Maradona was ALMOST completely grown into the long-legged, gangly yearling that she would be in the spring time. In time she would learn to grow into the lethal, graceful dancer body that she inherited from her father and grandmother. Eventually there would be only the slightest hint of her mother's tank-like build to her shoulders. She would be forever feminine, and with a mind like Maradona's that could only spell trouble for those easily deceived by a pretty face and a serpents tongue. For now, she was caught in the hazy awkwardness of a growing pup and it was a miracle that she could use those long legs of hers without tripping over them. It was strange that she resembled her father so much while dressed in her mother's coloring. There was the slightest bit of silver flecks along her top line but otherwise, she was a dark shadow much like her mother.

She had decided to see exactly what sort of teacher she would have in the future. Father had said that she would train with a wolfess named Chickadee. Maradona was not about to allow her training to be with some air headed creature that fell below her own standards for teachers. Spoiled? Perhaps. But less than Cersei. Father had given a brief description of what this Chickadee looked like and Maradona decided that one mid-winter to seek her out. Cersei got to go with Mother and Father on little excursions but Maradona would be shirked off onto a stranger. Mara wondered if Cersei really was the favorite?! Then again, she had noticed that Mother seemed to be growing bigger and that she was fixing up the den and expanding it. The little black near-yearling had a sinking suspicion that she, Cersei and Octavia were not going to be the only children come spring time. Even better that she should get the heads up on Cersei so that she could prove her worth to her parents.

She trotted along the dunes, weaving between the sea grass and the peaks and valleys of the sand mountains. She spotted a wolf that looked like the description that she had been given. Perhaps that this was Chickadee and even if it wasn't, at least Maradona would know one more wolf in this new kingdom. No longer were they the grandchildren of the Fallen Queen. She was the second eldest of the Alphas of Glorall. She watched as this older wolf moved along the seashore before choosing a spot to sit down and watch the oceanic horizon. Maradona inhaled deeply, gathered the courage that was always brewing just beneath the surface and wandered down. She would not have Cersei outdoing her in anything and if she had to be a little braver to get ahead in life, well, Maradona would do it and not blink an eye. She made no effort to hide her footsteps and sat down besides the russet and black peppered creature. She looked out onto the great expanse of emerald and blue before glancing up at her with her own dark blue eyes. "Are you Chickadee? I am Maradona." She could not hide the mild hopefulness that she had found her future teacher. Eventually, she would be able to hide her emotions, hide her footsteps and hide her thoughts from those that sought them. Eventually she would be able to exact secrets and gain trust in those that should not trust her. Eventually. But for now, she was nothing but a gangly, growing pup that wanted desperately to grow up faster.

My tongue
will taste of gin and malicious intent