Cassa Di ⭐

Names meaning wolf's defender; warrior. supplier.

Oct 10, 2020.. Somewhere in District 11..

Coalchaser had been chosen by the great Matsu to represent his district in the first annual Pupper Games.  A true test of a sire's ability to produce the hardiest of pups, the best of the best.  Throughout the day, Coal has explored far and wide, from the luscious Taiga down through the Coniferous Forest, through the Prairie and even moved his Pack to the Desert.  From there, he headed to the Swamp to do some soul-searching.  It was there he stumbled upon a Friendly wolf foraging in the murky waters. 

From the moment he saw her, he knew she was the one who should birth his pups.. she was wise and agile.. but if she would only be so lucky as to take him.. perhaps a gift of an elk heart might get her in the mood?

October 11, 2020.. District 11..

Coal has pondered all night.. the mysterious lady had agreed to come back to meet his pack.  She was so shy, she had barely barked a word last night.. When he and his mate, Cotton Candy, snuggled in their cave for the night, Candy had told him she saw it too.. there was just "something* about this wolf that felt like it was meant to be.

Sunrise came before Coal knew it.  He stretched big, bowing and rolling over to nudge Candy with his nose.  He always let her know when he was heading out for the day.  Candy licked his nose, then curled back up, tucking her nose underneath her tail and drifting back to sleep.

First on the day's agenda is to rid his new territory of some snakes, especially before his tribute pup is born.  It wouldn't do any good for one of the pups to wander off and be bitten by one of the venomous buggers.  After a few hours of patrol, he had only managed to fine one.  Time to head to the Grove and see if he could perhaps barter a fresh elk heart for the mysterious shewolf.  Once his selection was made, he carefully carried it back to his cave.

When he arrived home, the first thing he saw was his mama Delilah and the shewolf hanging out with a couple of his pups.  Mama likes her too.. that's always a good sign.  Suddenly nervous, Coal hesitates for a moment then trots over to the pair.  The pups scatter, running off to join the others.  Everyone seems to have gathered around them for the moment.  Brighid had just returned from foraging, as had Rumor and Scout from exploring new territories.

Coal whines, setting down the elk heart at the shewolf's paws. He bows playfully, watching as she looks at his generous offering.  Finally, she told him (and everyone) her name: Cassandra Diana.  "How fitting," Coal thought.. a name meaning supplier, warrior, wolf's defender.  Cass lays down, holding the heart with her paws and tearing off a small bite.  Coal joins her, licking at her mouth at first, then grooming her ear are she eats.

Once finished, Coal asks her to join him on a walk.  She agrees and they set off exploring the cactus fields just beyond their caves.  He tells her of the Pupper Games.. about what an honor it is to be chosen.. about how he felt the moment he saw her.. Cass responds back, telling him that it must be fate - for she never had explored that deeply into the swamp before, yet something that day had told her to press on despite fatigue setting in.  Then when she saw him, she felt reinvigorated and the exhaustion was forgotten.

Cass agrees to mate with Coal.. for one of their pups to represent not only their pack, but the entire District 11 in the Pupper Games.  Once the deed is done, they head back to rejoin the pack.. and to share the good news.  Winter is coming and in just a few short weeks, 3 puppies would join the pack. 

Oct 12, 2020.. District 11.. 

In the rear of their cave, Cass circles, pawing and nudging the herbs & feathers until they are *just* right.  Coal watches anxiously as she starts to lay down, then gets back up again to adjust the foliage.  Nesting was serious business.  There was a lot of pressure on her to ensure a safe birth of her pups - Coal, the scouts, & even herbalist Brighid had been working hard to bring back an exuberant amount of luscious feathers and plants.  The whole pack seems to be on edge - this is a huge honor.  The adols are jealous, all yipping about how they hope one day *their* pup is chosen for the Games.

Once Cass has settled in, mama Delilah starts herding the pack out of the cave, insisting that she needs her rest.  Coal tries to stay behind, but mama nips at his nose.  He might be the alpha, but even he knows not to mess with his mama when she means business.  With a final lick to her mouth, Coal departs, leaving Cass to birth his pups in peace.

District 11..

It was early morning when the pups came.  First the largest, a strong pale male.. then came the second, a female.. finally, the last pup, a runt, made his debut into the world.  The scrappy runt somehow was the first to nurse.  Because of this, it was decided he must have the most fight in him.. He would be the one to represent District 11 in the Pupper Games.  Coal dubbed him Pupper of the Corn 🌽 - he shall make his District proud.