It wasn't a surprise to her, her current condition. What was a surprise to her was that she didn't mind it. Granted, she had plenty of other things on her mind these days, between the aftermath of the war and the newest generations of X'uekai running around the Brook, of which her own would soon join. She wondered what they might look like, all spotted like him or more like her? She wasn't sure what she preferred.

Of course, she was abusing the fact that she was pregnant and old to lounge in a patch of sunlight directly outside her den as she contemplated such things. Because surely she'd earned that right, thank you very much. She was in a good mood that day, and so anyone who decided she hadn't earned that right might not be met with her teeth and claws. Although wasn't it said not to poke a pregnant woman?

art x code

Inside the brook the serpent lurks. Blue eye falls on @Arcania ♔, noting the familiar swell of her abdomen as she basks in the sunlight that breaks through the brook's trees to grace her form. Icefang smirks, pleased at the sight, and with carefully placed steps she stalks through the thick sheet of snow from behind her sovereign. Only when she is steps away does she break the silence with her voice. "Now, when were you going to tell me the good news?" Her voice rumbles softly though there is an edge of mocking to it. As if she is scolding a child for being caught in a lie. "I thought I taught you better than to keep secrets from me?"

The serpent slips in, breaking the boundary of personal space as she moves to tower over Arcania. Her limbs form a shield barrier from escape as they slide over the red woman's shoulders, trapping her in between. She stares at the top of the queen's head from above using her position as a reminder of her status within the family and the pride. She would praise her later for completing the task she had assigned so long ago, but first, Icefang needed to remind her daughter about her manners.

SPEECH

You're either going to be inspired or intimidated by me

code by corvus / art by eightysix

Her ears twitched, thinking she heard someone behind her but dismissing it. It surely couldn't be her own son, and she couldn't think of anyone else who would sneak up on h-ACK! Okay, well, clearly there was one other that would sneak up on her. Luckily she didn't physically jump out of her skin, just mentally so.

She tipped her head back to look up at @Icefang ♔ as she was towered over, a low purr rumbling in her despite the chastisement in the other woman's voice. She was entirely too old to be scolded like that, but she accepted it anyway. Well, I had to be sure, she said as though that was a proper excuse. But, to be fair, she hadn't been sure when she'd first started noticing the signs, and then she'd been worried her age might pose an issue. Now, though, she felt certain things would be okay, though she still hadn't gotten around to letting Icefang know. She'd been planning on it, obviously, but alas. Well, Icefang would just have to wait until the cubs were born to make a throw rug out of her.

art x code

Their eyes meet when @Arcania ♔ tips her skull back. She is unaware of the internal surprise she had given her, but the matriarch does remove herself from her towering stance as the rumbles of a purr fill her ears. "Doesn't matter," she growls at the excuse, though she is not mad. At least for the most part. Though she didn't like that it was twice now she was unaware of Arcania's surge into motherhood. "Etain better follow your lead soon," she speaks though the thought is mostly to herself as she glances up and around them. They still had their privacy and as her skull drops back to meet her sovereign's eyes again, Icefang asks the real question.

"Who is the father?"

SPEECH

You're either going to be inspired or intimidated by me

code by corvus / art by eightysix

She managed to look repentant at @Icefang ♔'s grumble at least. Listen, she still hadn't figured out where her first son had come from, so at least she and Icefang both were in the dark about that gift from the deity that neither of them believed in. Poor Maua, so unthanked for their hard work in that regard.

Perhaps you will have to find a massive lion for her, she commented, remembering the conversation they'd had a while ago at this point. But at least she has more years in which to find one. The age comparison between the two of them was dramatic. Arcania was certainly in her golden years at this point, while Etain had plenty of time to not have to panic about it.

For the briefest moment she considered lying, but she didn't see any real reason to, and she'd never lied to family before and she wasn't about to start now. He is a leopard I met several times previously. He is much like me. A sleuth and dabbler in poisons, she replied. Or so she had surmised from where she had first met him. Imagine if she could have dragged him back to the Brook with her so that Icefang could have met him. But, it had worked out with him in the Rainforest, she supposed. Distance made the heart fonder and all that, though she suspected at this point she wouldn't run into him again. It wouldn't surprise her if she didn't.

art x code

Perhaps you will have to find a massive lion for her.

She grumbles. Within their own family they had two options - Cassius and Velasco. Now, it was dangerous to offer up her eldest son with his succeeding honeymoon with the former Caladan queen although Icefang didn't truly expect her family to forsake themselves to polygamy. While she had kept her loyalties in check when Renozuri was alive, she had loosened up her attractions towards others quite a bit once she realized she was free. On the other hand, she was certainly not suggesting Cassius. She might be keeping her own relations with him private and while she agreed to let him frolic with his other women, the queen felt particular about allowing him to bed women that accepted the X'uekai name in other ways.

He is a leopard I met several times previously. He is much like me. A sleuth and dabbler in poisons. A brow raises again, questioning, but instead Icefang plants a kiss on @Arcania ♔'s forehead. "Well then I hope that means he won't show up searching for his children," because she sure as hell didn't plan on giving any of them up. Though even she was curious on how exactly this litter would turn out.

SPEECH

You're either going to be inspired or intimidated by me

code by corvus / art by eightysix

Man, if she'd realized just getting pregnant would make @Icefang ♔ so happy she would have done it ages ago, because this was probably the most affectionate the other woman had ever been with her. Now she knew.

Arcania shook her head slightly at the notion of him coming back for his children. She doubted she would see him again, if she was being honest. I'd like to see him try, she commented dryly. She enjoyed his presence and spending time with him, but that wouldn't save him from her wrath if he tried to steal away her cubs. If he's that interested, he can come join us. She didn't think he would, though. He seemed more the sort to be interested in a fling and that would be the end of it. Which was fine, because it had suited both of their purposes. Which I doubt will happen.

art x code

"Mmm," she rumbles listening to @Arcania ♔ speak about the children's father. Icefang was indifferent to Lorant being present in their lives. If anything, having him decide to stay away was a blessing. There would be no meddling or outside beliefs planted in this litter's head. All they would know would be the teachings of the X'uekai and develop strong loyalty to the rest of them. It was a perfect recipe.

"You will feel different this time around," she advises her, recalling how Temero seemed to appear out of thin air. They hadn't discussed much about him, the pair simply accepting that he was destined to be her son. "The hormones might make you a bit crazy...more protective over these ones." Icefang had seen how often Temero had faced his mother's ire when he failed to learn her teachings. It was clear he was not cut out for the work of an assassin, failing to recall the poisons he had been shown. Honestly, she was unsure where he really fit in - skill wise. "Perhaps these children will develop your skill for poisons."

SPEECH

You're either going to be inspired or intimidated by me

code by corvus / art by eightysix

That will be interesting, she mused. She wasn't particularly protective of anyone, family or not, although she had felt stirrings of it for her eldest son at times, when he'd returned from a fight missing some toes and when he'd fought in the Lagoon war. Much as she might playact at not caring, she wouldn't hesitate to go for someone's throat if she thought they truly meant to hurt him in her presence. But she couldn't deny that she felt far less lenient at the thought of someone trying to harm those currently within her.

A soft sigh left her as @Icefang ♔ continued to speak, knowing exactly what she was referring to. He tries, she conceded, not unkindly. It would be nice to have one to follow in my pawsteps, however, she said. She only had a few more years left to her, and it would be easier to leave this world behind if she could impart some of her knowledge to another before she did. But she wouldn't be picky.

And to think, not so long ago we were the only X'uekai within the lands, she commented with amusement.

art x code

This was the first time that Icefang chose to directly comment on Temero's usefulness...or lack of as his mother sighs and releases her grievances on the boy's abilities. The matriarch flicks an ear, rumbling an amused sound. "I've shared the same feelings," she admits knowing that so many stood beneath her and yet not one had matched her drive for power. Often, she wondered what fates would fall on the family once she was no longer around to dictate them. Would it all crumple apart?

She shifts away, abandoning her position above @Arcania ♔ to settle down besides her. Roughly, Icefang leans her body into the larger female's side. "Yes, and now look at what we've become since I took the Brook." They had thrived well inside the paradise of Vermeda. "What do you expect will happen once I die?" A brow quirks, curious if her sovereign had any intention to hold onto the mantle a bit longer. Cassius might of been shoved to them that he would lead, but Icefang had never asked the rest of them how they felt about him personally. And if they intended to actually listen.

SPEECH

You're either going to be inspired or intimidated by me

code by corvus / art by eightysix