“Ya ready big brotha?”

The sun gleamed though a cloudless day or cycle as they called it, into a clearing where a brown bear sized dog like creature of whose fluff exceeded the expectations of sheep and eyes that lay beneath a layer of said fur stood at the ready. This creature seemed to grin in anticipation of her opponent that stood before her as her large rounded ears and tail geared up towards the sky.

“Ah’m always ready fa any attack, especially dat one.”

Her opponent appeared diminutive compared to her hulking size, but he stood ready to do battle with determination lighting his eyes with his right side holding a black spot over it. His frame brown in color held cat-like low to the ground and ears pointed but slightly rounded lay flat atop his head. His naturally curly black faux mohawk fur on his head and the tuft of fur at the end of his tail fluffed up in the anticipation of the battle.

The other was still grinning and declared, “Is dat so?”

She launches herself swiftly into the air towards her waiting adversary with teeth bared and tongue lolling out to one side. He looks up and moves backwards to evade her semi-aerial attack. She lands with some grace and he then takes his chance to dives in for a full frontal attack. He thought he could get her before she got her balance back, but he thought wrong as she barely manages to sidestep his attack with a playful smile on her face.

He barely made it to the ground when she swiveled for the meat of her long black and brown tail to hit him head on with enough power for him to be flipped backwards into the air. He righted himself enough to skid into a landing. As she was about to turn back around to face him he thought fast and hastily decided to do a faint. He initiated a full run-a-round his opponent as quick as he could.

The over fluffed creature stood forward facing once again as a frown graces her face. A few careful steps were taken ahead. She felt the air shifting slightly around her and at that point she had not realized that she had let her guard down just enough for him. Her large left ear twitches in the sudden change then right then and there realization literally rammed into her left side. The blow had enough strength to force her back a considerable amount.

They separated from the impact and he landed with a triumphant grin on his face, but it will be short lived. She slides into her landing and manages to kick up a dust cloud to surround her. A loose rock comes into contact in her attempt to stop as she barely succeeds in using the slide to pivot and she then swipes her tail at the loose medium sized rock to have it cut through the dusty air that surrounded her.

The rock splits the brown air with a strong intent to hit him square in the head, but he was not having that. He jumped to the right out of the way of the impending rock. It then dropped loosely behind with a clunk. He eyed his surroundings particularly the lingering dust cloud that his little sister may still be hidden in. All of a sudden a feeling of dread ruffled at his fur and sent his ears reeling back in anticipation as a shadow suddenly overcast him. His eyes widen as he tries to make a move to dodge whatever his sister had in store, but it was too late as the shadow become larger and so was his chance to not escape.

She happily plopped right on top of her older brother and he struggled for all that was worth with only his muzzle showing under all that fluff. He struggled and struggled, but he knew that until he stopped she was not going to let him up at all. He abruptly stops and lays boneless underneath her heavy frame thus sighing in defeat from his little sister.

“Ya realize that if ah coulda used meh runes ya woulda lost…”

She giggles in a sing-song way in response, “Well ya didn’t; did ya, Aleaza?

She stops her giggling in turn for a more serious face.

“And besides big brotha; dad wants ya ta get betta at paw to paw fightin’.”

Aleaza’s lips make a thin line and almost yell at her.

“Would ya get offa me first, Prithivi!”

As quick as she can rolls off of her smaller older brother and sits up as her brother does the same, but more exasperated.

“Ah know what dad said.”

Prithivi turns her head slightly making a face in the process.

“Please dun be dat way wit me. Ya know betta than anyone that dad can be meaner than a dartmaw at times when we don’t do what he says.”

He rolls his eyes to the sky thinking about it.

“Ah know-” Aleaza realized something off handedly eyebrows raised.

“Hey dun you an’ Acira hava mission assignin’ ta go ta taday?”

He looks to his side to find that his sister gone with a light dust floating in her place instead and he thinks.

“…She completely forgot.”

A breeze blows lightly making the crystal clear shoreline ripple in its wake that stood within a small cove by one of the many rivers leading to the seas that lay by an entrance into a mountain side.

There just a hair way from the bright sun hitting the entrance a pair of translucent blonde eyebrows lay almost in a straight line on Acira’s face as irritation began to set into her long pure white body. Her butt firmly planted to the warm entrance floor of the cave in the small cove from her earlier efforts to leave her parents’ home. The tip her tail trapped in between her mother’s teeth that bit down not too long ago in warning if she did not stop. Acira knew what her mother was trying to do, but decided to play along.

“Mother. Let go.” Exasperation escaped into the words sounding as prim and proper like they always wanted her to be.

To Acira’s surprise her mother actually let’s go of her instead of dragging her back like she usually did. She circled around to come face to face with her with her head held like a wannabe princess and sits down promptly being a half a head taller then her daughter with silvery grey fur and ocean blue eyes.

“Why are you doing this again for, Mother?”

“Why, Acira?” It sounded like a question, but Acira knew that it really wasn’t and just had to use her baby voice for the part.

“I just don’t want my only pup going out there with a filthy mix bre-“

“MOTHER!” Acira leaning forward suddenly invades her mother’s space.

“I beg your pardon?” She leaned backwards from her with a frown.

Acira was not letting up on volume, but leaned away from her.

“I am getting tired of you calling my closest friend that!”

“But I was merely suggest-“ She moved back into her original position then turning her head in slight annoyance to the side as she put a paw to her heart.

Acira’s red eyes narrowed and small ears lowered in rising anger towards her mother.

“Then I suggest you BITE. YOUR. TONGUE!”

“Watch your language!” She snapped her back towards her with her ears low and eyes wide.

“I am leaving!”

“You shall not leave with that kind of attitude!” She matched her volume as she attempts to stop by grabbing her daughter's tail, but fails as she manages to slip by running and jumping into the river before her mother could do anything else. Then the mother's mate walks in from a hole deep inside the cave that leads to many other areas.

“Ankita? What is all the yell-“

Ankita whips her head angrily at her mate.

“We have the most UNGRATEFUL daughter, Arya! Does she not UNDERSTAND that hanging around these-these fluffians are ruining her credibility for US and her having a respectable pure breed mate?!”

During her rant she was pacing back and forth just inside the entrance to the cove with angry flaring in her eyes. Arya, whose fur a reddish brown with only his tail and paws were a pale white, just shakes his head.

“Hmph!” Ankita stood in the sunlight of their cove with narrowed hazel eyes, “She will learn one way or the other.”

While her mother ranted Acira swam in through the river passing and catching a few of the small, but colorful Aulae and thought to herself with some agitation.

‘Vee you better be at our meeting spot ready to leave or so help me you will get an ear full.’

In the bright lush forest Prithivi sneezed while she running right through it. She jumps over a log and says with a slight grimace.

“Ah hope that wasn’t Acira talkin’ bout me…”

Prithivi then jumps into a tunnel leading to their favorite spot to meet up.

On their way, on top of a small grassy hill with stone steps built into it stood close to the main village, Amrita stands a rather large hut made of trees, leaves and other decorative parts. The inside was decorated just as nicely with small unlit torches on the walls and open holes where the sun beams through.

The grand elder, a old Firere female by the name Shashi with blue-black fur swirled with white and has the tolerance of a saint except for when it comes to lateness. Her day was fine until she realized who was supposed to be coming. She sighs sitting on the furs she had gotten in her golden years. She puts a paw on her nose and begins to rub it in slight annoyance. She knew deep down they won't make it on time and getting angry at them won't do much good. She moved up to where all the grievances as well as the things to do and began to sort though them.

"I can tell that the cycle will be long after they arrive..." She closes her eyes in exasperation of the coming cycle.

An elder Windre male, black with white stripes on his back and an 'x' shaped scar right on top his left eye, walks into the hut with what seems like a thoughtful expression and then he speaks within a reasonable distance between the both of them. The adviser speaks thus bringing the grand elder out of her more recent thoughts.

"Grand elder?" He bows a little and the Firere bows right back.

"Yes, what is it Ekaksh?"

"Have you looked over the agenda for the Earthre Harvest Tradition?"

She nods solemnly.

"I have and I approve of the things that they would like to do." Worry is written all over her face and the Windre takes notice.

"You shouldn't worry yourself about him."

She eyes him half-hardheartedly. "You make it sound easy, old friend."

He smiles. "Perhaps I do. But in any case, you will be sending them correct?"

She sighs then. "Only if they get here. Hmph. You know how those two are."

"Of course" The old Windre nods and continues, "I will tell the Earthres of your approval." He bows then turns to make his leave.

"Oh, I wish you luck as well" Then he leaves down the steps that led up to the grand elder.

He was halfway down as two shadows rushed passed him and all he could think to do at that moment was chuckle.

The duo rushed by the elder up the stoney stairs. They make it to the entrance of the hut slightly out of breath.

"We're here, Grand Elder!" Acira is the first to speak up.

"So you are."  With what seems like little interest at all given to them.

Prithivi was about to say something, but Shashi beat her to the punch.

"I have an escort mission for the both of you." The Elder's face was serious on the matter.

2: Forest

She knew that she had no choice but to put those two on this particular mission. Strength and plenty of charm is needed for this.

"Ah hope it ain't another one of those-" Acira smacks Prithivi up side the head with her tail. Prithivi slides down to the fur covered ground in a huff.

"It is not what you think Prithivi. You will be escorting one of our own out of Dlopua, a male Earthre and Windre mix breed. For some unknown reason his family decided to move into Dlopua and from what our scouts tried to gather is that his parents are dead and the home lies in the heart of the forest. I have enlisted the both of you for these reasons."

Prithivi moves her head upward in acknowledgment and to say that she is paying attention. "Prithivi, your knowledge of Dlopua taken from personal experience and knowledge from your father is important for the success of the mission as well as your fighting prowess."

"Acira." Acira sits up straighter at the mention, "your level of charm will come in handy to getting him to join your ranks willingly instead of by force, but use it as a last resort. We want him safe and sound."

Prithivi sits up with a questioning expression on her face.

"Why are we doin' this mission, aside from tha obvious, jus cycles before the Tradition?"

Acira wanted to smack her again for not knowing about the reason, but curiosity got the best of her as to why the Grand Elder would pick him.

"You both should know that I must appoint an elder in training before the Tradition-"

"-and you chose to take in this orphan as your trainee." interrupted Acira in a matter of fact way.

The Firere elder almost grinned. "Yes, that's right. I have chosen him partly for his safety and wanting to put a different face as Grand Elder. Anyways, this mission should be a fairly easy task for the both of you."

"That depends on ya understandin' of easy." Prithivi muttered under her breath as she nods in understanding and then in her normal voice, "When do have ta go?"

"As soon as the both of you are able."

"Soooo we should be heading out before the cycle ends?" The Grand Elder nods in response to Prithivi's question.

The two friends then bow their heads and said "As you wish, Grand Elder."

They both left with a lot to do before heading into Dlopua.
They get to the bottom of the seemingly makeshift stone stairs. Acira nudges Prithivi with her left paw.

"What do we need oh great expert?"

Prithivi pondered for a moment as they continued to walk to the main village.

"We really dun need anythin'. Its best ta travel as light as possible. Jus so ya know I ain't hauling ya fat butt."

Acira's cheeks puffed up at Prithivi’s silliness in embarrassment and slight anger at the mention of her hindquarters.

"It’s not like you are one to talk Vee!"

"All fur baby." A smile spread widely across Prithivi's face as she wiggled her butt and lightly bumps into Acira.

Acira couldn't for the life of her stay mad and smiled right along with her. They get to the marketplace in the center of Amrita that is bustling with life from the purest breed to the truly mixed of breeds trading all kinds of colorful odd smelling goods and food.

"You still haven't really answered me, Vee."

"We only need maybe a few runes."

"Are you sure?" Acira stood skeptical, "Is it really that dangerous to take so few with us?"

"Yes an' no. If ya have too much ya become easy pickings. If ya have nothing ya become easy pickings," Prithivi couldn't hold the chuckle in, "Especially in da heart of Dlopua. There are plenty of creatures dat could eat us without a second thought if ya ain't aware." Prithivi nose picked up on her favorite merchant's vegetable wares and followed it there.

“Hello Prithivi!” The brown Windre’s long ears perked up off the ground when she saw her favorite customer walk up. Prithivi only nods with a smile of her own.

"And you have seen these creatures?" All of a sudden she was little afraid to go on this mission.

"Ah've seen a few, but my dad has seen 'em all." Prithivi sniffed the fine selection that the dark brown Windre had. The bunch of twenty small dark purple Litulrs that are smooth to the touch, but the insides soft and chewy sat at the fore front of the stall’s table as the sweet fruity smell was calling to the large mix breed.

"Besides dad made me remember all da routes, that had tha least encounters, ta gettin' round Dlopua especially to the heart and we got each other ya know."

Prithivi stood there thinking about getting the bunch, but the fresh crisp aroma of the massive heads of leafy red Nichas started to get to her as well and all the while Acira released a breath she didn't know she was holding. The brown Windre eyed Prithivi in hopes of her buying her wares even when she knew Prithivi would before the cycle was over.

"So the only thing to worry about at the moment is what runes to use."

"Yes!" Prithivi said in excitement to both Acira, whose ears flatten, and the Windre, who just smiles, as Prithivi shakes her body to release a tiny silver trinket to exchange for the sweet Litulr as a snack. Prithivi said her thanks to the brown Windre named Gita and happily ate the fruit right off her stall. Gita couldn’t hold in the giggles at that point.

After being in the village a while longer Acira continued to follow Prithivi towards her parents' cave. The trip was not meant for a Watere to take since her parents live off an unbeaten path in the quiet forest of Kotuia, but good for her to have a friend like Prithivi to carry her for a little bit. During the piggyback ride, Acira's mind began to wonder just a little about the task that was laid before them and couldn't help but ask.

"Why are you not worried?"

Prithivi smiled gently and sadly.

"Like my dad always says: Worryin' makes ya an easy target."

At that she decided to let it go realizing that she just grazed a sore subject and deep down she knew that Prithivi would never willingly put her in danger, so she didn’t understand why she was worrying in the first place. Soon they make it with the sun still bright and high in the sky with a few Windres flying all over the place.

"Ah'm gonna make sure wit my dad about what runes ta use before we head out, alright?"
Prithivi stops in front of the opening with her head turned in Acira’s general direction as she softly gets off of her back.

"Of course Vee."

Prithivi walks into the nicely lit cave covered in furs from her parents' many outings. Her father, Biren, whose fur was fluffy, but scraggly and dark like the sky after their sun hides in the mountains, lay in the middle of the cave where most of the furs were. She approached him and sat right in front of him. Prithivi knew that he wasn't really asleep.

"Da-" A black paw shot towards her face stopping just barely touching her nose with claws ready to slice open her face at any given moment, but she didn't flinch at the rush of air. Biren lies back down and turns away from Prithivi.

"What do ya need runt." His voice slow and gruff held no question in it.

"Acira an' me have a mission to the heart of Dlopua an' ah come askin' what runes are needed for dat route."

He lies still for a minute before giving his daughter an answer.

Outside the cave Acira waits by the entrance with her tail curled around her feet and a bored expression. Her boredom didn't last long when Aleazea shows up on the trail. He called out to her.

"Acira? Where is meh sis?"

Acira turns her to face him.

"She is inside talking to your father at the moment Al." Aleazea deadpanned at the nickname, but got over it as he then rolled his eyes when we got next to her.

"Ah see. What for? If ya don't mind me askin'." Acira's eyes looked up towards the sky in a thoughtful stance.

"We have to go to Dlopua and she is asking about what runes to use." Aleazea nods his head slowly thinking of what to say as he stood back up and began walking towards the entrance.

"Oh yeah dat mission for da Grand Elder. Ya'll be careful in there and Acira." He stopped halfway into the cave then looks over his shoulder.

"Yes?" She jerked her eyes back down to meet his dark commanding green eyes.

"Don't scream." And with that he left before she could as why.

The advice, if she willingly called it that, was the strangest she ever heard. She shook her head to rid herself of the feeling, but it decided to stay on its own. She took the advice to heart with or without the strange feeling. She plopped down on the ground feeling conflicted instead.

Not too long after she lay down Prithivi walked back outside with something in her mouth. It looked to be a thick green stalk with many strands of wiry white stems that have been recently dipped in the fruit of the Vava, an oddly shaped plant from a stout bush in the plains of their planet, that produce a special black substance used on their bodies and writing.

"Ya redde?"  Prithivi smiled with the tool in mouth.

Acira sat up once again as Prithivi circled around to her back. She slowly and cautiously drew in the lines and swirls of the first symbol just under her neck in the center.

Now Acira has memorized all the runes that the Seniors had taught her. She quickly and easily recognized the first rune, the most basic and essential to her kind.

Pack: to not lose or forget each other
 

3: Memory

The two walked the path Prithivi knew to be the fastest way to Dlopua. The path was slightly beaten, so it wasn't so bad for the Watere, and after a while they came upon a dead tree whose base bowled outward. Prithivi moved a little faster when they got closer getting ahead of Acira. Acira didn't even try to stop her as she continued at her normal pace.

Prithivi on the other hand couldn't wait to move passed it. They could've taken a different route, but they couldn't waste anymore sun. That tree held some of her worst memories, yet no matter how hard she tried to not come back to it; she came back. Even when her father said not to dwell on the past, but she believes it’s the opposite that the past dwells on her. At that, the memory of walking down this very path caught up to her as her legs slowed down and went into automatic.

Clouds drifted by lazily covering the sun from its inhabitants eleven turns or years ago. A fluffy brown Earthre/Firere mix, at the age of seven turns, the size of a medium sized dog with black on the bottom half her tail bounced happily out of her parents' cave. Her eyes shining bright and ears held high because she knew that her father had a surprise for her. She didn't want to give her hopes up on it being a surprise attack instead, but she couldn't help herself as did like surprises even if they aren't friendly.

"Ah wonder what it’s gonna be!" She continued to bounce all the way to the clearing that her family trains and plays in.

She sat down giddy with her tail wagging to her current mood. She thought and thought of the goodies that her father might give her, but it was hard since he hardly ever gives her anything except for bruises and advice. She didn't want to dwell on it and thought that it might be a toy from Dlopua. A dangerous place with many wonderful things that is good for trading in the main village. Now she really hoped it was a toy or something to play with when she didn't have to train or go to the Seniors for lessons to face her less than friendly peers of small stature.

She was laying down now trying her hardest not to appear too excited when her father finally decided now was a good time to show up with what seemed to be a rope in mouth. He released the roped from his mouth letting it fall to the ground. He steps on it as if whatever he behind wouldn't get away. She thought that maybe her father bought back a creature for her to show off to the other pups. She sat up anxiously with her father giving her a stern look before talking.

"Prithivi."

"Yes dad?" Her eyes bright and waiting for whatever he had in store for her.

"Today ya will start yar lesson on responsibility."

UGH! Prithivi wanted to moan, but knew that if she did that she would be in more trouble than it’s worth so her eyes dulled a little bit at the mention of another lesson. Now she knew it wasn't a plaything and had to take it seriously.

"Ah had ta had ta find ya somethin' ta teach ya instead o' me or tha Seniors beatin' it in ya."

A shy sounding bleat rose from behind her dad. She recognized it to be a Baa, her favorite kind of meat, a sheep-like creature that changes flavors from fish, beef, chicken, and pork. That depending on what and where the tree the Baa attaches itself to was found. Prithivi hoped it came from the plains, because beef was her favorite and with that thought lingering around almost made her lick her maw, but her father shattered that idea.

"Ya will not be eatin' your responsibility." His head lowered to her level and his voice stood stern.

Prithivi narrowed her eyes, but nodded anyways knowing that arguing will not get her out of it.

"This isa newborn Baa an' has not been attached to anythin'. I am lettin' ya take care o' this Baa as ya see fit."

Her father moves his head towards the rope under his paw. Prithivi silently obeys getting up and taking the rope into her mouth. When walks behind her father was amazed at what she saw, so amazed that she had to stop. She had never seen a newborn Baa smaller than her. Its yellowish white fur looked more compact and it seem even meeker. Prithivi had an overwhelming urge to protect it.

It spoke shaken and withdrawn in fear of being eaten, "P-please do not eat me for I am too small...!"

Ah, so it is a boy she thought absentmindedly. She shook her body to go back to what she was intended to do.

"Ah duns not wanna eat cha." She stated trying to sound as convincing as she hoped with a rope in her mouth and apparently she did as the tiny Baa's ears perked up in hopefulness. Prithivi didn't have the heart to burst his bubble, so she took him leaving her dad behind.

The first thing that her brother told her about Baas, since he had to take care of one too, was to find a suitable tree for it. Baas are picky creatures when it comes to trees, so let them pick it themselves cause it'll know and the best tasting ones got to choose their own tree. Prithivi set out on the outskirts of the family cave for this Baa to pick the right tree.

"Where are we going now?"

"We're gonna find ya a tree ta attach ya self to, so ya can be a healthy Baa."

"W-will I get eaten?" The hopelessness was back in his voice.

"No." It was Prithivi's instant without thinking reply.

She couldn't tell for the life of her why she answered that so quickly and knowing it was lie, but she knew it made him happy when he bleated a yay. Prithivi couldn't believe she gave his hopes up and a twisted sick feeling started to lie in the pit of her stomach. She just wouldn't understand why she was feeling this way after eating countless Baas before. Maybe because he is alive, but she had seen plenty of them alive or just having to take care of someone who can't more or less defend them. This made her head hurt and decided to not dwell on it any longer in fear of getting head wrinkles like the some of the Seniors. All of a sudden just a short while before getting to the family cave the Baa stopped in its tracks staring with his whole body turns to the left.

"That one..." That was the only thing the tiny Baa said before trying to bolt.

Prithivi's mouth became tight to keep from losing the rope and the Baa. She quickly turned tail and ran with Baa to find what has gotten him so excited for. They ran for a good minute letting the Baa lead the way with little brown legs going the distance and in effort not to trip over so many rocks. When he got there he slid to a stop plopping down right in front of a fairly large tree whose base bowled out with the branches held high and it was her favorite spot sleep when the sun hits just right mid cycle.

"Aw no, ya ain't plantin' yaself-"

Before Prithivi could even finish the sentence the little Baa's body shook and three dark green vines shot out of his back and dug its self into the ground attaching itself to the roots.

"Here." She frowned with her ears sloping down rather annoyed that he even did that. She let's go of the rope since he isn't going anywhere for a long while.

The Baa didn't seem to care as he began munching on the grass around her favorite tree that she now had to share. She could not believe this tiny thing, but had to deal with for the sake of her father. Prithivi walks up to him and removes the rope from his neck disrupting his eating spree.  He looks up at her with big brown eyes waiting for something.

"Da ya hava name?"

The tiny Baa shakes his head still staring at her. She scrunched her face in thought.

"In dat case how 'bout...Alopa!" A smile spread across her face. Alopa tried to smile just like her, but it really looked like he was just opening his mouth. He chanted his new name with Prithivi getting that strange feeling of sadness.

"Prithivi!"

"-thivi! Prithivi!" Acira yelled in front of her.

Prithivi snapped out of her short-lived memory. They were only a halfway to actually getting to Dlopua. She shook her head quickly to suppress the memory and focus on the task at hand.

"What has gotten into you?" Red eyes narrowed at Prithivi.

"Ah dunno...Ah jus remembered, ya know..."

"Yes, but we have to focus on the mission, okay?" Acira sounded worried and Prithivi didn't want her to be.

"Ah know. Ah'll be fine. Let's go." She hoped she sounded confident especially after that little moment before. Prithivi moved passed her getting back into the mindset.

Acira sighs in acceptance and follows behind her towards the dark woods of Dlopua.