code (c) daanyen

Summer was hitting the Brook with a vengeance it seemed,.though most of Amaryllis was overly hot right now less you were in a stream or under a shade tree, or perhaps hidden under the ground like moles and other burrowing critters.

It was this reason Lorelei stuck mainly to her and Temero's den, or she had even taken to laying in the Brook, relishing the cool water flowing over her long coat, she never minded her pretty curls and waves until summer came sweltering in. Today was one of those moments, she'd came out before dawn when the air was still cool, shed collected some herbs and some things for herself, shed chose to follow her mother in laws footsteps, at least somewhat, beginning to dabble in poisons, and she was a quick learner.

After she'd garnered a good enough cache for the day, she'd stored them in her old den, some she laid out in the sun to dry up for later use, and then she went to patrol, after she finished that, it was later in the morning, closer to afternoon and the sun was already making things feel uncomfortable. The strawberry lioness shook the mugginess from her coat, or tried to, and when that didn't work, she hurried to the Brook, dipping her paws in first before moving farther out and lowering herself, relaxing in the cool water for a time.

@Arcania ♔

×ARCANIA×

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She loved Priscila and Rio, truly she did. The rest of the family might not think as much of them, small and spotted as they were, but she didn't share that opinion. She was, instead, concerned how they would fare with the rest of the family once they were a bit older and were more able to run around the pride and beyond, but she tried to be careful to keep that from them. Instead, she spent as much time with them as she could, determined to shelter them from the rest of the pride as long as she could. Which was easy enough to do for now since the family seemed to be occupied by other things.

Every once in a while, though, she needed an escape from the chaos the two of them spawned, a break from the pitter patter of tiny paws and the needling of little claws and fangs. So she escaped from the den, still able to leave them behind if they tried to follow simply by nature of her longer stride. Eventually, she wouldn't be able to do that.

She headed deeper into the pride's lands not with any real purpose but simply because it was easiest. That and if the little leopons were persistent in following her, they wouldn't meander out of the pride after her. She didn't think she had to worry about that, not really hearing anything behind her, but it was always wise to think of such things. What she did hear was something, someone, ahead of her in the brook, and she kept going just to see who it was and what they might be up to. As it turned out, it was her daughter-in-law to be, lounging in the middle of the water. An amused sound left Arcania as she regarded @Lorelei. I used to do that when I lived in the Oasis, she admitted. Maybe it was her recent motherhood, or her older age, but she was becoming increasingly more willing to share things these days.

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art by drifty ♡︎ code by scorpixia

code (c) daanyen

Shed gotten very comfortable in the stream, letting her guard down, so she doesn't hear her Mother-In-Law until she makes an amused sound and speaks, the strawberry lioness eyes fly open and she looks back towards the woman, her gaze relaxing as her muscles follow suit. A small chuckle leaves her as she shifts to face the woman, "It's the only reprieve from this heat .. other than night of course."" Dual toned eyes watch the woman, she had just had cubs recently, as told by her husband. How have you been? And the cubs?" She would ask, curious, though her curiousity wasn't just because of the new mother and her children.

No, her curiousity was what she'd had on her mind since her mother had pressured her about her plans now that she was married to Temero. Cubs. Pregnancy. Motherhood. It was new to her, she was understandably interested, uncomfortable, and wary of the process.

She would move a little closer, coming to a spot where it was shallow enough to stand up and sit back on her hindquarters.

×ARCANIA×

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Yes, it does get rather warm, doesn't it, she agreed. She still preferred it to the Bluffs, simply because there was water to cool off in here, and also, muggy as it was, at least there was shade and she didn't have to bask in the sun every time she stepped out of her den.

She raised a brow at the question, taking a seat as well. It was clear they were going to be conversing, so she might as well be comfortable while they did. We are well, she replied, though it wasn't like she'd admit to it if she wasn't. Maybe not even if her kids weren't. That would be showing weakness, wouldn't it? They grow quickly. Though not as big as she would have expected. No doubt that had something to do with their father's size. She supposed she ought to have foreseen that, but she honestly wasn't concerned by it. Icefang had demanded she have cubs, but she hadn't said how big they had to be, or what kind. It was on her for not specifying.

Speaking of... she mused, regarding @Lorelei with a faintly curious expression, eager to know what the woman's reaction to her statement would be. Icefang no doubt expects Temero to sire many children, being a male of the family. Now, I'm not particularly concerned by how many he has, or with whom, mind, but you should be well aware. Was she already? She wouldn't have been surprised to discover Icefang had already been speaking to her regarding that. She was curious whether Temero would be expected to take multiple wives. Perhaps that would be his choice. The males always were favored. He could say no, though he never had before.

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art by drifty ♡︎ code by scorpixia

code (c) daanyen

A nod is given, it was quite warm this year, she could not imagine how warm it was in the desert or the bluffs, when they'd lived in the Mire, it had been hot and muggy and that was worse than here, her fluffier fur was always poofed and shed had to fight just to get it styled.

Lorelei listens to Arcania speak of her and the cubs, she flicks an ear, That's good, I apologize for not being present vhen they vere born, but I vanted to give you space, I vould think having babies is overvhelming." She didn't know much, but she could assume that bringing new life into the world and then being surrounded and gawked at would be so very suffocating. Her dual toned eyes flick away for a moment, then back again, Plus I thought that maybe it vould be best to let your family and you spend time after vithout interruption." Though, she supposed now, she was family, now that her and Temero had made it official, her eyes drift as her mind wanders, thinking of her husband.

Speaking of...

Her gaze instantly snaps to @Arcania ♔, head cocking just the slightest bit, attention all on her mother in law, her cheeks grow red as the woman continues speaking, she'd been told by her mother what was expected of her, except her mother left out most the details of how and when, annoying as it was, she really didn't want to have that awkward talk with Astarte. Her mother was a good mother, but she was not always the best at filling in the blanks. Lorelei feels her heart race a bit as she fumbles for what to say, I...um... I've moved into his den..." She internally groans and swallows a lump in her throat before inhaling to try and gather a better reply. I von't disappoint you and Icefang, I vill give him many cubs." She bites her lip, before remembering something, Large litters run in my family, both my mother's litters vere large, and male cubs are more common."

That was a good thing, to say, she hoped.

×ARCANIA×

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That's quite all right, she replied, not having been perturbed that her daughter-in-law hadn't shown up to the birth. She hadn't really anticipated that many would have shown anyway, so those who had were only the ones she'd expected and no more. Which was also fine in her mind because she hadn't wanted certain members of the family there anyway. It was... not so overwhelming as I might have expected, but perhaps that was because I was only carrying a pair. Four cubs of a larger size than the ones she had would surely have been difficult, she thought.

Arcania laid down on the bank as they continued to speak, making a dismissive waving gesture with her paw at Lorelei's promises of not disappointing them. Not at @Lorelei, specifically, but just at the notion that she was concerned with the number of children or even whether they were male or female. Clearly her hinting had been too subtle. That was no fault of Lorelei's either. She could be vague at the best of times. It's of no concern to me if he has children. You can save such assurances for Icefang, she said idly. I'm merely warning you that he may be expected to have cubs with other women as well. X'uekai males aren't typically known for monogamy. I doubt he would have discussed this with you as I also doubt it's occurred to him, she explained. She thought for a moment afterwards before nodding slightly, certain that was the case. She knew her son well.

Being neither matriarch nor a male in the family, I don't have the status to step in on such a matter. Neither, unfortunately, do you. However... she paused meaningfully for a moment. He himself can refuse, of course. And as his wife you have every right to encourage him to do so. She studied Lorelei for whatever her reaction might be, impassivity in her gaze but also, just beneath that, a shrewd cunning. He must speak for you to be heard in this family, but I have raised him to do just that. He will listen to what you have to say. You need only make your wishes plain.

This, she thinks, is a gift. A secret given to her daughter-in-law, a sign of favor. They may have no sway within the family, but she was careful to ensure that she would always have someone to speak for her, and that now included Lorelei as well. It was a tacit offer to stand with her against the misogyny of both families.

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art by drifty ♡︎ code by scorpixia