Juniper's tail wagged and she whined happily, eager to lunge at Vicktor's face and plant a multitude of doggy kisses all over. She pulled away and yapped, jumping and hopping and spinning in circles in excitement, her tongue lolling out of her mouth.

"Dad!!", she cried happily, jumping for him again and tackling him, tripping over herself with a yelp and tumbling to the ground with a yelp.

She found herself laughing, though, her tail flopping on the ground as she turned to snuggle into Vicktor, eyes watery and full of tears.

"I love you," she said whole-heartedly, her pink eyes bright and alight with joy.

@Vicktor

He purred happily, watching Juniper go in a frenzy of excitement, yapping and hopping in circles all around him. She had called him dad, saw him as her guardian, her father. Warmth welled up in his chest, he was happy. An emotion that was so fleeting in his life here in the caves. Though he focused with a new intensity when she had gone to tackle him in greeting. Only to trip over herself and tumble to the ground yet again, he nuzzled her. Knowing she was most likely fine from such a small tumble, but still silently checking her over. Curling around her in both a comforting and protective stance as he laid beside her.

With eyes shut he gently headbutted her, nuzzling into her fur only to stop for a moment- just a split second at the words that left her maw.

"I love you,"

She said it so whole-heartedly. He did not expect this if he was honest. He had not heard those words in- what felt to be eons it almost startled him. Back when he was just her age, back when he was just a hatchling known as Pounce that was the only time he had heard and felt such a notion. And even then it lasted for such a short time. He had forgotten what it was like to love someone, to have a family, and to care for them. And here she was, his young pup, his daughter, and the tiny pink light of his life.

He smiled, nuzzling her with even more feeling. Purring louder than before with this newfound energy. Perhaps now he could truly have the family he was meant to have.

Juniper was the perfect daughter.

"I love you too, my little Juniper."


"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Juniper

Juniper sneezed excitedly and tucked herself into Vicktor's side, her tail flopping behind her as she struggled to settle down, feeling like doing flips to show her happiness. But she stretched and yawned, her paws spreading out as she flopped down, suddenly exhausted. It was like she was max energy and then zero.

"Gosh... I'm so tired all of a sudden," she said, setting her head down, "Ugh..."

All that running around after that rabbit had tuckered her out.

"What are we doing tomorrow?", she asked, snuggling into Vicktor's side and tucking all her paws in like he was, folding herself up more like a cat than a dog.

@Vicktor

He watched her with half lidded eyes as she yawned and made herself comfortable. Still purring he listened, nodding along gently as yes she must be so very tired after today. It was her first day in this world, and one filled with laughter and emotions galore. No doubt she'd sleep well only to repeat again in the next day he was sure.

"Today was full of many things my little Juniper, I am surprised you are not already sleeping."

He smiled softly, listening to her question on what tomorrow might hold. She snuggled into his side, acting more like a feline that a canine herself but it was so very endearing.

"Well..."

He spoke, humming softly now.

"A nice breakfast, and perhaps make our way home. Home is fairly far from here, we can stop along the way and I can show you the caves and some of what dwells within it."

There was a lot in store for tomorrow he was sure. He wouldn't try to force her to make the trip all the way back to Cetus in just a day. That was too much for some adult gembounds even. Vicktor was quite used to long travel, he'd certainly have enough strength. But with Juniper, they would need to stop and rest with each room. Something he planned on doing anyway, to show and explain to her where they were and what to expect.

"These caves, are a system of rooms and tunnels...some larger than others-but, it shouldn't take too long. You will see Eridanus, Cetus...and maybe even Polaris if all goes well. "

It was a hard maybe on Polaris. He knew they would have to travel through a few tunnels... Both Tunnel I and H, though Eridanus would be a good and well-needed break in between as well as a necessity to reach Tunnel I. Juniper would enjoy the foliage he was sure. And he pondered for a moment...perhaps if she wanted and if he felt it safe enough they would journey into Polaris only for a bit before returning to Cetus. Yes, that was a wonderful plan. One he wouldn't rush, especially not with his child.


"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Juniper

Juniper sighed softly and looked up at Vicktor with pure adoration, her tail continuing to wag happily.

"Home?", she asked, "What's home like? Who's there?"

She listened to him talk of the caves, her eyes wide with wonder. She tilted her head to one side and thought about who they'd meet on their journey. Other gembounds, monsters, rabbits. Maybe she had family in Cetus she didn't know about!

"Do I have a family aside from you?", she asked, and perked up. "Wait... you know a lot about the caves! Can you tell me... can you tell me a story? Please?"

She was so excited all over again, her butt wiggling as she struggled to stay still and remain lying down, but it was hard.

@Vicktor