I've been awake in every state line.

The familiar ache of hunger in Toruviel's belly roused her from slumber, and with a crease to her brow she set about nosing among her mother's furs in search of a food source. She emitted soft little mewls to have located an obstacle (@Arathorn) in her way, though persisted by reaching to scramble over his back.

At last, @Reiko presented a prize to her, and the pallid babe drank her breakfast greedily.


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During their first couple months the mother would always slumber lightly. Waking at the slightest change around her to check on their precious little ones and their surroundings should trouble decide to disturb their well deserved peace.

So when one of the little bundles began to wriggle and cry their mother's eyes fluttered open, quickly pushing the sleep away to check on what was happening. Toruviel was pushing her way through her siblings for another taste at their waning source of milk - one that they wouldn't be completely weaned off yet for a couple more weeks while they got accustomed to the chewed up pieces of meat given to them at scattered times through the day.

Arathorn would be gently moved out of Toruviel's way, and one of their pale daughters would be brought closer for her desired food, and Arathorn placed at his own nipple out of any of his sister's ways.

It was likely she was biased toward their own children, but once more Reiko caught herself gazing down at them. Believing with all her hear that they were the most beautiful puppies she had ever seen along with their previous siblings.

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He returned from his patrol with Yaevinn, parting ways with his yearling son to relieve Reiko for breakfast. The little ones would be awake by now, he knew - the druid knew their routine like clockwork. He quickened his stride, eager to spend a little extra time with his mate before she stepped out to tend to her own needs.

Quicksilver stepped into the warmth with a half-lidded smile for Reiko, and his tail gave a content sweep as his pastel eyes swept over the velvet dorsal of their three cherubs. They lingered a little longer on Toruviel, admiring the unblemished alabaster of her coat. He was still so thrilled that one babe had, at last, favoured her mother's palette.

“She's fiesty, this one,” he commented with amusement as tiny Ru climbed the mountain that was her male littermate, and sat back to observe quietly as the Empress rearranged their brood. “How are we this morning?”


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Her little paws paddled, freeing warm milk into her eager maw. Toruviel suckled noisily, guzzling as much as she could before potential being dislodged - already she'd learned that this source of nectar was not so freely given. She and her siblings grew quickly and recently, each new day presented a new opportunity to be explored.

By the time she ceased suckling, Toruviel was fat and content. She lifted her head and looked up, seeking her mother's gaze, though spotted a familiar silverwhite figure at the corner of her eye. She beamed up at him with a baby smile, happy to see him.


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To think they had missed out on so much with the turmoil over the years. The precious moments like these slipping through their paws like sands in an hourglass. Never to be retrieved and lost to the sands of time blown by the breeze in an arid desert. Perhaps that was why she would never forgive Kuhn and all his associates. For stealing timeless moments she cherished with her family and packmates, lives and times wasted because of his pathetic games.

And though there was no turning back the time to live what was lost; now she would take all the time she needed as it comes. With this newest litter, as well their last and her first to make up for lost time before it was too late for good. Toruviel had a healthy appetite. The palest of her siblings brought by Quicksilver and Reiko wondered if she would look more like an Izuka along with Haruki and Hotaru.

Someone was approaching, and his cologne was enough to bring a smile to her face. Laying down she greeted her husband with a bright smile, a tail bouncing against the ground and bright eyes welcoming him. “Mhm. She has our wandering paws.” Remembering how often the two of them would walk away from their borders, to see one another or even see the world beyond their eyes. “All lively.” She'd stretch out a feline like pose, reaching with a single paw to place hers on his wanting some kind of intimacy even if it was oh so small such as this.

“How is everyone outside the dens? Filavandrel? Vienne? Yaevinn?” She yearned for an update on them all. Family and friends if Quicksilver had any to share before they tagged out.

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While their son and silvered daughter continued to doze, seemingly uninterrupted by the palest girl's alertness, Quicksilver's smile brightened. Little Ru beamed up at him, lovely and with infectious joy in the brightness of her baby blue eyes. She was a vision - her mother's image. He felt so blessed to have each and every one of them.

Reiko reached for him, and he provided. The druid settled to his belly and emitted a crooning note, shifting to touch his nose softly to the Empress' own. To her muzzle he delivered a kiss, then withdrew to look for the cerulean of her gaze. “Yaevinn accompanied me on this morning's patrol,” he informed her, “and Filavandrel said he'd come by with lunch today. Vienne,” he rolled a shoulder at the mention of their snow fairy, “is a free spirit. I'm sure she'll drop by soon.”

He exhaled softly, truly happy. “All is as it should be.”


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To this day she would feel butterflies fluttering wildly as Quicksilver pressed his nose against hers. So much they had gone through. Blood and tears, heartache and loss and yet they remained steadfast and strong as a pair. He, uncertain of his role as Emperor, had done nothing but fantastic as Reiko knew he would. A natural as a father, and kind leader. She couldn't have picked a better partner, and she, was fortunate that he had chosen her in the end.

Returning the cheeky kiss, she'd lick his nose as he did with her. Pallid ears drawn forward to catch his every word. Pride swelled in her chest to hear last year's brood already settling in their roles. Doing more with some guidance of their parents than ever before. Vienne made the mother smile brighter than before. A light, tired laugh echoing in the walls of the fur lined den.

“I taught her of the fairies.” She began. Remembering of the beautiful mother-daughter dance they had shared in the circle of mushrooms. “I told her if she listened, they would guide her when lost.” And for a moment, she wondered... how did Quicksilver feel about such a lesson? Was it naive? Or was it a story meant to help the youth?

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She watched quietly as her parents turned attention from her and to each other, though jealousy did not simmer in the pit of her belly as some pups might feel. Toruviel simply observed, resisting the urge to doze once more now that she'd filled her belly, though her eyelids were suddenly a lot heavier than before.

The girl nestled alongside @Isilmë, content to be warm against a soft thing as she fought a losing battle.


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