Harmlessly did I nibble upon my brother's ear, thrilled for him to join in on my games. Once I released my oh so strong grip upon him I stumbled backwards, uncaring in my lack of grace for I was amongst my family and never had they - nor would they ever - judged me. We were quite the motley crew, we four pups of Daddy and Mom. I flounced away from my warrior brother Vortigern to answer the questions of my more serious brother Tzadkiel. And as I rolled onto my back my striated eyes flickered towards Astraea, one beset with an imagination far grander than even my own. I grinned lopsidedly up at Vortigern as he came to rest beside me, placing a single paw on my exposed underbelly. He was always looking out for me and my siblings. Even as I rotated onto my side to lay a bit more properly he slid down to lay side by side with me.

As I conceded that the names fresh from my imagination that day were beginning to fade with the sun, both Vortigern and Astraea reassured me that they would return tomorrow, just as the stars would return in the night that was fast approaching. It was Tzadkiel who expressed his doubts about the connection between the lights cast by the sun and the stars that illuminated the night sky. My head tilted slightly to the side as I gazed up at my brother. I wondered how he would find out, but I had every confidence in his ability to do so if that was what he set his mind to! My short puppy tail swept back and forth through the grasses, enjoying the company of each of my siblings. So close did Vortigern lay to my side that I was completely content, and Astraea came to place a paw on my side and lick me atop the head. My head tipped back, tongue flicking out to lick at her cheek before she withdrew, a giggle accompanying the action.

I glanced to Tzadkiel upon his stump, thinking that I would be so completely happy if he came and joined in and maybe set one of his paws on mine so that we were all connected like we were when we slept in a pile within the den. But my black ears flicked to the side as Vortigern suggested a game of night tag and Astraea chimed in her excitement at the prospect before she danced away from them slightly. Tzadkiel was quick to agree as well, and my tail thrummed against the ground as I piped up, "Oh, yes!" Tzadkiel was quick to move to action, leaping from the stump to tackle Astraea and proclaim that she was it, my eyes widening in surprise as I jumped to my paws. Even as Tzadkiel ran to hide behind Vortigern's form, I took off like a shot, sprinting around to the opposite side of the stump where my brother had only just moments before been perched.

Panting with excitement I glanced around the stump to see that Astraea was in hot pursuit of Vortigern, reaching out to grab the very tip of his tail before announcing that now he was it! Quickly she changed direction and ran back towards me, and I almost pulled my head back to hide from her when I remembered we were playing tag not hide and seek. So I jumped out just as my sister slipped up and tumbled into the grass and dirt. By the time I reached her she was already back on her feet and dancing about, and so I joined her, making a pattern of sorts as we circled and looped back past one another, taunting Vortigern to try to catch one of us!

zero - zaphkiel x astrid - taviora