Hard to choose

Writers: Emma, Paula
Date Posted: 18th January 2006

Characters: Aivorn, Miranek
Description: Aivorn shows puppies to Miranek and sons who choose one for themselves.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 3

Aivorn looked the two boys. "Remember," he said. "The pups were born three days ago and they are really small and helpless. The mom is also bit nervous. So, I want you two act very quiet and calmly. Can you do that? No shouting, no sudden movements."

"Yes Sir," they both chorused enthusiastically. Valnek looked back at his father for a moment, wanting encouragement, which Miranek granted with a smile. He let go the boy's hand, and gently encouraged him toward the basket.

The canine was nursing five cubs. Two of them were golden yellow like their mam, two brown and one was brown with black markings. "Let the pups eat first. Give these to the mam and let her sniff you," Aivorn handed the two boys few pieces of dried meat. The canine mother actually growled a bit, nervous with all these strangers.

The two boys seemed a little awestruck. The puppies were so small. Valnek clutched the piece of meat in his hand waiting for the pups to stop squirming.

"They are very cute," said Miranek. "I think they might have a hard time choosing."

"Yes, most likely," Aivorn chuckled and picked up the brown-black pup. "I just wish I knew where he got his colour." He scratched the pup's belly. It licked his fingers. The master beastcrafter felt almost tempted to keep the pup for himself. Aishara would love it.

By now the boys were looking at the pups. Ranval had dared to reach out and pet one of the brown ones, but Valnek was looking at the golden haired one.
"I think they're going to argue. I told them just one."

"Have you thought about the gender? Both browns are girls, the yellows are boy and girl and this one is boy," Aívorn asked and placed the odd-coloured one back among his siblings.

"Which is easier to train?" asked the healer. "I have to confess to knowing very little about canines."

"Females, they are usually gentler and they don't try to become the leader of the pack like young males. But with them is the little matter of becoming in heat twice a turn. And if you don't pay attention to it, you end up with a litter of pups," Aivorn told.

"Which is better? A leader or more pups?"

"That's up to you. But I don't recommed letting your canine dominate you. That just leads to problems."

Miranek laughed. "How about we just see if they choose one first?"

"That might be wise. They just might want all of them," Aivorn actually smiled.

"I can just see my wife's face if they did that!"

"She wouldn't be pleased," Aivorn agreed, remembering his own reaction when Aishara had wanted to keep a baby lamb as a pet.

"Well maybe they will both like the same one." As Miranek said that, Valnek came over.

"Da! We like this one!" The child grabbed his father's hand and pulled him over to look at one of the golden haired ones. "This one," he said.

Aivorn picked up the pup to check it's gender. "Ah, the girl. I write down you have reserved her."

"Thank you," piped up Valnek, his words soon echoed by the elder boy. "When, when can we take her home?" asked Ranval.

"You still have to wait for eight sevendays. That's two months. Meanwhile you can visit her and you must think a name for her," Aivorn told.

"It's such a long time," said the five turn old.

"Yes, it is," Aivorn croutched to talk with the boy. "But you must think of the puppy. She's still a baby. She have to grow up old enough to be separated from her mam. What would you feel if some total stranger would come and take you away from your mam and dad, and take you some new place and tell you this is your home now? Wouldn't you be awfully lonely?"

Valnek nodded, "I'd miss my Da, and Mama too."

"That's right. So would the puppy miss her Mam. But you can still be her friend while she grows up."

"Really?" Valnek sounded a little more enthusiastic at that.

"Yes, really," the master beastcrafter assured him.

"DA!" shouted the lad. "We can come back and see her again!"

"Not so loud," cautioned his father. "Master Aivorn will tell you when you can come back."

"Your dad is right. Now we better leave so the pups can get to sleep."

"Can we give her a name?" asked Ranval. The boy looked at his father and brother, "I like Goldie."

"Me too," jumped in Valnek, not wanting to be outdone.

"Goldie it is," said their father. He glanced at Aivorn, "Can you note that down as well?"

"Sure, " the beastcrafter promised.

"We'll be back soon," said Valnek, with one last glance at the pup.

Last updated on the January 18th 2006

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Hard to choose