➵The Pupper Games➵ ROLEPLAY (OPEN: FOR PUPPER GAMES PLAYERS ONLY)

THE PUPPER GAMES - SECOND EDITION

District 10 - The Court of Howls' territory

Amon is thrilled. The Games have already become the main topic of discussion in the Court, especially among the Howling Commandos, that like to fantasize in between their hunts about the great strategies their tribute could use to win the competition.

The poor pup is not even born and Jax and the others are already having such impossible high expectations for them.

But Amon can't stop himself from doing the same. He checks the pregnant females almost every hour and had ordered they will only eat the best of the preys. Nanuk bred with the lead of another pack and Amon has great hopes for her puppies. But she is young. Maybe too young and a first litter can mean complications. Amon really likes her and he is reclutant to risk her beloved first pups for something they all know will probably lead their tribute to a premature death.

Then there's the travelling female they welcomed in the summer. As always, Daarth couldn't keep his flirts away from her and now she is carrying his pups. Daarth is strong, he is a killing machine. His pups will probably inherit his strenght and accomplish great things in the Games. Yes, one of her pups will probably be the best choice. Once born, the pups will be members of the Court and Amon would have no remorse in chasing the mother if she starts to complain about the Games.

But there is still time. Nothing is to be decided until winter comes...

District 2 was getting ready to send its second-ever candidate to the pupper games. Female hunters all begged to be the one to carry the next litter but Peachy Keen was the one chosen. Her ultrasound showed four possible candidates. She affectionately called them her little warriors.

District 11's Apicem Pack

A howl during the hours of night alerted Nix to their entrance into the second run of the Pupper Games, though the games are fairly new they've been the talk of the lands and even the smallest of mice seem to know about the event. There's many theories on how the games have started, yet nobody quite understands who runs it, how it started, and why. All Nix knows is her pack is next, a pit forms in her gut at the thought of pushing one of her packs sacred pups out into the world without proper training or care, but those are the rules of this mysterious game and if not followed what kind of leader would she be?

Announcing the frightful news to her pack the next morning erupts a wave of whispers amongst the crowd, those with pups already letting out a sigh of relief that none of their pups would have to succumb to such violence where as those who would be ready to breed before winter all share a collective worrying glance amongst one another. This winter would be a terrifying time for the pack and the future litters that would grace their ranks, but for how long?

Weaving her way through the crowd Nix presses her muzzle against the shoulders of all that have the potential to birth the next pup of the games, apologizing yet thanking the future mother-to-be's for their sacrifice and reassuring them that in the event their pup wins the games and brings honor to the pack they would be raised among the best of their hunters; and in the event the pup would fail it would be remembered for eternity among the packs records, alongside Nix and the future leaders of the pack.

The morning of the first winter would be the choosing day, a few mothers have already been given proper care to prepare them for this difficult time and despite being cared for like royalty the upcoming mothers shrink back at every mention of the games. Nix does not blame them, watching a pup of your own putting themselves into such danger breaks even her heart, but she mustn't let these fears dissuade her or else she fears her reputation and honor of being Apicem's first leader could fall.

District 10 - The Court of Howls' territory     Last day of Autumn

While checking out Raine's newborn pups, just a few hours old but just so promising (even stoic wolves can have a soft spot for puppies), Amon doesn't forget to check out the other pregnant females, especially those two that will bear the tribute for the Games.

The traveller girl seems quite calm and relaxed, almost indifferent to the approacing birth. She has been fed and taken care of like she was a member of the Court, but she seems to be a loner, well aware that her presence it's just temporary.

Nanuk, on the other hand, is clearly nervous. She has spent the last two days asking Maverik tips and reassurance about the birth and she has obsessively adjusted her nest almost every hour. Amon has already decided to spend the night near her nest, just in case he is needed to make her feel safer. Yadi said she is already starting to feel the first small contractions but, like all first litters, it will take all day before she really go into labour so there is no doubt the pups will be born in the winter.

But surprisingly, Amon's previous thrill is starting to turn into unrest. He wants to compete in the Games. He wants to put his pack through this difficult challenge, even if it will probably mean they will lose a pup. But he can't stop thinking about baby Isaribi, the last addition to the pack, and about the surge of pride and protectivness he has felt this morning when he has checked out her and her littermates. A fluffy ball of whimpering fur so helpless and weak that even his cold heart has melted.

The tribute they will send out tomorrow will be no different. Helpless and innocent. And still, he will send them out to die.

District 11's Apicem pack, First day of Winter...

The first signs of winter have began to show late into the night, snow beginning to drift across the fields the pack has recently moved to and the sound of pained whimpering coming from within the den of the popping mothers. They had two females that would be showing signs of labor due to birth on the morning of winter and many possible contestants would be born. Both wolves knew what to expect from their litters, and though the thought of allowing one of their own venture out into the world without any sort of training scared them they knew it had to be done.

As the first signs of morning began to show the cries of puppies filled the morning air. Typically the sound brought joy to the pack, ever curious to see their newly arrived members, but this time it brought nothing but pained looks towards the den and whispers amongst the crowd as Nix paced back and forth. Seven pups were given life, and one would be chosen to be sent to its impending doom.

Nix chose carefully, sniffing and examining every pup in front if her before picking up the one she thought would be the best fit. The pain in the mothers eyes grew as she watched her pup get carried away and quickly abandoned the other two, afraid that they would only suffer now that she would go without food until the contestant was weaned. 

"Today marks the first of winter, today is the day we send this pup off to challenge the rest of the packs, and hopefully by the end of these games our pack will go down in history as the winner of the second Pupper Games!" Nix announced, laying the pup at the front of her paws as it cried out for the mother it would never know.

District 10 - The Court of Howls' territory   First day of Winter

Winter hit hard. Harder than expected. Of the 6 pups born, only 3 survived: one from the traveller's litter and two from Nanuk's.

Knowing that he needed to present their tribute as soon as possible, he went first for the traveller's pup, almost already convinced of taking it as the sacrificable pup. Their mother was no one of them. He didn't care for her sorrow, even if the pup was technically also Daarth's. But as soon as he saw the brownish pup, a male, he knew that pup wouldn't stand a chance. Too small, too fragile. Weak. Not one of the best fruits of their finisher's loins.

So, he turned towards Nanuk's nest. She had had a long labour, a battle she fought with the courage typical of all the member of the pack. And she was there, licking lovingly her two pups like they were the most precious thing in the whole world. Feeling something cold settling in his stomach, he stopped in front of her, a serious expression on his face.

Her tired but happy smile vanished in an instant, replaced by fear and, after a moment, by pain and sad acceptance. She moved her body so that Amon could see the two pups. They were so different from one another, the small male almost a copy of Nanuk, while the biggest girl looked darker. It wasn't a hard choice to make: the male was a runt, it would be already a miracle if he survived when taken care of.

Amon first nuzzled Nanuk's sad face. An apology, more than a comforting thing. Then he bent down, carefully taking the little girl in his mouth. He said nothing and so did the rest of the pack, that had gathered there in silence.

When he left the nests area, it was at the sound of deep howls full of sorrow. Not a single member of the pack kept back from crying their goodbye.

Amon named her Victoria. A wish. Or maybe, just a hope to have her back to them.

District 2's First Day Of Winter

Peachy Keen knew this day was coming but she didn't regret anything. With four puppies born she was tasked with choosing the strongest. She picked the Almond colored puppy and named him Sir Puppington. She knew in her heart that he was a warrior.