[PRV] Into the light.

[Meepfur]

Asali'jua was quite used to having a fair number of children to look after - there had been five in her first litter, after all, and six in her second. The seven she now found herself with, however, seemed a touch excessive even to her. She was thankful, though, that four hadn't been hers to give birth to. Those three girls and their brother were the children of the Swamp Goddess.

Gifts. Hungry gifts that she'd be raising alongside her own three daughters, one of whom bore an uncanny resemblance to her lost sister, Swafi. Another looked very like Asali's father, Chuju'mja. They were both sobering reminders of the past, but not bad ones. Not really.

The Queen was just more inclined to sadness lately, having sent her second litter away to find their names with hope that they would fare better than her first. Very soon now, she'd be forced to give funeral rites for four of her children. In light of that, it was understandably difficult to feel truly happy.

Still, today was not a day for brooding. There were seven cubs with open eyes, and they needed names. And so when dawn came, she woke them each with a nudge and rose to shepherd them out of the crowded birthing den for their first journey outside: their journey to the pridal den.  

[Mila Farrell]

The little light brown-gray-child twitches suddenly, baring her teeth in a good-natured, sleepy little yawn as she stretches out, eyes narrowing at the world around her. That 'world' currently features little more than two fluffy paws; the little girl had fallen asleep inbetween her mother's front two paws. But that same world is falling away, and she lets out a little squeak as Asali'jua rises up, sneezing in response.

"Mowr?" She pauses, confused, but resolutely gets to her feet, looking quite anxious that mother is leaving. With a rather terrified little squeak, she flees after Asali, stumbling and almost tripping over her too-large paws. But she manages to stay upright - just barely - and ends up attached like a burr to Asali's right forepaw, taking multiple nervous little steps to each of her mother's large strides.

 

[Hopefolly]

Mto had already been half-awake, yet the nudging demand she become fully awake did not settle well with her. She rose hesitantly, wobbly at first, but in the face of self-interest (aka pride and image) she regained her footing quickly.

They were all awake? Why? She blinked slowly and glanced around, looking curious for perhaps the first time. Mto was rarely one to wonder.