it was cute. at first.
the baby boy had taken quite a shining to his father's path, something inji thought khusobek would be very pleased to hear about. secretly, she allowed him enough time to observe the mazoi before she "caught" him, melodramatically dragging him home by the scruff and pretending it did not make her heart swell with joy that he sought to rise above his station.
every little boy thinks his dad is their hero, right? it was sweet...! until he started terrorizing their home.
while inji had never been a soldier, she began to feel like one as kiyya's high-pitched yapping woke her up before dawn. he was so serious about it, so passionate; this would be great if it wasn't for the fact that she, and likely also his siblings, were less than enthused about it.
kiyya, she grumbles one morning as he "practices", eyes still half-lidded and fur still ruffled from sleep. she cannot help but smile down at him. you're gonna do great things one day, baby, but i think it's time to use your inside voice.

wouldn't you rather go to one later in the day? when it's warmer out? and after mommy has had her breakfast?
he runs to her side, the sweet boy; he took after her in the way his excitement and joy bled into everything he did. his puppy breath is hot against her cheeks, and she tolerates the show of affection, one paw wrapping around his shoulders.
she stifles a yawn, readjusting her gangly limbs so that she may rise to stand if need be. she had a feeling she wasn't getting out of this one, no matter how much gentle redirection she offered.