Roleplay- 4th of January

Comet glances at the pups curiously... He's still a little nervous around them really... He isn't quite so comfortable in this group but he'll get there eventually.

Ninja looks at his son, Ponda, frowning sympathetically. He may be recovering nicely but Iblis' merciless attack left him permanently brain damaged. Because of her, his life is changed forever, and he may be left psychologically scarred for life. His muscles suddenly become tense with rage. Just saying or hearing her name ignites anger inside of him. If he ever sees her again, he's afraid he may do something unthinkable, kill her.

Ninji casts a sympathetic expression at Ponda as she watched him stagger over to the congregated meerkats. Poor Ponda. Learning of him being ruthlessly maimed by his own mother, Iblis, is still vivid in her young mind. Because of her heartless crime, he has a permanent injury, one of which that will leave him with an uncertain future. Curse that Iblis! She hates her for attacking her half brother and nearly killing him. She'll avenge him if she meets that cruel adult.

Mischka isn't paying attention to what's going with the group and is still staring at the horizon, thinking about his beloved Carnation.

Linda looks at Ponda as well, worried that permanent damage may have been sustained. She's come to treat Ponda as one of her own, mainly since her mate and father of her pups is also father of Ponda, and that Ponda's genetic mother betrayed him.

Tyson continues to feed from his mother, his face buried in the fur on her belly.

Duke also takes a moment to look at Ponda, concerned about his health as well. If Iblis dares to return, she will be torn to shreds.

Aliya also looks at Ponda with sympathy. What Iblis did to her own son was unforgivable. She refuse to allow that female near Ponda, or accept her back in the mob. Anyone who dared harm any pup in this mob was kicked out faster than they could blink. However, she's thankful for everyone taking care of him, especially Phoebe. She seemed to taken the role of being his guardian. Such a brave and sweet little girl. She was certainly Linda and Ninja's daughter all right.

Phoebe followed Ponda, ready to help him. Despite being a bit younger than him, it didn't shy her away. She was determined to help Ponda, no matter what. She'll even risk her life for him if Iblis dared make a return. She doesn't deserve mercy for what she did to her half brother! She'll rip that adult female apart for what she's done.

Suddenly, Ninji's attention is diverted from her half brother when she hears her stomach emit a long growl. Still hungry, she resumes feeding from her mother.

Ninja pads over to Ponda, offering him a bit of comfort grooming. The poor little boy must still be reeling from the experience of being betrayed and nearly killed by his blood mother. Seeing his daughter Phoebe out of the corner of his eye, Ninja looks over at her, casting a proud smile at his compassionate little girl. He's noticed she's been diligently taking care of him and acting as his body gaurd. She is such a sweet heart. It's certain she has Linda's compassion, his determination and both of their bravery.

Ouija emerged from the burrow's yawning mouth, shaking both loose fur and sleep from himself; his back concaved in a long stretch, then he sat down on the talus of sand that had collected at the den's entrance, glancing about. He was still a rather quiet character, but through the duration of the past few days with the mob, Ouija was growing more comfortable.

Saffron walks over to Ouija and lays down

Conker Sits down

Dellie doesn't feed from her mother like the rest of the pups. With the air that is in the group, she can tell something big will happen, and she knows it's got to do with her and her siblings. Her stomach hasn't groaned, and she wants to try new food! Dellie's very demanding about it. She's convinced she'll get even more energy.

Ouija glances over to Saffron, chirping a genial "good morning". He began to groom his mobmate affectionately.

As the growling in her stomach dissipates, Ninji ceases feeding from her mother, resuming to what she was doing before, admiring the beautiful wildlife of this vast, gorgious Kalahari Desert. She, too, notices the excitement among the adults. Instinctively, she knows the biggest day of her and her siblings little lives is almost upon them. Could today be that day? Having learned the daily routine of the adults, emerging, sunbathing, grooming, then the most exciting one, setting off into the vast expanse of the Kalahari to forage, she knows, eventually, she and her siblings will get a taste of what it's like away from the burrow. This certain event has her stoked. She can't wait to leave the boring confinement of the burrow and explore the Kalahari! Guessing today is that day from the behavior of the adults, excitement begins building him up in her tiny form.

Ninja looks off into the distance, on edge. The most precarious day for his and Linda's pups' has finally arrived. Today, they'll be leaving the burrow for the very first time to forage with the adults. Given the near death experiences his pups have already encountered, he's extremely nervous. He's already lost 2 pups, and they haven't even left the burrow yet! He's determined to do what ever he can to prevent losing more of his precious offspring. He'll ensure his pups will have a safe day of foraging today.

Not wanting to stick around to witness Ninja and Linda's pups take on their biggest challenge yet, Mischka sets off toward the Oreos, eager to see his beloved lady.

Tyson stops feeding as well, having had enough milk. He looks at the adults, curiously.

Linda stands back up and takes a good look around. It just feels right for her, like some telepathic signal. Today, she thinks, their pups are ready to go foraging with them.

Phoebe notices her father casting her a proud smile. She knew it was because of the dedication she had been giving Ponda and ensuring he was safe. She smiles back at Ninja, before she tried to groom Ponda. She wasn't too successful, as she was still young. She frowned and ceased her grooming attempt. Something told her, today, her and her siblings will be doing something important today. However, as long as she could be with Ponda, she didn't care what she'd be facing.

Ponda also tries grooming Pheobe, a little better, but kinda hard, not on purpose, just another result of the attack...

Fly feels it too, and is ready to mentor the pups today... (I think there was a plan for her to do that?)

ooc- I don't recall any plan like that, but she can surely do that.

ic- Tyson watches Ponda curiously.

Linda waits for Aliya to make the call to go forage.

Ninja also awaits Aliya's lead calls, his heart pounding against his chest. He instinctively knows his pups are now old and strong enough to leave the burrow. Today is bound to be a precarious one.

Ninji looks at the adults, eager to know if she and her littermates will be granted permission to leave the burrow with them. She wants to ditch this boring burrow and explore what lies beyond its grounds!

Saffron Yawns shes hungry

John emerges slowly, alongside his lady. He knew today was the day Linda and Ninja's pups would be joining them in the forging party today. He'll ensure those four stay safe.

Petal emerges not long after John, shaking herself.

Root emerges a bit later, yawning and exposing his K9s.

Aliya makes a count and seeing almost everyone out, she nods to herself and issues lead calls. Knowing today was the day that Tyson, Ninji, Dellie and Phoebe are also joining for the first time, she walks off and remains on high alert. Those four would have to be kept an eye on. She didn't want them to get hurt or worse, killed.

Phoebe stays still and lets Ponda groom her. She doesn't mind its a little rough. Both were still young, but one day, they'll master grooming. She hears Aliya and looks over. This was it... she and her siblings were going to join not only their parents, but also most of the mob, in forging. She looks at Ponda and peeps. They should get going before they got left behind. But she'll ensure he'll be safe. If Iblis does make a reappearance, she won't hesitate to attack. Despite the fact she could easily be killed by the evil adult.

Ninji is super excited when she and her siblings are granted permission to join the adults in the foraging party for the first time. Finally! The most awesome day of their lives has arrived! Her heart pounding against her chest from exhilaration, she bravely darts after the departing adults. After bounding a few yards, she halts, waiting for her siblings to follow.

As he heard Aliya's lead calls, Ninja's heart rate elevates slightly, pounding against his chest more rapidly than before. Ooog, here we go. He'll make sure they don't leave his supervision for a mere minute and that they stay safe during their first foraging experience. If they happen to encounter danger, he'll defend them to the death. He's already lost 2 children. He certainly won't stand for losing another.

Linda hears the calls and chirps to the pups. Time to go. She doesn't expect them to walk to full distance, and will gladly carry one of them in her mouth if need me.

Tyson excitedly follows his parents.

Duke walks next to Aliya.

Ponda follows close near Pheobe, still walking steadily, but tries his best.

Comet follows, falling behind once again.

Fly follows quickly near Linda's pups...

Tyson keeps runny, eager to know where they're going, but it's not long before he starts to whine about the long trek.

Linda picks Tyson up by the scruff of the neck and carries him. She's extra alert, knowing this is the most dangerous thing they've done in their short lives so far.

Ninji manages to keep pace for several yards with the adults. Eventually, she grows tired of walking and begins straggling, panting heavily. Her patience is rapidly wearing thin. Where are they going? How long will it take for them to get there? She hopes not long because she doubts she can last trekking several more feet. She's exhausted and wants someone to carry her the rest of the way.

Ninja notices his daughter struggling to keep up with the foraging party. Immediately, he goes to retrieve her, gently picking her up by the scruff, then returning to trotting in the midst of the mob, gingerly carrying his daughter. Like his mate, he's on a heightened state of alert. He has a feeling he and Linda are bound to have a few heart attacks over their overly inquisitive kids.

Conker and Saffron Follow