That morning she woke with the undeniable sense that it was time. Peering at the still slumbering babes she knew they did not look any older than yesterday, but today marked a month and thus she could no longer keep them tucked away in the den. Nor did she particularly want to.

Not only had they grown and become decidedly more rambunctious, Asteria was keen to introduce them to the adventures of the world. There was so much to see and learn and the jungle was a treasure trove of nooks and crannies to explore. With watchful eyes, of course.

Seeking to rouse them with gentle touches and whispered urgings Asteria moved to the mouth of the den, casting a look back at @Prometheus as she did so. With him she sought to share a knowing look, hoping that he was just as excited as she was. “Come now, darlings,” she murmured once her gaze slipped to the waking bodies, “come and see your home.”

There was so much more than one cozy little den.

stepping outside she chuffed for the rest, for any that wished to be there when the babes made their mark on the world. Asteria wanted them all to know and love her children just as much as she did.

@Centurion @Della @Daneri @Prometheus @Beetle @Spider @Aphid @circini @Nazonal @Hiccup @Sparrow @Adrien
---
; anywhere with you, I'll call my home

image to riot + code to pine

What was this? Mother called them forth but she was not sure for what. Everything seemed different, felt different. Liquid silver eyes hovered on the form that she mirrored as legs trotted forward. Their jungle family had expanded, though not by their father. Not who rightfully should share space with them, though she hadn't yet learnt this.

Naive to the changes, she came as bidded, with a smile on her pink tinged lips. Charcoal body sought to press against her mother's, stripes in all the same places. Even her mop of hair with ruddy locks mimicked @Asteria's. "Hey Momma." Peering around, no one else seemed to be here yet. Maybe they hadn't yet emerged from the den.

Quizzical expression looked up into the depths of her mother's face, questioning why she called. Somewhere above Mango perched, calling out as he observed from afar. Little did they know the family had gained not only new siblings but a new father as well, someone completely different from Hiccup.

Nazonal hadn't experienced this little of stage of children since her fathers had theirs. And Nazonal has grown much since then. Their heart was near to bursting thinking about the little things stashed away in the den. Their brain was ravaged with worry for them in alternating beats.... She diligently took to patrolling. It worked off the extra energy and kept up Naz's own assurance that things were okay.

As today they walked they heard Asteria's voice and immediately their gait shifted. Speeding up and aligning towards the den. Eagerly excited to officially welcome the brood and to be an extra set of eyes on today's all important "outing".

ART BY KIM, CODE BY LARS

He's been waiting for this.

It's his moment, he can feel it!

For the last several days the young Frei's curiosity demanded more. Yet every time the chunky plum fluffball tried making his way for the dens opening - someone was always there to pull him back. (How rude.)

Centurion was not above being dramatic every time they did either, mewling and wriggling about as if the world was ending for denying him this freedom. (Help, help! I've been taken!)

But today is different.

@Asteria rouses them and with a proper harumph Centurion rolls over and stretches, yawning wide. Protesting with a small grumble as he tries to bury himself back into the pile with his sisters. There's only soooo much interesting about some dirt walls mom, did he really have to be awake for this?

Only when his mother moves further away, does he seem to wake up alert and curious. Instead of being ushered to remaining in the confines of the den, Mutti is inviting them out- gasp - (is this a trick?) It must be a trick. His bright magenta eyes narrow scrupulously, looking to @Daneri and @Della briefly before realizing this was in fact - the real thing.

So naturally he does what any brother would do - he tries to clamor atop of his sisters and push them back so that he might be the first to gloriously bear witness to the outside world! A little grin set upon his face as he toddles forwards, peeking out at first before seeing both @Spider and @Nazonal there too. Instantly he perks up even more and tries to launch himself at Naz's front paw to play.

"."

.

code by corvus

Oh no he didn't.

Della was roused with less of a grump than her brother, bright eyes peering out at the dark walls of the den from her decidedly cozy pile. Mama's words were nearly misheard as she gave a mighty big yawn (for a little gal) and attempted to extract herself from the tangle of legs and paws.

With a shake of her fluffy fur she realized that @Centurion was already on the move, and oh that just wouldn't do! Della was going to be the first one out of here if it was the very last thing she did. Reaching out a paw to poke @Daneri she flashed her twin a knowing grin, hoping to pull her in on the nefarious plans she was brewing.

A huffing sort of growl escaped her as she attempted to wrangled her too-big paws in to some semblance of order, scooting after her brother as he followed Mama out of the den. Even as he's trying to attack @Nazonal's paws Della is attempting to attack his rear end and stop him in his tracks, both forepaws aimed to sink baby claws in to his rump. Blissfully unaware of the audience that had gathered to see the children emerge.

Take THAT.

image to kim + code to pine

There would have to be a lot more rousing for one such child for the faint idea of moving out to wake her. Sleeping was a priority here in the jungle where she could find warmth, security and all the things she could ever want to destroy were in her dreams. At least, they were right now. With only the den as her experience in this world she did not have a whole lot on her resume -- but she would.

It was one such abomination of @Centurion's paws on the top of her head that gave her a startling wake up. Body movements too slow out of her fog to reach up and snap at it, but she did try but was a few too many seconds too late. Then the all too subtle poke of @Della as she blinked her hazy gaze to her mirror twin before recognizing something was afoot.

@Asteria had left the den -- she had left the den! With a blink of surprise did she cast her sister one last look before she began to scramble to her paws. Falling over a little in the process. Only as her siblings had left and mother had left, did she take a moment within the shadow of home as she set her eyes on her brother's big, fat plump booty.

The motion took a while as she began to store energy in her body and she instinctively put herself into a crouch in the shadows, before launching herself on the right side of his rear-end. Baby teeth attempting to latch onto her leg while her front paws pushed into the jungle's grass and dirt to give her a little more wiggle room.

Of course, tunnel vision on a child was not all that surprising so she had yet to notice her older sibling @Spider or even their leader @Nazonal standing nearby. Oops! Don't you two worry though, you'll have your chance to be bitten by the twins too! Tons of time still left.

^{ART BY KIM, CODE BY CALA}

Aphid, never one to simply walk anywhere; bursts rather dramatically upon the scene with an excited giggle. Sliding affectionately up alongside @Asteria, she aims a bubbling smooch to her dear mothers cheek before her mismatched gaze discovers the reason for the gathering. "Hey, little brother!" she exclaims with a happy beam to @Centurion, pacing around to sit with jittery poise nearby @Nazonal.

"You be nice to Naz now - naughty boy!" and a mahogany set of toes would seek to reach out and prod rather firmly at the child - though near as she did, his two little sisters came tearing out to return the favor, their little teeth and claws endeavored straight for his behind. "Goodness," she remarked with a girly grin, looking between her family members, "Were @Spider and I this wild once?"

Ha! It seemed Aphid was mostly oblivious to her own enthusiasm, the sporty and energetic girl spared any judgement upon herself.

_{art by cush —}

He'd be lying to say he hadn't been worried for some days after the birth of the cubs. And burying little Caela had been difficult; but with two healthy girls and a strong boy it was not hard to find the joy in it all. Although he had yet to be formally introduced to @Asteria's other children, more than once the titan was witness to their comings and goings. Quietly he lumbers from the den, Cerulean gaze ringed in coal falling over @Spider warmly before he nods respectively to @Nazonal. It's not long before Centurion, @Della and @Danari are wrestling their way to the front and he cannot help but sigh and shake his head. »I did not think it was possible to turn more gray,« Rome scoffs towards Asteria with a smirk. But they'll do it for sure. So adventurous and vibrant - it's hard not to simply swoop down and usher them back to the safety of the den. @Aphid, much like the cubs is prancing about and for a moment he stares perplexed; reminded of his mates own youthful prancing once upon a time...

image to kite + code to pine

The tigress's arrival had not been a planned one, for when she caught the scent of the band leader and trailed after it to give greetings the large woman happened upon quite the busy sight. Two cubs, mirror images of one another, and one who stuck out in comparison to them who all seemed to be attempting to inflict violence one way or another. Their tiny, precious forms stopped the giant in her tracks, and she would stand there for a few moments, watching without a single breath. Silently, Briar struggled not to begin choking on tears, memories of Pine's own tiny form bumbling around sending her reminders of how her own cub was no longer here to play, no longer here for her to care for.

Perhaps, this band was an opportunity, for as the plum woman came to her senses and took a deep breath, she slowly began to crack a wide smile, Well hello everyone, guess I'm meeting lots of you all at once today. She said, awkwardly, doing her best not to keep staring at the tiny feral children. Amethyst gaze turned towards the Secondstone guardian, giving a dip of her head in respect, @Nazonal, nice to see you again.

@Asteria @Della @Centurion @Daneri @Aphid @Spider @Prometheus

art (c) rabbit

@Spider is there, and the mother has a warm smile for her adventurous daughter. "They're big now," she says warmly, as she nuzzles up against the big sister, "I imagine they'll be just as much trouble as you." This was teasing, of course, with warmth infusing her voice.

@Nazonal joins them, the silent watcher, and Asteria has an equally warm smile for her. "Ready to be run off your paws?" More teasing, though she had a feeling this group was going to keep them busy!

One, two, three -- they emerge as enthusiastically as she had expected them to, though the twins seem more intent on attacking their brother than checking out the world around them. Single-minded focus and all that; she was certain they would realize the audience soon enough. Della and @Daneri, meanwhile, seem determined to interrupt @Centurion's attack on Naz.

Rambunctious @Aphid joins them and Asteria laughs. "Definitely so," she teased, having seen some similarities already between the twins especially and their big sister. There is a little more ease with this newest litter, though, and Asteria hates to think of the losses that her eldest children had gone through that had dimmed some of that light.

@Prometheus emerges after the last of the trio and she reaches out a paw towards his mane, plucking a hair from it as she teased -- "looks like it is possible." Attempting to tuck the hair out of sight before he noticed that it was very clearly still black.

Before she can lead the children any further -- and really did she want to? maybe this was far enough for today? -- they are joined by an unfamiliar face. "Oh hello." They knew Naz, which was enough for Asteria. "I'm Asteria," she offered, "and this is Centurion, Della and Daneri," gesturing to each in turn, not realizing that she had already managed to mix up the twins... oops.

@Briar
---
; anywhere with you, I'll call my home

image to riot + code to pine