backstory- Ayla-Tulay, her growing decisions

Watching Ayla carry the squirrel in her mouth was cute, but how long could she carry it before getting worn out. Afterall she didn't have the stamina that Tullia had.

"Would you like a satchel to carry it in?" ask Tullia "We have a ways to go before we stop for a rest"

Tullia was planning to stop at a stream or other source of water for the night so they could have a nice drink before the long day tomorrow.
She had purchased some leather water skins in case Ayla got thirsty but hadn't filled them yet.

Ayla Nodded her head. *that would be wonderful* she thought.

She was having a good time being with Tullia it was as if Tullia was 'the mom she never had' in a sense.
she enjoyed the company and the new scenery. she aso enjoyed the sense of pride in herself she was begining to get at knowing that was she was doing was being done properly.

After getting the small satchel from Tullia to carry her squirrel in she placed the squirrel in her satchel and then put the satchel on herself.

"i look like you now" she smiled at realizing she had a satchel like Tullia,

she looked around and smiled as the light shown through the leaves in the trees. the colour of the rays changing slightly depending on where it was shining through at as dusk was quickly approaching the two.

As the sun set the temperature dropped, the brisk autumn air felt wonderful to Tullia. She was happy that summer had finally ended and the cooler seasons were upon them.
Ayla was happy to have a satchel of her own, Tullia was happy that this little pup calmed her and may eventually save her from insanity.

They soon reach a stream and Tullia unharnessed her packs and took out the water skins to fill. First she lapped up some of the cool crisp water to ensure it was safe as it looked clear and smelled clean.

"Drink up, this water is nice and clean." said Tullia filling the water skins before laying down under a tree yawning.

Ayla smiled and set down her satchel next to Tullia's things.

she began to drink some of the water until she was no longer thirsty from their long walk.

as the sun was setting she became tired she walked over and lay down beside Tullia. she yawned and a small squeak had come out when she had done so. it made her laugh.

she laid her head down on her paws and curled up her mane now in her face and her silky tail covering her feet almost as if it were a blanket.
she was tired and slowly began to fall asleep with Tullia's company and protection. knowing she was there made the small lai feel safe and wanted.

Soon after Ayla fell to sleep so did Tullia. Being a light sleeper any noise out of the ordinary woke Tullia, she rather be woken every hour than be ambushed.
Morning came quickly, being woken by a bird landing on her horns Tullia shook out her fur and stretch with a yawn. Ayla lay curled up asleep still so Tullia groomed herself then ate some of the food from her bags.

"Its time to get up, we have to go soon" said Tullia nudging the pup for a moment.

Putting on her mask and harness, Tullia then drank from the stream before laying out some of the fruits for Ayla.

ayla felt the slight nudge from Tullia and woke up with a yawn and a stretch.

she walked over to the stream and took a drink from it. after she was done drinking she sat down and ate the fruits that Tullia had laid out in front of her. she brushed her mane out of her way with a paw and combed through it to make it look all pretty. she combed through her tail as well trying to get all the leaves out of it. she felt the need to clean up a pit more and make her fur look all pretty so she took some of the water and groomed herself a little more. taking pride in her colours and her mane.

she then walked over to pick up her satchel and the squirrel that she had killed the other day. she looked in her satchel and her squirrel was gone. she had a sad look on her face at its odd disappearance.

"maybe it wasn't dead? or maybe somebody took it?" she said looking at Tullia. "must mean that i just get another change to prove myself." she picked up some of the fruits that were left out for her and began placing them in her satchel so she felt useful.

As Ayla got ready to go, Tullia look up at the skies. The weather was sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Hopefully they could cover a lot of ground today, as Tullia had plenty of rest, enough to carry Ayla through most of the night. They would stay near Maia and the Willow River, there Ayla would learn to hunt and fish. Hopefully nobody would recognize Tullia as being a Darkblood... she often hid in the shadows and was never seen by those she had attacked. Looking at Ayla getting her satchel on, Tullia noticed she had already grown a bit, her mane especially. Ayla then noticed her kill had gone missing, and asked Tullia about it.

"I didn't hear anything last night, it might have been alive... you will have plenty of chances to hunt when we get to the Willow River" said Tullia
Tullia check her gear for a moment ensuring everything was there and they had not forgotten anything before stepping forward a bit.

"Come along, we should be going" said Tullia walking off.

The trees were changing colors, the slight breeze made the branches sway around. A little foliage rain down softly, autumn had just begun so not many leaves were on the ground yet.

Ayla nodded "okay" she said as she followed Tullia.

she began to growl lightly under her breath "stupid mane, why you gotta be so long" D: she flipped her head trying to make it stay out of her face so that she could see where she was going. she trotted up next to Tullia and tried to keep pace.

she loved that the leaves on the trees where starting to change colours. and still watched as the rays of light danced through the trees.

Coming across familiar trails, Tullia follow them at a swift pace building Ayla's stamina for long journeys. The pup kept up for the most part, but had to be carried when either she became too tired or over rough terrain. Often taking paths off the road to avoid encounters with other travelers, these trails were rugged and littered with large rocks.

Nearly two weeks had passed before they came to the city of Maia. Tullia pick up some dried goods as she was intending to hunt in the rich Willow River area.

"Pick out some fruit Ayla" said Tullia looking down to the shy pup standing beneath her. Using her teeth she got some coins from her satchel and gave to Ayla to spend.
"Go ahead and get whatever you would like" said Tullia nudging the pup along with slight affection. Ayla had to learn to be able to make purchases.

Ayla placed the coins that tullia gave her into her satchel. she wandered around the market for a little bit seeing some fruits and some meats she would have liked to get.

she approached a cart and asked the man running the stand if she could buy some of the dried meats and fresh fruits that he was selling.
taking the money out of her satchel she placed it up for the man and placed the purchased items in her satchel.

she walked over to another cart and purchased some more dried meats. As Ayla continued to look around she saw a Jewelry cart. she saw the pretty shining bands and rings and necklaces. they looked so pretty. she looked to see how many coins she had left and sadly she did not have the coins for the two gold bands she wanted to use to hold her hair out of her face.

she wandered back to fins Tullia her satchel full of meats and fruits. "i have a full satchel and still some coins left." she said. she looked around and found some ribbon lying on the ground she ran over and picked it up tying her mane back out of her face in two sort of loose pony tails. one for her bangs and one for the back. she then walked back to Tullia again looking more proud now that she could see properly without worry.

Tullia watch over Ayla as she went to each vendor. Lingering at the jewelry stall, Ayla walk back to her with slight disappointment returning the coins she had left over. Running off Ayla found a ribbon and managed to tie her mane up a bit.
Tullia led her off a bit to a nice shady alleyway to eat lunch.

"Stay here for a moment, I will be back" said Tullia heading off towards the marketplace again.
It wasn't too long before she returned.

"Are you ready to head to the river?" ask Tullia ready to leave.

Ayla stayed there as Tullia had asked.

as Tullia returned Ayla stood up and nodded "yes, we should go. i know you have much to show me and we still have a long was to go." she said as she turned and waited for Tullia.

"had you forgotten something back in the marketplace?" she said questioningly but not really concerning herself too much.

Ayla question her going back to the marketplace. Tullia walk along with Ayla out of the city.

"Hmm, it was nothing. Just thanking the merchants for being so kind to you." said Tullia

The river wasn't too far away but Tullia insisted on heading downstream away from the city. Walking along the river, the setting sun glimmering in the slow and steady river.
The waters of the Willow River were calm at most points except near falls. Tullia had her favorite spot secluded from travelers. There was a bridge to cross at ahead since they needed to get to the other side might as well take it instead of risking a swim with Ayla.

Ayla nodded at Tullias response. she continued to walk with Tullia as the headed toward the bridge. Ayla liked the sounds of the water and the sun glinting off of it. she walked along the rivers edge being careful not to slip and fall in.

once they had reached the bridge and had crossed Ayla looked around.it seemed to be getting darker. she was alright with the night though. she was with Tullia and she did not fear the things that could be out there with her by her side.

"where shall we rest for the night?" Ayla asked. "or are we going to continue this night?"

"It won't be long before we get to a nice place where the waters are calm and there are no travelers" said Tullia trotting downriver swiftly.
"If we hurry we can get to sleep and wake up early to hunt deer in the forest around the Willow Rivers." said Tullia listening to see if Ayla is keeping up.

Over the weeks Ayla had gotten stronger, so Tullia often challenged her stamina. Why couldn't all pups come willingly with her she wondered. It was great to have Ayla follow her, it made Tullia hold onto her calm and gentle side, the personality she had before her dark element...

"hey!" she yelled as Tullia had picked up the pace and headed away from her.

Ayla growled lightly under her breath and sprinted towards Tullia trying her best to catch up. her strength and speed had gotten much better since being with Tullia. as she ran to catch up the ribbons in her hair had got caught in a tree and her mane had fallen in her face once again. this only seemed to anger her and make her pick up her pace to get through quickly to where Tullia was headed.

before long she was beside Tullia. she laughed and dodged the trees that passed between them.

"this is fun" she laughed

Tullia smirk as Ayla caught up playfully laughing., her mane wildly flopping around as she ran.
Weaving between the trees effortlessly, her size making it a bit of a challenge. A pup could easily play in the trees, but a grown adult had to dodge the branches.

She wouldn't admit she was having fun, the best you could get from Tullia was a smile.
Slowing a bit they came to a clearing, Tullia stood panting for a moment to catch her breath before walking to the river bank.

"We are here" she said to Ayla before drinking from the river.

Ayla slowed to a stop and walked over to the river to drink. "good, i wasn't sure how much longer it would have been before i had started to fall behind again. keeping that pace is proving to be a challenge but one i will accept none-the-less." she smiled and took another drink her mane floating in the water beside her face.

she walked over by a tree and lay her satchel down. she checked to make sure nothing had fallen out. she was in luck, everything was there.

she layed down under the tree. listening as the wind blew through the leaves her eyes closed. she liked it here. it was much better than living in the city. she felt more alive than ever and wanted nothing more than to stay there with Tullia.

Tullia took off her harness and satchels laying them by the tree Ayla has chosen. Stretching a bit before curling up beside her, Tullia listen for a while ensuring nobody was nearby before falling to sleep.

Before the sun even peaked over the horizon Tullia was up, waking Ayla soon after to prepare for the hunt.
Tullia put on her harness after putting out some foods. Looking at Ayla and her messy mane Tullia sigh and went over to her beginning to groom her.

"You can't hunt if you can't see the prey" Tullia said fixing her mane into one bunch with her claws before reaching into a small satchel and pulling out a golden hair clamp.
It held her mane up in a bundle, the band held tight.

"There you go" said Tullia "Now we are ready to go as soon as you have a bit of breakfast"

Ayla woke up as the sun was just about to rise. she sat as Tullia had groomed her and when she realized she had one of the golden clasps that she had seen at the market the previous day she smiled and hugged Tullia "thank you so much!" she was so happy to have the clasp that Tullia had bought for her.

she was looking forward to this mornings hunt. she was ready to learn whatever it was that Tullia was going to show her.

she sat down once more and began to eat some of the fruits she had bought the other day. making sure not to eat too much.
she didn't want to ruin her first actual hunt after all.

after she was done eating she stood up and looked around the rays of the sun starting to show through the leaves in the canopy.

"when shall we start Miss Tullia?" she said politely waiting for Tullia's guidance.

Tullia smile as Ayla thank her for the golden clasp. They ate a light breakfast so they wouldn't be too hungry during the hunt. Ayla was soon ready to go, Tullia led her off.

"Just remember to walk as silently as you can but still keep pace" said Tullia as she walk near silently.

As they walk further into the forest the trees became larger and denser. Little sun made its way down through the spruce trees, but enough to light up the forest floor.
It wasn't too long before Tullia heard the sounds of a turkey. Birds such as turkeys, ducks, and geese were common in this boreal forest especially near the river and lakes.
Ayla stop as Tullia stop and waited a moment. Before slowly walking over near some mossy stones and bushes, motioning Ayla over to see the turkey feeding on some berries.

Tullia motion to Ayla to go for it.

Ayla wandered around as silently as she could following Tullia winding through the dense trees.

She paused a moment as they stopped and Tullia walked over to some mossy stones and bushes.Tullia motioned for Ayla to go for the turkey.

Ayla studies the turkeys movements for a little while determining the precise moment to attack. when she had found it she silently crept up on the turkey close enough that she could pounce. she jumped at it her claws extended and her jaws open to grab its neck.

she had caught its feet and bit its tail feathers. the turkey started to flap its wings visciously in her face."ahh~" she screamed as she opened her jaws and backed up. not realizing she had let the turkey go. it continued to flap its wings at her for a moment and then quickly took off the other direction.

Ayla was not pleased. she growled and roared as she jumped over the bushes and chased after the turkey. winding through the trees she had caught up to it in a matter of moments and lept once more. she missed and continued to follow it making it turn and head back towards where Tullia was waiting. she tried again to leap at it and keep it down. this time her paws had pinned it by the winds. she grabbed its neck and gave a quick twist breaking it. the turkey had stopped moving.

she brought it back to Tullia and laid it down in front of her. she stood proudly. this time she knew her prey was dead.

Watching the energetic pup chase around the turkey was amusing. As Ayla snap her preys neck she carry it back to Tullia proudly. Tullia was a bit disappointed in this display, but tried not to be so harsh with her as it was only her second time.

"Hmm, very good but you should work on your pounce. You want to make a kill within seconds rather than waste energy chasing the prey." said Tullia taking the turkey and putting it within the satchel on her harness before walking away.
"Come along" she said "Oh and next time do not yell and release, hold on tight until its dead."

The rest of the morning they look for prey but none was to be found. Ayla must have scared everything off with her scream.
Tullia had to be hard on Ayla, hunting was a serious matter. If a shinlai couldn't hunt, they would easily starve. Tullia could never afford enough purchased food to feed herself, over the month with Ayla she had not eaten much and it was beginning to show. Allowing the pup to have nearly all the food in order for her to grow.

Back along the river banks at the makeshift camp Tullia lay under the tree as Ayla carry her prey off to eat it. Insisting the pup have it all.
Perhaps they could fish thought Tullia looking into the river watching the fish in the crystal clear waters. They dart along the bottom near the river stones, shiny and delicious looking.

Ayla started to carry off the prey she looked back and then took the turkey back to Tullia. "i must insist that you have this." she said sternly. "i still have some fruits and dried meats left in my satchel." she walked away and took out a few of the fruits and began to eat.