pretty small. He wanders over toward the hare and noses it.
Skahla keeps one eye on Hadir in response to Ikuna's question. Of course he knows. How could he not? And unfortunately, every animal instinct that he has in him... but that is not what Ute is. Ute is hope, and spirit, and given Skahla's pledge, he could never bring himself to kill or starve the boy. "I've... I've prayed on it, Ikuna." Genuinely, he has. Apparently, not all of that time off on his own is spent growling at his reflection or finding sticks to chew, now that he is an adult. "I just... you know, it there's an answer, I don't have it." So what can he do other than to continue to feed Hadir, and hope he is not making a mistake in going against his instincts in order to do so?
Ikuna sighs, and nods. So much for his hope that Skahla would have something to say, some idea what's going on and what can be done about it. "All right," he says, looking at Hadir as the pup noses at the prey, and then sighs again before shaking his head and lifting it. "We'll all help keep an eye on him. Maybe there'll be something." Or maybe there won't, and all the hope and prayer and effort in the world will only extend something that was doomed from the start. Some might call it a waste; those animal instincts would. But... this is Ute.
Hadir would be pleased to know that he isn't a cadidate for starving or slaughter, but thankfully the pup is unaware of these things. As far as he is concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong with him, even if there well...is. He attempts a bite or two at the hare, but mostly this would just amount to chewing at it since when you only have a couple teeth there really isn't much that you can accomplish. After a few moments of attempting this he decides that it makes for a much better toy than it does a snack. He grabs the hare by the ears and tries to drag it back toward his father.
Skahla manages the slightest of open-mouthed smiles as he watches his son, but when he talks, he is still talking to his brother. "Then I owe you more thanks, brother. Really, thank you." After giving this, he finally looks away from his son in order to focus more on the older youth. "Now... about that mischief I told you and your friend to get yourselves into..." That's as much as he says, to start. Skahla, at times, seems much more aware of things than others might hope. Understandable, given how much time he spends around the pack's borders. If there is anything that has upset him since the last time he has spoken to Ikuna, it doesn't particularly show.
Ikuna simply nods to the gratitude, not that Skahla is looking his way to notice. He just tries to do what he thinks is right, that's all. He smiles a bit... and then his ears perk up at the mention of that mischief, lifting his eyes to Skahla's for a moment. Well, other than a few things too minor to even consider on, there's really only one thing that might qualify: that expedition to Cerulean. Come to think of it, Skahla's tendency to keep to the borders probably makes him quite well situated to have noticed the scent trail of the three leaving and then returning. Still, Skahla doesn't look upset, and he's not exactly asking for a status report, so... "What about it?"
Once the young pup has suceeded in dragging the carcass of the hair toward his father he sets it down there and blinks. Ok. Now what does one do with this new toy. He bats at it with his paw for a moment before looking up to his father, "Da?" he asks. He doesn't really have the vocabulary yet to ask a great deal of questions, although those days are coming and his father and the others had best be ready, cause he is going to have loads of them. For the moment though those one word questions can fit alot in.
Skahla looks down as his son requests his attention. Instead of continuing on with Ikuna, the alpha lowers his head to tear through the rabbit's fur and skin, and then to tear a small strip off for Hadir. Leaving it for the boy, he finally looks up to Ikuna again. "Next time, if you don't see fit to let someone know where you're going before you go... then at least let me know what happened when you get back." Skahla has taken to treating Ikuna as the ringleader of the group of adolescents, no matter how accurate the treatment may be, and he isn't looking to insult his brother. After all, they all left and returned in one piece, which would suggest they followed his warning to stay safe. No matter what, though, they are not adults, and they cannot compete with the sort of dangers that are out there. "Throw a rock at me if it's the only way you can get my attention, yeah?"
Ikuna stands steady for the rebuke - for it is one, even if it's a mild one. "We should have told someone; I'm sorry for that," he says, his words simple but honest. "It was my idea to go, and I didn't think." Whether he's the ringleader as a general rule or not, this time it's true, and never mind that the others didn't think of telling anyone either - or that, if they were here right now, they certainly wouldn't be letting Ikuna claim all the blame. "We just went to the borders of Cerulean, to visit with Anoki."
Hadir watches as his father tears a bit of the meat away for him. This eating thing is still a bit new to him but he has sort of got it down. It will only become easier when he has a few more teeth. Give it a few weeks and he will be able to tear his way through anything that they throw at him. He sniffs at the strip of meat and then begins to chew through it as best as he can. Isn't it great that the adults always know what you want them to do and you don't even have to ask more than a word. He keeps an ear on the conversation though, always a good way to learn a new word or two...
"I wasn't asking for an apology." No more than he would if Askuwheteau suddenly decided to leave for a few days. If Skahla noticed it, though, he would certainly want some explanation after, even from Asku. "I told you what I wanted, and that's good enough for me. You... Look, we might get all caught up in our own things-" The stars above only know Skahla is guilty of such a thing. "-but I'm trying to do right by the pack. I just need to be given a chance." Which means, apparently... having others throw rocks at him to get his attention.
Just because Skahla didn't ask for an apology doesn't mean Ikuna isn't going to give one, but it's not because he's trying to avert anger or anything, just because... well, that's what you do when you realize you did something you didn't intend. It doesn't even mean he won't go off without warning in the future, necessarily. Just that he thinks he /should/ tell someone. He tilts his head, listening to his elder brother, and considers on it for a moment before he nods. "We all try," he says. "That's... part of what makes us Ute, I think. Being in this pack is trying and not giving up... and having chances, for as long as you're trying."
Hadir finishes off the piece of hare that his father had torn off from him. This chewing thing is pretty new but kinda cool. He definitely likes having teeth. Teeth that he will be able to use on his father, mother, and other family members in time. He sits himself down by the hare and sighs contendedly. After all it doesn't get too much better than this. He has his dad here, his favorite uncle and food in his stomach. Yep life is pretty good, "S'up." he says to his father.
Unfortunately for the pup... this is about as much interaction as Skahla can take, all in one sitting. Having reached some understanding with Ikuna, Skahla offers his brother a slight smile, and asks, "Would you mind keeping an eye on Hadir, then?" no explanation. But he is seldom around for long, so chances are it was only to be expected.
Ikuna returns the smile, and nods. He's not surprised that Skahla's heading off again - that's just how his brother is. It's how these periodic conversations always seem to end, though with each one, it seems Skahla is treating him more and more like an adult and less like a puppy. Which is nice, because it matches his own sense of growing up, in a way that those wolves who see him all the time sometimes have a hard time doing. "I will," he says, and glances to the hare before he adds, "And I can bring some of that to Shawnee and the other pups, when they wake up."
Hadir will no doubt see his father again soon. Even if he has to throw a rock or two at him to make that happen. He glances first to his father and then to his uncle. He's good with Ikuna watching him. After all Ikuna is becoming something of a nanny. Oh well its all good training for when he is a father of his own some day. He watches his father head off to wherever he keeps himself. He would say bye but he really hasn't figured out the words for everything like that yet.
This time, Skahla actually moves to nuzzle against his brother, a more telling sign of gratitude than anything he has said, after Ikuna offers to take the meal to Skahla's mate and pups. Then, he does the same for his son, before turning to trot away from the den. That was good, right? No growling, no... others being afraid of him. And even with the uncomfortable topic that came up, the uncomfortable things he has to think about his son... well, still. It was good. He had a talk with his brother. And fed and nuzzled one of his children. It had to have been a good meeting, as these things go with Skahla.
Ikuna's tail wags softly at the nuzzle from Skahla, and he returns it. The young male watches for a few moments as his elder brother departs, then turns his attention back to Hadir. It was a good meeting. Skahla is a strange wolf, in some ways - but in others, he's one that Ikuna respects a great deal, and these conversations always leave him feeling like he understands the world and what's right a little better.
Hadir is just pleased to have seen his dad. He would like to see more of him, but that is something that is not up to him. He too returns the nuzzle his father gave him and watches him go, "Da!" he calls to him. It isn't really a call to come back or anything, more of a goodbye. After that he turns his gaze toward Ikuna and offers him a bark and a yip. Yep Ikuna is gonna be stuck watching him for the rest of his life. Or at least Hadir's life...either way.