||The Missing|| Chapter: Thirty-one | Settled in |

Instructions

some random rant in N&C read it if ya want XD enjoy! CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE ---------------------------------------------- Sophie walked underneath Sunburst, her fur was fluffed and she tried not to stumble, she peered through his legs and looked at Rieka, who walked up to someone and asked for four plates of food, she sounded irritated. Sophie looked at Snowy peak, he stood with an unreadable expression, he look down at her and she flinched, looking away she came face to face with the pup from earlier, she remembered his mom calling him Swirl. "hi..." she said shyly. Swirl blinked his big innocent eyes, "hello. my name Swirl..." he pointed to the little wisp of white on his chest, it was a small perfect swirl. "cause of me swirl" Sophie smiled and relaxed a bit, she hasn't talked with another wolf her age since her village got destroyed, "I-I'm Sophie..." she whispered, Swirl inclined his head and Sophie stared at him for a moment thinking, "cause I'm soft?" she tried. Swirl touched her arm fur. "oh. Softie... I like it." standing stiff, ears forward and tail up, with a slightly upward tilt of his head and closed eyes, "top name!" he said curtly, before giving her a toothy grin, he wagged his tail, and Sophie wagged hers back slowly, Swirl made a small hop back then did a short playful bow before leaping back, he ended up right in her face, he sniffed her and huffed playfully, taking a small step back he let out a yip and snapped at the air. Sophie gazed on confused -she had never played with pups like this back home- before instinct kicked in, with a hesitant bow to initiate play she felt her tail start wagging hard, she let out a sharp bark and leapt at Swirl. the pups wrestled in the dining area, yipping and snapping, jumping back then colliding again. Rieka watched them play, a smile crept up her face, she took another bite off her bread, it was good but not worth the precious money she had taken, frowning at it she turned back to the pups, to get her mind off the price. Sliver slipped up to the counter with Rieka and leaned to look at the food. "dont waste it..." Rieka jumped at the sudden voice, she whipped her head around and looked at Sliver, who had a fake wide smile. "its a waste of food, money, and time if you dont eat it all." she said with feign kindness. Rieka just forced a smile and nodded "uh-huh, sure thing." she said through gritted teeth, Sliver nodded and flashed her teeth kindly before turning to the pups "Swirl. get over here, time for you to take a nap, leave the kind young lady alone." Swirl stopped, "yes mother..." with tail drooping he trotted to his mom, she picked him up and took him away, talking just loud enough for Rieka to overhear, "dont play with such awfully mannered pup." Rieka let out a growl, and glared at Sliver, who walked away confidently. Sophie yawned as Sunburst carried her to their room, Rieka swished her tail angrily and opened the door, it was a room with four twin beds. Snowy peak burst in and leapt on top of the first bed with a sigh, "I missed this..." Rieka let out a laugh and walked up besides the bed, she placed a paw and she felt calmness sweep over her, "oh wow, it is really soft." she jumped up and curled up on the bed, letting out a sigh and closed her eyes, she felt a nudge and her eyes opened instantly. "W-what now?!" she said, her tone was thick with fear, making her hackles rise. Sunburst flinched away, his eyes where wide, "O-oh I'm sorry I-I didnt mean to startle you." he shifted his paws and bowed his head submissively "its just... " he looked at the ground, embarrassed. "I came to say goodnight." Rieka let out a amused chuckle and relaxed, "good night Sunburst." she licked his nose. Sunburst ducked his head shyly and licked her cheek "goodnight." he walked over to his bead and leapt on it gracefully, he quickly fell asleep. Rieka looked to Sophie who was relaxed on the pillow, she was peacefully asleep and she wore a smile on her face. Rieka let out a content sigh, and looked to Snowy peak who lay on the bed asleep, she shuddered at the way he was oddly still, she watched his flanks and they never seemed to rise or fall, she shook her head and rested her head and drifted to sleep. unaware to the howling wind and the dark clouds.