There was no reason. No explination. The sudden epidemic left many of my loved limp upon the ground, stiffened by their constant darkness. There was a high risk of the plague spreading to the young, but that was not the main source of the current problem. Adding to the illness came the attacks; they surged for us at our most vulnerable time, taking most of us captive. Only few made it away-sadly it was only the pups whom did so. Out of all of them who escaped, I was the oldest, more muscular and masculine. Holding the powerful position of leader with my betrothed, Diana, I knew we could hold our small group up. Tatiana, our second in command at the moment, has worked hard for her spot, and just days ago me and Diana had agreed on promoting the girl. Rahuni, Ithilwen and Shaylee would need to work a little harder-not that Ithilwen and Rahuni did their job extra wonderfully, but Shaylee was a slacker. There wasn't much of a friendship between her and her female leader, anyone could tell she didn't exactly appreciate her in any way, but the least she could do was do what is asked, and perhaps even she would be treated better.

Second to step from the line of the outer world to Blossom Field, my appendages length in stride slightly as I catch up to the alabaster and crimson tipped fatale, radars swiveling to catch any sort of noise or presence of danger within the area. A few prickers here and their stabbed at my pads, but none to harsh to where it could break through. Detecting nothing that could endanger us all, I came to a halt and listened to what Diana had to command. Hazel stargazers swiped over the area before returning to her, trailing over her dainty frame and taking in her colorful cloak, starting from her crimson dipped stockings to her chocolate tipped audettes before lingering on her emerald pools. The demanding tone called out for the scouts, stating for them to do their job and check the area. Rather quickly, I threw in my own set of words. "But be careful." I knew they would be words that would make them laugh, but we didn't need anyone getting hurt on the job. After a few silent moments of my own eyes trailing after Rahuni and Ithilwen, I turned my multi-colored crown in the "Queen's" direction, returning her loving smile and sliding closer to her side, my own fur brushing up against hers. "Indeed it is," The smile was still formable on my lips, and as I looked at her I couldn't help but not let it slide from my facade.

Eventually I had turned attention elsewhere, lowering my stomach to the ground to rest for the time being as we awaited an answer. Immediatly my vision caught sight of Shaylee, bringing a slight frown to my kissers. The gal was just simply lacking on her job, preferring to not listen to our orders. Typical Shaylee. I let my head lean down to my paws, putting my weight upon them as I heaved a sigh, only coming back to reality when I felt the pressure of Diana's delicate cranial upon my shoulder, followed by the faint movement of her jowls as she speaks to the scouts. Rahuni was the first to answer, appearing from practically no where and stating there was no danger, but soon after that little Ithilwen stormed in quite jealously. The maiden was off once more to scout ahead, and of course I couldn't protest on her double checking, but I knew of the trouble we have had a few times. She has wandered to far, becoming lost until she eventually rounded her way back a few hours or so later. Chuckling lightly, I raised myself to my pillars and stretched, not exactly paying attention to Diana much as she kept to herself near the edge of the flower line, wondering in intense curiosity at why half was in such a black soot. Good question, if you ask me.

Not until I heard Diana's growl had I turned so quickly, but she was gone from her original spot in a flash and was suddenly ten feet or so away from the splitting line, sighing heavily in somewhat embarrassment. Confusion entered my facade as I padded quickly over to my betrothed, and soon two others were at her sides; pressing their nose into the mistresses business. "Space. Give her space," I let my luminaries meet each of theirs before I stepped forward and pressed my nose against Diana's next in a comforting manner. Okay, some say we were too young for love, and perhaps it was true, but nothing was going to shake the feeling of what I felt for this girl right now. After a few normal heartbeats, I stepped back a few steps to see how she was doing, and then glancing over at Shaylee as she approached my right flank, asking a question that I had no answer to. Simply I shrugged my shoulders, unable to give her a direct answer for even I had no clue myself.

O R E N

prince | pup | betrothed to Diana | word count:
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