Roamer of the Beyond

You're making your way your way through the woods, walking alongside a small stream when you hear the unmistakable sound of several pups not far off. You head towards it, eventually coming across a calm clearing where the stream has stalled and collected into a shallow pool, the streambed full of small smooth pebbles. Four pups splash around merrily in the water, as a young female tries (with some measure of exasperation) to get them all to focus on whatever she's trying to tell them.

"Pups, there will be plenty of time for more playing later, we're almost done with today's lessons." She says, batting two playfighting pups apart. They roll back and splash in the water, which brings forth a chorus of giggles. She gives a small sigh closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. You step forwards, stifling a chuckle at her struggle. She turns in surprise as you approach, relaxing only slightly when she notices you don't seem to bear any ill-intent.

"Oh! Hello! I didn't hear you approach. These little rascals were making too much of a ruckus, as rascals do." She said, with a playful growl at the pups. They had stopped what they were doing when you approached, looking over at you curiously.

"Normally I wouldn't mind the company, but I'm currently in the middle of something and-" She stops looking between you and the pups who have already decided playing in the water would be more interesting.

"You know what? I don't think I'll be able to make any more progress today, you're welcome to stay. Class dismissed, pups. . . if you're even listening." She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders, settling down in the water at the edge of the pool.

"This is a nice area, I remember Storm used to take me here when I was about their age. It was a nice spot, so I figured I would bring them here just like I had been brought here. Suppose I should've realized how much of a chore it would be to get puppies to stop playing in a place like this. There's always tomorrow to continue the lessons." She said, giving a resigned smile.

"There's so many nice spots like this one tucked away around here, you know. Growing up on this land I would always slip away to explore and try to find more, much to Strom's displeasure, I'm sure. Now that I'm in her shoes I can barely begin to imagine how much of a headache I was to watch over." She says thoughtfully, her tail wagging slightly.

"I guess I really lived up to or earned my name, I suppose. Oh, silly me haven't even introduced myself, I'm Roamer of the Beyond. Though most packmates just call me Roamer, and you're welcome to as well." She smiles warmly, before going back to keeping a loving eye watching over the puppies as they splash around.

"It's a bit different than most people here, I know. It's because I wasn't actually born into this pack. Roma came across me as a pup and took me in. I don't. . . I don't actually remember much of past, or where I born before Clockwork. Ultimately I suppose it doesn't matter too much, I consider Clockwork the only home I've ever had. But anyone would have to wonder. Did something happen to my family? Or was I just. . . abandoned?" She stops for a moment, her expression troubled as she looks out over the water. She takes a deep breath and holds it for a moment, before slowly letting it out.

"I don't know, it's like I said, it doesn't matter too much. It doesn't change that I am a part of this pack. All the wolves older than me were taken in, same as I was if you think about it. They were just much older. And I'm grateful to each and every one of them for giving me a home, of course!" She said, smiling softly again.

"Like Storm, she's the one who raised me. She's basically my adoptive mother in this pack, though most of the others in this pack helped raise me. But Storm is the one who inspired to follow in her steps, raising puppies. No matter how stubborn and disobedient they cab be sometimes." She chuckled warmly.

"Auntie Roamer, I'm hungry!" One of the pups called out, sopping wet and stumbling forwards on the slick stones. This prompted the other pups to scramble up, and nod in enthusiastic agreement. Roamer smiled and got up, shaking herself off.

"Alright, alright, it's about time we headed back anyways. come on out and shake off, little ones." She watched each of them bounce and slip out of the water, before turning back to look at you. "Thanks for the company! It was nice to see you around, and I wish you the best."

After bidding you farewell, she makes her way deeper into the trees with four puppies weaving in and out between her legs and yipping nonstop. You watch them go, the sound of excited pups slowly fading, before continuing on your way pleasantly.