A yawn manages to escape her as she snuggles in close to her siblings. The bite of winter held no place in their family den, not when there was so many of them cuddled against one another. But a kick to her ribs from one of her siblings had her eyes flying open in rage, a grumble rumbling from her chest as she sends one of her own back paws careening towards one of her sibling's head. That'll teach em. She thought to herself, but at this point she was already regrettably awake. She groans, managing to wiggle herself free from the cuddle puddle. She does an exaggerated stretch before her clumsy paws carry her to the mouth of the den. Themis manages to take a few bold steps out of the den, her silver eyes glancing around her as she takes in the snow and sparse foliage. This was her home, she knew that, but it was so big and there was so much to be discovered yet. She takes a few more greedy steps forwards, curiosity overtaking logic and reason. Who wanted to stay cooped up in the den anyways?

art to moogle + code to ryuu

black moons
in those eyes of hers

The thing about motherhood is that it never seemed to get any easier. Nyaxia would know, wouldn't she? The cubs were almost two months old, clearly it is enough time to fully establish the rest of her life had come to a screeching halt. She wouldn't pretend she was enjoying it despite the adorable cooing and uncoordinated, tiny bodies learning how to function. Nyaxia longed for the day when they no longer required her as a source of food, because it felt like she was simply a broodmare at that point. She isn't sure she'll ever have another litter, but they were.. okay, she guessed. The older they grew and the more independent they became, the better.

Just not yet. They were still far too young, and Nyaxia far too eagle-eyed. Her attention snapped towards @Themis as she began wandering to the den, plopping down to gaze outside into the great big beyond. She frowned to herself, warring with the realization that her daughter would only ever be safe tucked away inside this den. Outside, there were monsters.

She pulled away from the other three cubs to settle near Themis, leaving the others squabbling over the abrupt lack of warmth. They would survive. "What are you thinking?" she asked, studying the girl curiously.

"What are you thinking?" An ear cranes sideways as Mama @Nyaxia approaches her. She thinks that the outside world is huge compared to the inside of this den. She thinks that there is so much to be discovered yet, but her paws are too small and her body too clumsy. She finally manages to pull her attention away from the big beyond and pins her mother in her stare. "I want to go out." She says it softly, it wasn't a command or a question. It was just a statement, blank and room for correction if need be. Themis couldn't help the relief that came with being away from the suffocating bodies of her siblings. It was nice to have this small moment, just she and Mama. She realized in her tiny little heart that she'd do anything for this woman. Perhaps she'd grow to be even more protective, it still remained to be seen. "It is cold out there." She said with a scrunched nose. Even with her thicker fur it seemed like peach fuzz in comparison to the harsh winter wind that whipped around the mouth of the den. She glances at her mother again, watching to see if she'd urge her forwards, or keep her at bay.

art to moogle + code to ryuu

black moons
in those eyes of hers

Nyaxia wonders what life will be like for these children. Their upbringing will be light-years away from how she herself was raised, and if she were being honest, it frightens her. Nyaxia does not know how to parent -- and now she is going at it alone, her heart obliterated. Harou's promises feel like empty whispers of deceit now, and as she stares backwards into the den the two of them had shared, she does not know how she will ever recover. He had promised to stay with her, to be by her side throughout all of it.

And now.. these are her children, and her children alone. She has learned her lesson when it comes to relying on men, to trusting them, and she will pass it on to her daughters. Men are not to be trusted.

"We can," the woman finally offers with a nod. "But it will be cold. You will be stronger for it in the end, however." Nyaxia lifts a paw to gently rest on the girl's head. "I will keep you safe. Explore freely, little amazon." She dips her head to bump against the girl's side before stepping out into the wintry air, content to lead her daughter into the great big beyond.

@Themis

She watches the outside world with intrigue, after all Themis only knew of her life within this den. Nestled against her siblings and her mother for warmth. "We can, But it will be cold. You will be stronger for it in the end, however." A low purr rumbles in the girl's throat when @Nyaxia's paw rests atop her head, she leans into the touch before her gaze once more refocuses on the objective, the outside world. "I will keep you safe. Explore freely, little amazon." It doesn't take much to encourage her before she is rising, moving to follow after her mother. Tiny ears cup forward as her silver gaze shifts skyward, watching as flakes of snow flutter down around them. She could see her breath on the air in front of her, but she found she didn't mind the cold. "I like this." She informs her mother as she glances around them, watching the pawprints in the snow that her mother made with each step.

art to moogle + code to ryuu