Neverwinter Forest how light

There was no other joy she could feel besides her children. She was so proud of them. They were growing fast- feeling that they were already growing too much. Open and wandering, they could not utter words but they could finally see the world around. She was cautious, letting them roam but keeping a good eye out. There wasn't a time they were away, even if visitors came. Wisps could be locked on, almost as if she was scared they would be taken away.

These moments of light, had prayers be forgotten. Miriam was earnest in motherhood, but each night, she still wished safe dreams to them as a whisper, "May the Goddess cast dreams of the Summerlands, and the Horned God protect from the nightmares of the darkness." The night was here, and she felt all the love within her heart.

@Asmoses @Liliana

He did not know the mama nor her mate, but knew that lingering around the den — a stranger and a male — would be unwelcome, especially when the children were still so small. His visits were brief, only dropping off food to the mother so she could spend her time with her pups and keep her milk stores high. This time was no different, though he was less than pleased with his offering — a small rabbit, perhaps a leveret, slightly lame from some accident. It was dark, much later than he was used to. As he arrived he could hear a voice murmuring something, what snippets he gleaned he barely understood. He knew immediately who the speaker was — for the only adult who had stayed here the longest was the mother. He chuffed to her through the rabbit swinging from his jaws, his head low and tail tucked.

Sometimes, Miriam could smell another prescense lingering around her den. She knew it wasn't Mal, or any of the other children, but she couldn't catch him in time. Her pups, asleep and nestled beside her, peacefully undisturbed. If she was careful enough, her movements would smoothly slide away from the two, as she prawled toward the entrance of the den.

"Who... Are you?" Ghostly eyes peaked out in wonder, to the thankful stranger that would leave her dinner on occassions.

He placed the carcass down near the den's entrance. He had expected to simply slip away, suspecting that the mother was asleep, but was surprised to see her peering out at him. She was lovely to look at, slate gray with pale eyes. He dipped his head. My name is Haoniyao,

"It's a pleasure," she was a lady of manners, "I am Miriam, Miriam Iris Willows." Thinking about it, it had been sometime since she had properly introduced herself to any. Which also gave the thought.. She never properly addressed their full names to @Mal. She did not know if he held more then in initial one. It was a hope, to give them the 'Willow' name. The fleeting thought had the maiden glance back toward her pups, before facing back forward.

"Have you been dropping these off, for me?" Miriam asked, looking down at the rabbit, and back toward the male.

Her name was long and unfamiliar. Willow was...a tree? He could not recall correctly. It was a nice name, at least to hear from her voice. Yes, he answered. So you can focus on the pups, he said, earnest. The connection between mother and children was paramount in his mind. The pack — family bound or otherwise — was supposed to support that bond above all else.

"Thank you." Gratitude toward the man, she dipped her head toward him. Her white eyes momentarily glanced back toward her children, wondering if she should have them say thank you as well. However at the time the two were both passed out from a day of play, she doubt they would get up willingly. Perhaps another day, she would have them meet Haoniyao.

"Perhaps we can eat together?" The maiden suggested.

He was impressed by her courtesy. It was within her right, as a nursing mother, to take it all for herself. But she offered him some of his own measly catch. He dipped his head, If you do not mind, he held back, allowing her to take the first bite.

Miriam glanced back at her young one's, but they were still sound asleep, so she was thankful to be able to have this peace. It could be moments before they start chirping and the mother would need to retreat, but everyone needed a break. Thankully so, she dipped down to take a bite and felt the nourishment of having a delicious treat.

She loved rabbits.

Then the maiden moved it toward her companion, so he may eat as well, "How long have you been here?" She asked.

They were quiet for a moment, Yao watching as she took a bite of the rabbit, then moving the carcass to him. He took a small bite — he could go through a rabbit in seconds if need be and felt unusually small and strange as he took what was pretty much a nibble. He swallowed his small morsel before he answered her. A few months, he said, quietly amazed at how long he had stayed here. Lenny recruited me, he smiled, recalling their first meeting and the strange circumstances that led him to become a member of Neverwinter Forest. What about you?

"The same.. It was shortly before I was pregnant." There was a glance toward the den, a small heartache of a smile to follow. She only wished to temporary reside within the Neverwinter Woods, as her dream has always been, and always will be- exploration. She wanted to completely cover the lands and map a mental image..

Yet, the darkness lured her so, and now, she had two that Miriam could not abandon. She wouldn't, but maybe when they are older, she can bring them with. 

"It was a pleasure eating with you, but now I must feed them as well."

He was curious as to who the sire of her pups were — Mal, perhaps? He was unsure if wolves here, or of Mal's culture, took multiple mates, as he had already met another one of his progeny before. But he knew that it was too improper to ask, especially on first meeting. He simply nodded, saving his questions for another time.

Kwa kweli! he said, then realizing that she wouldn't understand him. Of course, he translated, rising to his feet. If you ever need anything, let me know, he smiled.

"Thank you," a gentle smile back, before retreating into the den. Surely, after she ate, they would be quite famished and able to produce enough milk for the day. Wolves of these lands were quite kind, especially to Haoniyao, who provided plenty of meals for Miriam.