I yawn a bit grumpily as mama wakes me. It takes me a long sleepy moment to remember why she is nudging me, but then suddenly the trip to the Dale springs to mind and I scramble to my feet, tripping as I do so. I blink, looking around in the dim lighting. The world is nearly the same shade as my smoky black form. Mama had told me early, but the sun is not even awake yet. I can barely eat as we meet the others. I nicker playfully at all of them, easily the most energetic at this point, anxious to begin our adventure.
(Well, for me, this is an adventure! The adults are probably a little more sedate about the whole thing.)
As soon as we set out, I am a bundle of unbridled energy. The dynamics of our group mean very little to me. To me, they are a collection of my home and each is precious, even Aoi, who is a bit of a mystery at this point. I trot around the adults, nosing Joscelin's side and looking curiously at the world outside of the Jungle. After awhile I notice Killdare farther behind and I leave my mother's side (she seems a bit lost in thought) to greet him in delight. I tease Killdare to get him to play with me. He obliges me, and I giggle with delight as he pretends that my nips actually hurt. I am glad that Joscelin made him visit. After a bit, mama's call brings me back to her side.
I grow serious as we stop near the border of the Dale, all wide brown eyes and pricked ears. It's cold here, so different from my jungle home. I glance up at mama, pressed against her side, a bit nervous. We are approached quickly, and she says her name is Soleil. She is very, very big and pretty. Of course, no one is as pretty as my mama. Joscelin introduces us.
"I like the trees here, Soleil." I say with a shy smile.
the jungle princess