#jpost

so in my last post i mentioned that pups’ baby scent starts to dissipate around the time of their first soft cycle

soft cycles are non-reproductive hormonal cycles. omegas experience soft heats, betas experience soft cycles, and alphas experience soft ruts. these begin in childhood (typically around ages 7-9), and are usually considered the beginning of puberty.

soft cycles in general

heightened desire for pack physical contact

more emotional sensitivity

increased nesting drive

sensitive to scent

more frequent instinctive vocalizations (e.g. purring, growling/rumbling, chirping, etc)

territorial behavior over spaces or people the pup declares ‘theirs’

in older pups closer to their full cycles, there may be an aversion to older pack mates of opposing dynamics (e.g., omega pups avoiding older alphas, alpha pups avoiding older omegas). betas do not typically experience an aversion to certain dynamics.

in those same older pups, there may be an increased desire to have close friends or members of their own non-family pack in the nest, regardless of dynamic

soft heat

low-grade fever throughout

private nesting in a bedroom or closet is often an early sign of soft heat

pack feels increased protective instinct toward the pup

intense scent marking

territorial behavior includes nuzzling, scent marking, hissing at invaders

more stationary period, i.e., the omega pup will settle into a nest and stay there for the duration of the soft heat

packmates provide food, companionship, entertainment

soft rut

fever spikes on the first day but breaks quickly

public nesting, e.g. on a sofa or near the entrance of the home

oral fixation, urge to bite or chew. it’s common for alpha pups to have a variety of chew toys

restlessness, i.e., the alpha pup will build a nest near the entrance of the home but will often ‘patrol,’ checking in on pack mates to ensure the den is safe

may insist on accompanying pack mates on errands or become distressed if favored pack mates are missing from the home

not just *teaching the younglings* but having to collectively raise them. the saying that goes, "it takes a village to raise a child" is likely how the order operates since no one has 'parents' in the convetional sense. perhaps even part of one's duties and studies during their padawan phase involves a few hours of babysitting in the week - only for them to grow into knighthood and realize that child rearing doesnt exactly end...

now, pls imagine any of your fav jedi in any of the following:

potty training a 2 year old

having to teach them that "no, the temple walls are not to be drawn on..."

having to solve some kiddie drama because some youngling kept calling their peer a 'stinky poodoo head'

"okay bad news, one of them escaped the temple - good news, they can't have gone too far!"

fierce debates about whose parenting style is ruining the younglings

jedi knights snickering at their horrendously awkward friend with no parental instinct barely keep the peace when they're on youngling duty

"I don't care what Master Fisto lets you do, I say you have to be in bed by 20:00!"