Ember hadn't exactly woken uwhen she wanted that might have had something with the warm little ball of fur that laid against her stomach, a small pup which belonged to one over the other pack members she really liked ember for some reason and would almost always be found sleeping with her
Nich didn't know where Ember's den was, nor did he think he was allowed to go in, so he just headed out to the main area to sit there and wait for her to come out. He yawned, still trying to wake up, and watched as pups ran out to roll around in the grass.
Ember eventually woke up to the little wolf moving around she poked her head up watching as the tiny little thing stretched and rolled over all while playing with embers tail she chuckled before nudging the little pup so they could both stand up. Ember made her way out of the den with the little wolf practicality underneath her
Nich was quietly looking around when Ember finally appeared from her den. He spotted her and stood, his prosthetics making a soft clunking sound, and he tilted his head curiously at the wolf pup beneath her. "Yours?" He questioned, turning his gaze back up to Ember. He didn't think she had any pups, but he also didn't know her that well.
Ember walked over to nich and laughed a little before looking down at the little gry ball of fur "hm? Oh no she's not mine, she just likes to follow me around that's all." The little wolf let out a high piched bark before growing and gnawing on ember leg
"Ah, makes sense. I'm not really around enough children for them to like me that much." He hummed thoughtfully and yawned, looking back down at the pup. He wondered if she had seen a fox before. "I suppose my nephews are sort of that way. They're often preoccupied with playing with each other."
Ember laughed and looked down at the pup "if im being honest with you i have no idea why she likes me so much she just started sneaking away from her mother and i would wake up to her curled up next to me."
Nich laughed softly as well, shuffling his paws as he watched the pup. "Do you plan to have any at some point? Since you're the future alpha, I suppose you're probably expected to have an heir."
Ember looked up at nich then back at the pub "eh..i haven't really thought about finding a mate..im to stressed, but if the opportunity presents itself, i don't see why i wouldn't want to. "
Nich nodded a bit. "I haven't really thought about it either. Since we're not accepted in society, it's not like I can really go out and meet people. I'm seen as weird because of my prosthetics, too…"
The pup looked up at nich finally realizing he was there and stood up straight quickly squinting her eyes as she practically looked into his soul and then sneezed " ah….okay then don't mind her she's weird, but why would people not like you're legs they look interesting. "
Nich blinked in confusion as the pup stared at him, unable to do much more than stare back until she stopped. He glanced back up at Ember at the question. "Well, humans see people with prosthetics or disabilities as weak. I don't have real legs. Kids are scared of the strange man with fake legs."
"Well i don't find them weird or scary and i don't think she does either, i find them funny looking ive never seen anything like them before. "
"Yeah, I guess so." Nich scratched behind his ears and yawned. "They're sorta unusual, so people don't like seeing them. And I'm not going to pretend I'm not at a bit of a disadvantage with most things with false legs."
"Hm we im sure you gain things from having them i mean sure you have them and that sucks but you have a story to tell at least. "
Nich shrugged. "I suppose. It isn't exactly the most fun story. At least my legs don't really get tired, I guess, since I don't have any. Sometimes the prosthetics can get uncomfortable after a long time walking…"
( Not ember trying to justify laziness XD)
"Ah but then you take them off and you have and excuse not to walk!" she was joking kinda maybe just trying to make him feel better
(Lol)
Nich laughed softly and sighed. "Yeah, guess so. I like to be able to do things myself, though. But I guess I'm used to the prosthetics; I've had them since I was a kid."
Ember nodded to herself and looked down at the pup " yes i supose so, but there is no shame in asking for help though just remember that. "
Nich nodded a bit and looked down at the pup, dipping his head as a greeting to her. "I know… I guess I always just got used to having to everything myself anyway since I'm not welcome in society. It's not so bad, though. Being independent is good."
Ember nodded "well while it is good to be independent it's also good to know you're not alone in this world." The pup was over all confused at nich's action she took a couple steps forward and licked his nose before yapping at him and biting his ear
"Mhmm." Nich watched the pup curiously and then jumped when she nipped at him, raising his head out of her reach. "The only fox shifter kits I've ever seen, aside from myself and my sister, are my nephews. There aren't a lot of us in this area."
Ember laughed a little at their reaction and dipped her head down looking at her "that's why you explore. "
"Yes, I suppose so. I don't get to do much exploring." Nich smiled softly and placed a paw on the pup's head. "Does she like me or hate me?"
"She's trying to figure that out at the moment, but i think she does like you."