@mavicvirim "Gentle..." Velox reminded Iric. The large dog looked up on him like he was rolling his eyes at him where he lay, stomach flat on the floor and head resting on his paws. I know, that look said. You've told me a thousand times. He'd just booped the small plastic ball containing their other furry family member with his big black nose. It made such fun noises when he did. The small brown mouse squeaked and cuttered in curiosity, rolling his little ball against the big furry wall again. Iric got up, watched Little Ari roll around his feet. He stepped here and there, doing his best to not let it touch him. He wasn't supposed to play with this ball. Other balls were fine. Like the mushy one that felt so good against his teeth. That was his favorite one. He'd hid it, dug it down in his bed, no one would be able to find it but him, he was sure. But this ball, his friend with the sharp eyes said, wasn't for playing. He could boop it. He'd gotten away with that almost every time, but only if he was very gentle. Now it rolled away, in under the couch where his friend sat. Iric laid down to watch it in the darkness. He liked watching Little Ari. He smelled funny and always seemed to be moving. Except when he slept. Then he wasn't fun to watch. Then he was boring. Large, wolflike ears perked and turned. There was a sound outside. The car. Iric liked the car too. Things moved fast in the car, they were fun to watch, and sometimes there were treats. Now there was no more car, but footsteps. Oh! He knew those footsteps! Iric jumped up and ran for the door. Sat down to stare at it. Aaaaaany minute now... What was taking him so long? Iric could run to the car and back to the door really fast. It wasn't that far! The steps hit wooden planks and a fluffy tail started wagging. He looked back at his friend in the couch, barked once. There was someone coming! He was coming! The important one! "Thank you!" Velox called back to his excited dog. Iric stretched up, proud. Now his friend knew He was coming home too. The door opened. "Hey, there big guy," Mavic smiled down at him. Iric wanted to jump and show him how happy he was he was here. But the important one didn't like when he jumped on him. He wasn't allowed. So instead he lowered his ears back on his skull and wagged his tail quicker. It earned him a good scratch on his front. Happy to have his entire pack back together, Iric trotted into the room again. Now where had that funny ball rolled off to?
