She jumped only slightly when she felt the prickly feeling of Hemlock brushing against her fluffy pelt, morphing her expression from surprise to joy in a matter of only a moment when she realized who he was. The little cubs seemed to be on board with her game, even when the bigger ones were not. She looked at a pale cream boy who asked who would do the seeking, and then to his similar-looking sister who volunteered eagerly to participate. "Hi," she echoed the greeting with a crooked smile. Taj finally appeared then, offering to be the seeker and claiming to be the best.
"You're not the best, Taj; I am," Kallan argued flatly. At this age, who was the best and smartest and bravest was at the forefront of her mind as she went throughout her days as princess of the mire, trying to figure out exactly who she was in the grand scheme of things. "Fine--you seek! Everybody, go!" Kallan squealed and looked over to the other cubs eagerly, her gaze resting upon that of Rhaella as if searching for signs that she was just as excited about the game. Without much more warning, she was racing off in search of the best hiding place. Some were too easy, as they had found in their littermate games, and some of her favorites had already been used on Taj before.

@Hemlock @Rhaella @Taj

It seemed the moment that she opened her timid mouth, the boy she had been trying to talk to skittered away. Perhaps he was more scared than she was being around folks she didn't know all that well. Either way, it certainly set the mood for the moment as she tried to muster her courage back up. Her self-image having washed down into the very mud of the mire, wanting to jump into the other's conversations and games but ultimately found herself stumbling back to her Aunt Talisa. Curling up beside her leg and waiting to go -- she'd regret being the party pooper later but for now, she was already ready to go home. fade exit juliette.

table by ferus, art by dusk

and just like that, it was all so simple and fell so effortlessly into place. cubs would be cubs, after all, and any excuse to play and make some new friends seemed like time and energy well spent. well, at least to rhaella! it did not take her long to settle comfortably into the easy, jovial game with the other children, a laugh bubbling from between her lips as she was sent scurrying out across the mire, intent on finding the very best hiding spot. maua knew that there was enough trees, mud, and foliage around to hide an entire army; and so, hopefully, the princess would not have too many difficulties in her endeavor. so long as she wasn't the first one to be found, she would leave here today in high spirits! exit via playing.

Cassandra Valour

The adults would continue to speak about all sorts of random things. Her cousins would go ahead and start playing with the cubs of Kiton that seemed around their age, and she just... wasn't into doing that. A yawn would escape Cassandra as she aimed to slump against Talisa's shoulder. The trek over to the Mire had been a long one, and she didn't know where her younger cousins got the energy to continue to play after such a long journey. Looking to her mother, the fluffy girl would wait on the Heiress to signal to 'em when they would start on their way home. When they got back, she would definitely be taking a nice long nap to refresh herself after such a long trek to and from the Mire. Hopefully her mama wouldn't expect them to make this trip regularly... At least not while their legs were still so short and they were so young.

"-fade exit Cassandra-"

text. "She speaks." 'She thinks.'

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Talisa would have been happy to spend as little or as much time as possible here in Ecrosia among friends. Pleased to simply have the means of connections to be able to form these sorts of bonds with another pride, seeing as that had been lacking in the last couple years. It was a beautiful change of pace and she was thrilled to simply watch her children and nieces and play with each other in the most wholesome way possible. Allowing herself the opportunity to cuddle those that were tuckered out while keeping an eye on those that were more interested in expending their leftover energy. Once everyone was exhausted and worn, she escorting each of them back to Vermeda. Not without giving a friendly goodbye to her own friend(s) and one to each of the Mire royalties. Hoping that they could do this again soon. exit talisa

manip & table code by k'sariya

The Taur was essentially quite good at this part of parenting. Gareth could make small talk until the deer came home and he had a way with his words that clearly expressed that he could weasel his way into or out of anything. That didn't mean it wasn't true, however, for he was more pleased than he would admit to finally meet @Kiton and put a face to a name. Plus, he got to escort his wife and his very cute children so what could be better than that? One of them, anyways. He gave a sly smile, as he turned to look at @Nymeria with a knowing smile. Even though he didn't express it out loud in any boisterous way, his relationship with the other male was blooming slowly. A certain balance that had worked its way in and settled nicely for he might as well enjoy all there was to his marriage and not force himself to be left out.

So Gareth watched with the other parents as the children played and made conversation with one another. The father would swear up and down that he blacked out for a good ten seconds somewhere in between their playing because before he knew it they were headed home with a few tired kiddos. One's that likely would need a little pick-up halfway home. exit gareth.

table by ferus, art by munk