Told "a tight dress is what makes you a whore,"

No one with Elkshire was a mother, and only very few knew the development phrases. She doesn't know (unwilling to admit forgot to ask), when exactly they would appropriately start hearing. At time they only mewled and moved awkwardly, and attempt to find a teat or sought for comfort. They didn't have teeth to even nibble, but at times mistaken other body parts for what would be their milky lunch.

On this night, did the Queen request a particular woman, as her children continued to cry through the night, "@Calliope," an exhausted tone motioned to the outside of the den, "do you know lullabies?"

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Calliope had just been on the precipice of a deep and restful sleep when she heard the Queen’s call. Selfish dread settled in her chest. She’d much rather be sleeping right now so she could wake up and enjoy the early morning as per usual. On the other hand, she was desperate to meet her puppies. She’d heard rumors of some… discomfort… there was something wrong with at least one of them, but had no idea what or which.

And so she brought herself to her paws and slowly walked over to the Queen’s den. Her head poked inside, cautious, tired, but excited.

“Could you repeat that, your highness? A lullaby?”

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"I do not know if they can hear - but they never not cry." How Célnes remembered her younger siblings being the same, yet there was only two for that litter, compared to her eight. Even the other Déorwine woman who held bigger litters could not compare, and thus the crying was even worse then ever. Strangely enough though some rarely made noises, like the one most close to Vengeance, silence as she was, she responded well enough to motherly touches and the occasional movement to a more proper laying, where they could grab with ease.

Yet they always pilled, "do you know any, Woodweaver?"

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Suddenly Calliope smiled. It was the first time she'd laid eyes on puppies, yes, but it was also the first time she'd ever seen Her Royal Highness Célnes ask someone for help. It wasn't sing me a lullaby, woodweaver, or share a poem for me, Calliope, the Queen was asking Calliope for a lullaby. Do you know any? Of course, a bard by nature, the poet had crafted a couple songs for her personal enjoyment, but often preferred the rhythm in the beat of her words, rather than in the form of a tune. Despite this, the Queen had come to her for help, and of course she would provide. After all, she owed her for every meal she ate, and every rock she slept under, in the safety of the Elk's Crown.

"I suppose I could share a short one," she responded, now coming forward into the Queen's den. Calliope took her place before the Queen and gently lay down in front of the puppies.

She sang a gentle lullaby, a poem about the wild greens of the Elk's Crown. About the constant lull of the river washing itself upon the shore, and the misty dew that blanketed the foliage in the early morning. About how it provided such calm and safety to any wolf who was lucky enough to live between the antlers upon the Elk's Crown. For a moment she forgot about whatever could be the issue with the Queen's puppies and simply existed in the moment of song, eyes fixed upon the small forms beneath her as they hopefully were falling asleep.

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Though of course, as they could not hear, they continued to mewl and cry out loudly. It was a pleasant song though, she listened with closed eyes and waited for it to end, though instead - it drew the Queen to a slight slumber. Her head started to slow to the ground, and maybe perhaps as the litter realized their still mother, starting to quiet down into their own slumber.. She was being lulled to sleep by the poetry of Calliope.

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While Calliope was lost in song, she hadn't even realized the Queen asleep before her. So focused on the puppies, determined to make them rest, she stopped only when the last tiny form was unmoving, asleep. A little embarrassed that she'd been oblivious for so long, she turned to Célnes and opened her mouth to speak, only to realize that she was the only one awake in the room. Calliope smiled and for a moment, watched the Queen's breath rise and fall in her chest. She couldn't tell if the Queen was totally asleep or not, but it seemed best to act as if she was and keep very quiet. It was such a soft moment, and while she'd had gentle talks with the Queen before, this felt different. She'd never seen her so unguarded.. and with puppies, no less. Calliope wondered what made Célnes so comfortable around her, but then again, realized she wasn't much of a threat—to be fair, she barely hunted for herself... her thoughts drifted as her own breathing began to slow.

Quickly the poet found herself drowsy, lulling her own self into her own slumber, that had escaped her when Célnes called her name not ten minutes ago. Her head and eyes felt heavy as she rested her chin on her paws.

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