Ask Howling Across the Fields

[Kalique Demici]

Throughout the years, Kalique had madly fallen in love with the countrysides of Spintiir. She had never been much of a city girl and her family's residences on Serenno had also been on the countryside, so perhaps it wasn't really surprising, but while Serenno triggered a whole spicy cocktails of emotions, Spintiir always brought her full peace.

She always fondly remembered how Jonathen had taken her for the very time and what it had made he feel like, but every time she had visited, her positive feelings had just grown further. The wide fields, secluded forests and atmospheric mountains were simply breathtaking, but there was even much more to the world far off Raxus Kalique heavily appreciated.

It was just the right place for the four puppies to grow up at. Ever since Ossus, the four unscathed Saber Wolves puppies had been checked by a vet and transported over to get used to their new surroundings, and Kalique had never second guessed her decision ever since. The puppies were dwelling inside an old, however safe and secured barn Jon's parents owned and didn't use a lot anymore, which had a huge, puppy proven paddock attached to it that had costed Kalique quite a bit, but despite the fall of House Demici, the family's fortune was still far from depleted.

Rhia had insisted on keeping the pups, but what had started as a wild idea had soon formed into a wonderful plan. Kalique had spent hours of research on how to handle the species and on the whole animal bonding aspect of it all, but it was about time Rhia and Kalique actually visited their little pack again. According to Jon's parents, they ate well, but chose to avoid contact at all cost so far, so Kalique was hoping they could make some progress in that area.

If they were to actually train them, they had to build a genuine connection first, but Kalique couldn't deny she was also relatively excited when she approached the barn with Rhia in tow. "Do you feel ready? We definitely have to work on our presence. We have to manage to radiate nothing but calmness when we enter" she adressed the young blonde, a warm smile on her lips.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Rhia had always wanted a puppy, like she was so certain of this in every which possible way. Ever since peering into those eight eyes, she'd been completely smitten and over the moon about them. Not only had she to text Lady Demici incessantly for updates, but in the meantime, the young squire had spent all of her spare time elbow deep reading up on the latest tips and tricks for new dog owners.

Well, the instructions were for dogs and similar creatures, and wolves were similar enough, right? She thought.

Absolutely beaming would be an understatement of emotion for this lil nuclear reactor of happiness, Rhia could hardly be contained as the pair finally approached the barn in question that most certainly definitely was perfectly made for their little fur babies. "Calmness, right..." She excitedly said, trying to keep a cork in the bottle so to speak, even though Lady Demici knew that was probably improbable.

Closing her eyes, Rhia attempted to practise the meditative lessons that her mentor had delivered many times by now and using them to mettle her breathing and heart rate. Beat by beat, the squire did her best to stay in control by taking deep calm breaths and soaking herself in the force, until finally opening her eyes once more.

"Okay, I'm ready." She said with a big smile on her dial.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

In contrast to Jon, Kalique had definitely always been the more excited and overall emotional one. As a darksider, she needed emotions to a certain extent, and she had always been skilled in chaneling them correctly, yet when it came to actual, positive excitement, there usually wasn't a real need to suppress and redirect it.

Hence, whenever Kalique was excited, she usually showed it, however now, she once again had to project her forced calmness onto someone else, and so she tried hard to contain it. "Rhia. I mean it". Despite her serious tone, her lips were still somewhat curled into a subtle smirk before she forced herself to breathe, using meditative techniques to focus her mind.

Rhia was still a bubbly ball of sheer energy until the Squire did the same. It made Kalique incredibly proud that she had gotten so far with her meditation, and so the two of them were soon exhibiting the right energy. "Well done. That's much better". Her smile softly widened as she nodded towards the gate, now that they approached.

Kalique unlocked it right and soon she could already sense the four lively, however instantly scared presences hurry away. Two seemed to have retreated on the ground level of the barn, while the other two presences were clearly upstairs on the first floor, the old hayloft.

"They have gotten used to human voices, yet apperently they always retreat first when someome enters" she calmly explained, locking the gate behind Rhia and led her further inside after. "I'd say we make ourselves comfortable on the ground and see whether anyone is brave enough to approach us".

They already knew their scent as Kalique had repeatedly dropped off worn clothes of Rhia, Jon, even Guin and her. They were most used to Jon's parents as they were the ones feeding them, too, but Kalique was optimistic about the natural curiosity of a puppy. "How is Guin doing? I haven't managed to meet with her in weeks". Their schedules rarely ever aligned and calls were not the same, so as Kalique figured a gentle conversation would be the easiest way to get them to tolerate their voices, she decided to ask the Squire herself.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Spoiler: Theme

Doing her best Lady Demici impression of a brave but loving, together but kind and grounded in meditation, Rhia carefully entered the barn with her mentor. Sensing the pups scramble brought an adorable smile to the young girls face as she continued to fight the urge to simply skip in and cuddle the first one she could find.

Taking a seat down in the middle of the floor only a short distance from the other, Rhia beamed. An endless list of names had been scribbled out while she was back home, but in the end she'd left it behind. No, she decided, they'd trust in the force and make the decision once their names revealed themselves, she thought.

Rhia rolled her eyes with a sisterly glare but softened with a giggle. "I don't know how she has any time to work with how much she checks in on me!" Taking a small piece of straw in between her fingers and playing with it, Rhia shrugged. "I think she's okay, but I think she misses home, even if she won't admit it." The tensions back home had made it hard for to see them, but Rhia was certain that it was all a misunderstanding and that it would be easily solved. But adults were always so annoyingly stubborn sometimes, she thought.

Meanwhile, the first of the two pups on the ground floor found itself torn between eternal puppy restlessness and curiosity. From the corner of their eyes, the two could spot the courageous puppy attempting to brave it out in order to get a closer look and sniff, stalking ever closer with its tail shaking from side to side with excitement.

With a whisper, Rhia smirked. "That one's brave, just like you, Lady Demici."

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

As they walked in, Kalique sensed the four energetic little presence stop stirring. It appeared they were all listening, taking a wife of the new, fresh scents already while it was a mixture of curiosity and fear both, that washed over them. Kalique took a seat in the middle of the free barn space, making herself comfortable on the wooden floor.

The faintly herbaceous, earthly smell of hay permeated the warm air and soon the shuffling of paws could be heard. Her gaze lingered on Rhia while she leaned back all relaxed, letting the pups juvenile, natural curiosity do the work for them. There were dried beefy snacks in her pockets and she knee they'd get a whiff of them, too, also, the pups had skipped breakfast this morning so that the conditions were perfect for their first actual encounter.

Kalique couldn't help but to chuckle softly as Rhia revealed that her caring sister never failed to reach out. She was checking in on her too, and she did the same, but it made her sad that they haven't had any real quality time lately. "That...sounds like her" she amusedly admitted, her voice soft and calm.

"This...yeah" knowing Guin well, Kalique knew the Overseer probably happily threw herself into more work just because of it, so it was more than probable. While they started their chatter though, the first curious and perhaps slightly hungry puppy popped its head around the old tractor, excitedly sniffing the air.

"Here. The smell will probably intrigue them" Kalique only moved slowly, yet every single movement still made the puppy flinch, edge backwards and tug its tail under its hindlegs. Kalique slowly handed Rhia a hand full of Jerky strips before she straightened her back again, meeting her Squire's gaze.

"When I was a kid I've always wanted a puppy..." she softly shared her little anecdote, something she rarely ever did these days, but the bond between her Squire and her was tight. "From what I've gathered, they might still be young enough to be correctly socialized". Grown Saber Wolves (and it was more than certain that the puppies were Rattataki Saber Wolves, according to the vets), usually stayed clear of humans, but as early as they had left their natural habitat, it was technically not too late.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Half the farm would probably have heard an ecstatic squeal if not for the well drilled meditation holding back the tsunami of emotion bottled up behind Rhia's mental grip. Taking the handful of jerky, the squire happily dangled the dried piece of meat before the curious pup, attempting to entice one or more.

Her eyes beamed again, this time staring back at Lady Demici with camaraderie. It was quite hard to imagine her mentor who was like probably the toughest lady the little squire had ever met was once a little girl like her. Of course, it made sense, but the thought trailed and soon Rhia's natural curiosity got the better of her.

In a quiet but calm voice, as to not scare their new friends, she asked. "Did your parents not let you? That's sad. Well, at least you had siblings to play with, right?" After all, for many years, Rhia had been completely and always at her sister's side. At least until her graduation and moving away. But that was life, as hard as it was to accept.

The bravest of the lot sniffed and wiggled their way forward, tracing through the soft hay like a hunter seeking out its prey. With a lunge it struck! Ripping the jerky out of Rhia's hand with a sharp yelp and racing back to its sibling with speed. They'd watch as it returned, only to hand over the lions share of its spoils to the other in a wholesome, kind act.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

Out of the corners of her eyes, Kalique kept noticing the movement that also entailed the two puppies from upstairs making their way down together. They had already growned quite a bit and it was amazing to see, especially because just like the vets had said, they showed no signs of trauma, which then again meant the Sith hadn't gotten to them just yet and they had normal, healthy puppies.

"They didn't", she disclosed, "they had never been too keen on animals". Little Kalique had spent years begging, but they never budged. This had also led to her angry tree throwing phase, but that was a different story.

"And no, I haven't. I'm an only child" she added with a smirk, lowering her voice even further. No, she hadn't been blessed with a caring sister like Guin, but she had been fine with that. At least the puppy part had gotten real now. The first curious puppy one as both, hunger and interest won and it snatched the jerky before it quickly retreated.

"Okay that's a first step" she softly remarked, even hearing the soft chews before paws strived across the floor again. It too another few moments but than the whole squad was approaching and while Kalique slowly ripped a few little chunks off and tossed them a few inches away, she soon watched them all approach with intrigued eyes.

At first, every pup preferred snatching the little flakes and eating them in safety, but just a few minutes later they were getting much closer, not just taking the jerkies out of their hands but also excitedly sniffing at the two. "I've read a lot about animal bonds...I'm curious to see when we can start testing it" she gently added, meeting Rhia's gaze as she kept pretending she didn't notice how close they were in order not to scare them. If they could build something on this, they'd gain loyal companions that would soon grow into large beasts...

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Rhia's little eyes were caught between the emotionally engaging discussion with her mentor and the cuties dang puppies she'd ever seen. Still, she would be remiss to scamper through the rare opportunity that Lady Demici offered, and would enjoy it while it lasted.

"You might not have grown up with one, but Guin seems to have adopted you as our older sister." The little squire chuckled quietly. As strange as their family relationship was, Rhia never once doubted her sister's unconditional love. "I feel so lucky that I have you as a mentor, Lady Demici. I hope I can be half the knight you are some day!"

That was something else that she simply adored about the fluffy rascals. They'd be shy at first, tense and scared but with enough time and love, they'd all be the best of friends. She had to completely resist the urge to waddle over and grab the first one and simply hug it tightly.

Gradually the group started to lose their apprehension, a pair began playing a bit more liberally, while the other two attempted to sneak around and get more jerky. Holding one hand out with some food and the other ready to pat one, Rhia waited patiently.

The immense satisfaction that blossomed across her face as her plan worked, her hand gently rubbing down the back of one brave puppy that was most definitely excited about munching on more jerky.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

Despite their lovely chatter, Kalique kept her calmness trough the Force. They couldn't afford getting the pups agitated, so they kept trying to lure them in with pure softness, yet as Rhia replied, she couldn't hold back a soft chuckle. "Is that what she said?" she amusedly asked, knowing the serious Overseer could be a lovely dork, too, but Rhia was just being adorable again.

"Thank you...you saying that is much appreciated" she softly told her Squire before she forced herself to a more neutral face now that they were surrounded by a herd of ferocious, yet admittedly small and still adorable beasts.

They kept distributing some of the jerky and Kalique began to note that there was already a pack hierarchy amongst them. The biggest male was tye leader, not just the bravest but also the one that barred his teeth first when his little sister tried to snatch his jerky flake.

"They're amazing...I could watch and learn all day" Kalique found them incredibly mesmerizing, but she had an idea. "Let's see whether their curiosity will get them, come" most of the jerky was fed, so Kalique motioned for Rhia to get up and followed.

She moved slowly, but the movement still made the pups retreat and they watched them from a safer distance while the Knight duo headed out."I'm sure they'll follow us onto their secured field". Kalique thought it would give them a chance to see how playful they were and the first male was about to follow right after already.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Rhia was perhaps just as excited to play with the puppies as they were to play with her. Nodding along with Lady Demici's suggestion to leave, the squire slowly and carefully lifted herself up off the floor, while still offering head scratches to the nearest.

One by one, the pups followed the first male in the cutest little conga line you ever saw. Their noses were down to the floor sniffing every new scent and tails high in the air swishing from side to side in excitement. That was of course until the door was opened just enough and then it was over!

Bounding by with reckless abandon, the first male wasted no time in making his escape, yelping like a wild wolf might lead a pack. The second and third, less brave and adventurous, did follow but slightly slower and further back, while the last pup ran as far as the door before stopping. It seemed the lure of the great outdoors was too much for their curious nature and the pups began racing about chasing after every which new thing they saw.

Curiously, though, for Rhia, was the smaller runt of the little that hung back. It didn't want to go racing off, but instead chose to waddle its way beside her, rubbing up against her leg warmly. "C'mon little one, we mustn't keep your family waiting." She said, carefully picking up the tiny girl before following Lady Demici into the field.

It was simply adorable watching the group socialise and within a few minutes of being outside, even the runt had jumped out of her hands to join the others. Excitedly, Rhia turned to her mentor with a huge smile. "Thank you so much for this, Lady Demici. Which one is your favourite??"

Of course, it was clearly obvious which one Rhia would be feeling attached to by now, but she was interested to see if the same could be said for her mentor.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

It wasn't hard to tell the puppies were overly excited for their open air enclosure and they'd both pick that up through the Force too. While Kalique didn't mind that kind of sheer positive excitement, she used it as a first attempt to connect them to the puppies and thus slowly expanded her rather calming presence for them to sense.

The way their ears slightly perched showed her that there was something, but she pulled back with a wide smile right after to let them dash outside. Kalique noticed that the little female one purposely stayed close to Rhia, at least until she sniffed the outside air and so suddenly, bolted after the others, which draw a soft chuckle from her.

Oh she could watch them play all day...and for now she did. They'd start actual training soon enough, so for now a base of shared positive experience was just right. "They're incredible" Kalique was more than glad they had managed to save them on Ossus, as they had thus gained countless opportunities.

The Wolves started chasing each other which made the power dynamic more obvious: The strongest, tallest male was the obvious Alpha, however his one sister was close by. The other male was a bit more reserved, yet still more confident than Rhia's female and - oh...yeah Rhia's female. There was definitely something.

Kalique met her Squire's excited gaze with a warm smile as she replied, "It's hard to decide...I guess I don't have to ask you". Again, the realization drew a short chuckle of her before the tallest male came bolting at her, just to attempt snapping at her shoe laces for fun.

Kalique evaded the snap and even if it was just an attempted tease of the pup, Kalique's presence immediately shifted. It wasn't intimidating at all, yet there was an undeniable determination and authority to it which made the Pup's tail wag, almost as if in apology, before it raced off again. "So this one is already starting to test his boundaries" she noticed, a smirk tugging at her lips again.

It reminded her of some of the Squire's she mentored and perhaps this one was her first challenge. "I'd say tomorrow, we start training...they don't seem scared in our presence at all anymore". That was already important progress and Kalique was excited to continue.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

With how the puppies interacted, it was exciting to see that they were largely getting along like one big happy family. Each played a fun little role in the hierarchy, and although they were still wild animals, it was even more fun to see how they were becoming more familiar with them.

Rhia could also clearly see just how many leadership qualities the tiny baby wolf was displaying naturally. Even with only limited training from is mother, such instincts came naturally and these could be honed into something more. This analogy seemed quite fitting with Lady Demici in the foreground, after all.

"Yesss!!" Rhia barely contained a squeal as her mentor suggested they begin properly training the lil pups. It would be weeks or months before they had both grown sufficently and been properly trained before they would be able to venture with them outside the protection of the fence, and maybe even longer before they could be used on missions. But that didn't stop Rhia from wanting to spend every waking moment with them.

The tiny little female eventually came bounding back towards them, sniffing around Lady Demici playfully before making its way back to Rhia. Squatting down to pat the cutie pie behind the ears, the squire looked up toward her mentor with a smile from ear to ear. "Can we call her Lumi?" She said, now tickling the good girl under her jaw. "Short for Luminous, because she always brightens my day with our adorbs she is!!" Rhia couldn't help but giggle at the name and how the puppy seemed to love the attention.

After a little bit more time had passed it would still seem like a spontaneous question to be sprung upon an unsuspecting victim, especially in light of how much fun they were having, but it had in fact been weighing down the squire for some time. It was of course difficult to ask, but now seemed the best time to broach the difficult question, so rather than hide from it, she decided to take it head on.

Once the puppies had run back off, leaving the two alone, Rhia walked up to her mentor with a slight frown. "Lady Demici, umm." She started slowly, working up the courage to ask. "Being your squire has been the best, and I'm learning so much, and I'm so happy, but someone in the academy said something that had me a little nervous." Rhia's little voice cracked under the pressure just a tad, but she bravely soldiered on.

"They said that eventually you will want to have kids for your own and won't have any time to complete my training. And then I'll be an untrained half-knight stuck in the academy forever like Knight-Instructor Mellonia." A tiny few tears broke through the surface and rolling down her face.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

The tall male pup kept meeting her emerald eyes with its still blueish orbs every now and then and every single time, it made her smile. She knew they'd start growing much quicker soon and the baby blue eyes would turn into brownish shades, but Kalique literally couldn't wait for them to grow.

They had to use their playful pup stage as best as they could to bond before their canine puberty would most certainly turn them into challenges - as Sabed Wolves turned into relatively tall beasts, they had to learn how to control them through authority and mutual respect both with the Force being their little helper to reach their animal brains. It was a challenging endeavor, but Kalique was optimistic. Rhia was a great student and they were prepared already.

"I love that name" Kalique softly replied as she gave her warm smirk. She was the wolf with the lightest fur, too, and the name was oddly fitting for the delicate temper of the little female. "You absolutely get naming rights for her, she adores you already".

In a way, it seemed that the puppy had literally chosen Rhia and Kalique was happy to see it, she was sidetracked just a second later though as the male came racing back at her, recklessly attempting to lick her cheek with a cunning little jump, but he nearly missed. "This one will be trouble..." she softly shook her head as the puppy watched her with a wagging tail, before the other two siblings raced past and all were gone.

The two women started walking as Rhia suddenly broke the short silence, suddenly sounding worried. Kalique stopped where she was and faced her with a slightly concerned frown while the Squire seemingly struggled for the right words. Kalique wasn't entirely sure where the conversation was headed before Rhia suddenly voiced her worries.

There it was. A question that had been on her mind before. She wondered who had started discussing her private life in the headquarter, but given that Jon and her had never been a secret, it wasn't truly a surprise. That Rhia was already concerned by it concerned her though as she didn't want her to spiral into such thoughts. "I will not just abandon you" she gently replied, given her the most important answer first.

"Your training wouldn't just stall, and also, I wouldn't just disappear", despite their professional relationship, they had obviously gotten close throughout their shared time and sometimes Rhia felt like family. Kalique obviously separated those feelings from one another, but it hurted her to see she had gotten nervous because of it. "I promise". She already knew that it wouldn't be easy, but if someone could manage both, it was her.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

When Lady Demici confirmed that they would name the younger pup Lumi, a beam of light could be mistaken for bursting out of the young squire as she squee'd in excitement. At least, for a second or two before realising and quickly shifting to compose herself.

The surrounding situation for her own mentorship was not something that Lady Demici would throw away lightly, if at all, it seemed. Rubbing her eye, Rhia broke a small smile as the other spoke. "Really?" After all, it had made perfect sense when it had been explained to her, but these other squires clearly did not know her very well.

If there was anyone who could juggle the struggle of new parenthood with the high demands of her professional life, it was Lady Demici. "Thank you." Rhia leaned in to offer a hug if her mentor would accept. "For everything, I mean it, and I promise to make it worth your word." Just then the four puppies came bounding over and rushed around them in an excited frenzy as if they were on the hunt.

The whirlwind of fur caught Rhia by surprise, dragging a cheerful giggle out of the emotional teen as she turned to watch them race around. "Lady Demici, which one are you going to name?" She inquired softly, as if her words might spook them whilst they played.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

Even if Rhia was somewhat soothed, her mind stayed preoccupied for a while. The future was seemingly constantly catching up with her and a few decisions had to be made. She nodded once again, an encouraging smile on her lips before she came to a halt again, her gaze roaming across the fenced field.

The puppies were always close by. Even if they kept chasing and playfighting, they were always moving to where Rhia and Kali were headed. As Rhia suddenly went for a hug, Kalique allowed it. At least here. It felt right. Kalique was rather close with all of her Squires, but with Rhia it was more than that and here they were perhaps also as Rhia and Kali, not Squire and mentor.

A smirk crossed her lips then, but before she could add something else, the whirlwind of fur kept bolting in again. "Oh well...we truly have to start controlling this chaos". It was the tall male every single time who instigated the rest to hunt each other, and once Kalique squatted down, her was the first who attempted jumping right at her face again.

"No" she said determinantly, and for a moment the puppy took it as a challenge to start snapping again, but Kalique simply held him off and repeated her command with an even firmer voice. "No". The tail kept wagging, but with a little snarl he bolted off.

"This one I might actually call chaos". It was oddly poetic - they, as Imperial Knights constantly had to control the chaos of the dark side while drawing from it at the same time. Also, his fur was rather dark and brindled, so it seemed fitting, even if the contrast to Lumi was one like day and night. "Maybe we should take them inside...they seem to get a little overstimulated. Are you hungry?" as they hadn't eaten yet, perhaps food wasn't even a bad idea.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

There was something immaculately comforting about the embrace that they shared in that meadow, just beside the barn, under the warm sunlight. A collection of a student's caution with a steady helping of teenage weariness, combined most dutifully with a mentors love and dedication.

Rhia giggled as the 'chaos' of it all unfolded, even when they were being brats, she couldn't help but see the cuteness in everything they did. Mouthing an excited cheer but keeping it under wraps to avoid startling them, the squire wholeheartedly agreed with the naming choice.

"That sounds like a great idea, I'm famished." She said excitedly. Of course shepherding them back into the barn seemed like an impossible task with how energetic they had been, but an ounce of inspiration hit as the young blonde pondered the question. Signalling for Lady Demici to follow, the puppies would notice the pair leaving back into the barn, and their natural curiosity mixed with a fear of missing out would ensure they promptly arrived in time for the door to be shut behind them.

Being the amazing squire that she was, Rhia had of course packed herself a healthy lunch full of fruit, rice, beans and the like. But she waited to hear what Lady Demici had in mind before mentioning it, in case the lady had other plans. After all, she could always eat the meal for dinner later anyway.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

All they had to do was walk and the puppies' eyes soon perched. They couldn't stand the thought of not knowing where the two blondes went, so they soon started circling them again and kept following. Without any discussions, the pups were soon inside and Kalique could close the barn again, knowing it was safer if they stayed here for now.

"We have to feed them later again, too" Kalique said to Rhia as they walked out again and closed the last door. Kalique had enough fresh meat supply here, but she knew that sooner or later they'd have to start hunting on themselves too, and this meant, they had to keep a safe distance from the farm animals or be taught not to hunt them...

"Unfortunately, I've only got ration packs" she had to admit and she didn't hide that she wasn't really enthusiastic about it either. Traveling around always made you having to improvise, and when you had to bring decent amounts or fresh meat, too, there wasn't much space for fancy lunches.

"But I assume you've brought yourself something better anyway?" Kalique couldn't help but ask, a smirk crossing her lips. She knew Rhia often prepped her meals and it wasn't a bad idea at all. For her, a ration pack would totally suffice, but it meant that the two of them could look for a nice spot in the sun, have their meals and then continue.

Kalique had some more force training planned for the afternoon which was actually preparation for tomorrow, and afterwards they'd have to feed the pups and spent some more time with them, before they'd start the actual training tomorrow. Kalique was still excited about it, and she didn't have to ask Rhia either.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Feeding the puppies was definitely going to be one of her favourite activities, if she didn't place such a high priority on being the top squire in the year she would have happily taken the year off to play and look after the babies.

As for feeding themselves, Squire Delevigne wasn't about to let Lady Demici suffer from the paltry ration packs that were more made for soldiers and those happy enough to eat without palates. "Yes! And I brought enough for the both of us, just in case." Her cheerful smile could disarm all but the most intense. Once they found a nice warm spot under a large oak tree, Rhia would throw out a small blanket for the pair to sit on and admire the view.

It was simply amazing that anyone could choose to live in a large, busy industrial city when the likes of this farm existed. Rows of fruit trees lined the distance far behind the safety of the barn, and the sun wrapped all in its warmth. Taking out a number of containers, the ladies would be treated to a delicious and nutritious vegetarian meal of fruits, pasta and other tasty treats including a cold bottle of grapefruit juice.

Fortunately, the afternoon's training would go well and before long they would be back at the homestead, catching an early rest.

--

The sleepover was ALSO the one of the best things about the trip, as Rhia sat up in the comfy guest bed at first light. If there was anything she was, it was punctual. She wouldn't skip her usual routine, but being as they were together, the squire thought it would be fun for the pair to meditate together before their day began.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Demici]

"Of course you have..." she immediately threw her a warm grin, knowing it was typical for the young Squire. It still warmed her heart all over again while she also found it somewhat amusing, but she immediately added a soft, "Thank you, that's really considerate".

Together with Rhia's multi course balanced menu and the plain protein addition they had quite a good meal in the warm golden fall sun before they continued with training and the early evening puppy feeding routine. The rest of the day was relatively uneventful, but in a good way, so that they could turn in relatively early just to be up early again the next morning.

--

Before they'd get started with a quick but wholesome, filling breakfast, Kalique noted that Rhia was up early again as well, so that the two women could begin with a shared mediation at first. Kalique felt refreshed and well rested, so she was absolutely ready for the day. "Have you slept well?" she asked her relatively lightheartedly as they had breakfast.

The sun was just beginning to show its first rays on the horizon and Kalique expected it to be rather fresh outside, but the sky was relatively clear so the conditions for their first official pup training day seemed excellent. "I'm curios...actual animal bonding is a complicated skill, but I'm confident we'll find our way" it was admittedly easier for lightsiders, but Kalique was certain there was a way for them to start bonding without forcing the poor puppies' minds into submission or whatsoever.

@Xorism

 

[Rhiannon]

Nodding while quickly chewing through her delicious brekkie before swallowing with a big gulp. "Yes! Actually, the bed was quite comfy compared to the academy bunks!" The squire in turn asking the same of the Knight-Captain.

Taking things outside into the bright, beautiful day, Rhia was just as excited as she had been the previous. "Uh, Lady Demici. Does that mean we're using the force on them, or do you mean bonding like a civilian would?" Her question was genuine, as technically they were very different methods and the results would be complicated.

If they bonded by the force, it would be strong initially, but the animals would still be quite wild and only controllable to a degree. They wouldn't be gaining loyal companions as much as controlled servants for their bidding. That being said, they were still wolves, and even trying to tame them the old-fashioned way was inherently risky and fraught with danger as they aged. Although, bonding this way would generally make the animals more willing to put themselves at risk to help their humans.

Not that Rhia had any intentions of purposefully ever putting Lumi in harms way.

"How should we start?" The little mind inquired, excited and ready to do her best.

@LadyRen