now comes the tide;

The pup's growl is a throaty rumble in the back of his throat, his hackles erected like a spine along his back. Calm, commands Mbwana, but Askari isn't in the mood to listen. The colt contemplates shifting into a dog so he can put his pup in his place, but decides against it. His ears flicker, trying to detect segments of conversation from the youngsters around him. It's hard, when Askari's growling is a distraction in his ear, but he's determined to find out as much about this strange new place as he possibly can. He assumes the others around here are his father's children; the notion does not bother him. There is no such thing as monogamy in his mind, only dominance, and the alpha males who are strong enough to sire many offspring. Father is one of those males. That's when the antelope-horned colt addresses him, and his words bid Mbwana's ears to pin flat against his skull. He takes a dangerous step forwards, drawing himself up to his full height - even at six months old, it is obvious that Mbwana has size on his side, and thick muscles already lace beneath the tri-coloured hide. He's almost tall enough to look his older, unknown brother in the eye, and he does so with considerable gusto. "You do not tell me what to do." Dominance is etched into every ounce of the youth's features - he might be younger than this other male, but that does not mean he is subservient. In the complex world of canine politics, Mbwana will do everything in his power to become top dog, so he does not take his gaze away from Zubari as he stares the older male down. M B W A N A

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