Arrow Lake Kick my shoes off and run

AW! Just outside the opening of the den <3

The children were becoming more mobile, often times wandering close to the entrance of what had been their only world since they were born. So today, Taki had positioned herself outside directly in front of the den opening, allowing them the option to venture out under her watchful gaze. She was interested to see who would follow her out and who would stay inside. The first to poke their little head out was the last born, the biggest of the bearcubs, and she was not surprised; he seemed to be the boldest so far. The snowy twins followed not long after, and for a while, she thought her first born would not be joining them. Eventually, driven by the lack of warmth an company she assumed, he emerged but remained close. She watched them all tentatively explore the area around her, none of them venturing too far into the unknown. Once they adjusted to being outside the safety of the den, they played and scuffled with each other, always, somehow, making their way back to her to wrestle against her or across her paws as she watched and policed wherever needed. It was sunny today, and she could tell the more comfortable winter temperatures were gone for now. It was good for the small pups who still needed her to stay warm, but she was already uncomfortably warm under her thick northern coat. Still, she was able to enjoy herself mostly because she was happy to watch the children explore and learn new things about the world. Her first born eventually collapsed between her front paws and began chewing on her thick chest fur before falling asleep mid chew. She laughed a little but left him where he was, not wanting to wake him. Tired already? she said quietly in her native tongue before returning her focus to the other three who apparently were not ready to end their explorations yet.

he found takiyok sunning herself outside her den, one child tucked close to her chest and the other three falling over one another in play. for them he had brought several pheasant feathers; for the pionier herself, the plucked flesh of the bird. aurëwen's children grew, the kleine bären had become stronger, and soon diaspora would be graced with another litter.
all very fine. all very exhausting. "good day, takiyok," the gargoyle murmured after he had set down his gifts near the pups and lay the pheasant close to the winterwhite. he need not ask how they all fared, for his hard lilac gaze gathered that accordingly, and he settled himself in the warmth to smile over them.

Her fiery gaze flicked up to the Kapitän as he approached, a fluttering rising in her stomach as she watched him gift the children with feathers. To her own gift, she dipped her head in thanks but found herself unable to eat it just yet. The fluttering had happened anytime Mahler had visited the den since they day she gave birth. At first, she wrote it off as being grateful for his help that day and every day since, but then, after one of his frequent, dutiful visits, the realization of her feelings stole her breath. She had never felt that way before, and she certainly had no idea what to do about it. Surely the puppies, Stigmata's children, wouldn't make him eager to be with her if she ever had the courage to show him her vulnerability once more. No, it was too messy, and she had children to raise, so she kept it to herself, suffering in silence in his presence rather than face rejection or the destruction of their companionship.

The fluttering dulled as it usually did, and she watched the children play with the feathers before glancing down to the child still sleeping while hanging on to his mouthful of her snowy fur. When she finally settled her gaze on Mahler, her stoic face hid the turmoil inside. How are you? she asked. She knew he been running himself ragged tending to her brood and that of Aurewen, and she hoped he was taking care if himself as well.

in truth, mahler had ceased to entertain takiyok as being interested him once she had accepted stigmata as the sire of her children. he had been a confidant to her, a friend, an everlasting source of support, but what rose now in her breast was not something the gargoyle had ever suspected as existent.
therefore he was woefully ignorant to the winterwhite’s inner strife, and turned a fond eye toward her as she spoke. ”i am tired,” the shadowpriest answered truthfully, ”but i vould rather be exhausted by my lovely tasks than rested vith nothing to do.”
he was healer and midwife of diaspora, kapitan, guardian. a man of many faces, and each one fulfilled mahler in a different way. ”and you?” he asked of takiyok, wondering how she had acclimated to motherhood.

She understood what he meant, and it only made her admire him more. She, too, would much rather be busy than not; she easily grew restless as well as often needing things to take her mind off of whatever was currently causing her anxiety. Well, I appreciate all of your hard work, she offered. I've...never been through this before and it has been reassuring to have you around. He had no real obligation to her children, but he had brought her meals, kept up with everyone's wellbeing, and babysat for her occasionally when she needed a break, and she couldn't help but overflow with gratitude in his presence. 

When he inquired as to how she was, she looked away, hopefully hiding the shadows that moved through her eyes then. Sia was gone, and she still hadn't been able to think about it much without having to stifle the painful sadness that accompanied any thoughts of him. Sadiq made things a little better, but they still had so much discord between them regarding how she felt about their deceased father and her decision to leave home. He was great with the pups, though, and she was grateful to have family close by again. 

She found his gaze again once she felt like she had regained control over her expression, and she gave a small smile. I am okay, she offered. I am happy to have my brother here with me, she continued. It was the truth, if only partially so, but she hadn't really been able to talk about Sia, and she wasn't sure she ever would be.

there was a pall over takiyok, and mahler wondered worriedly at it. she ate, tended her children, and took excursions from the den, but he had heard of new mothers being gripped by a great sadness in the weeks that followed birth. as far as the gargoyle was aware, there was no cure, and in the stories passed to him, at times a she-wolf would shake off her pups and leave them, fading into the forest to seek out the solace of death.
mahler watched the winterwhite closely then, attempting to ascertain if she was merely tired, and perhaps wearied by the changes that had marked her life immediately before she fell pregnant.
”it has been my pleasure to be so close,” the man rumbled, casting a contented eye over her round, rambunctious pups. she and stigmata had done well to meld their lineages and fortify diaspora.
sadiq. mahler sensed a withdrawal in takiyok over her brother. any other time, or with another wolf, he would not have pressed. but takiyok ... ”how has he taken to being an uncle?” came his soft inquiry, punctuated by a small and encouraging smile.

More gratitude swelled in her chest at his assurance that he enjoyed his role as caretaker of Diaspora's future. His constant support was had made it so hard to be irritated with him over his conflicted state regarding Ruenna and the vale wolves. And, maybe a small part of her initial animosity had stemmed from jealousy, but that was something she would never blame on him. What she had faulted him for was losing sight of what Diaspora was meant to be. But now, as he sat here, looking at her children with such pride, she found it hard to feel anything but thankful. At least for now. It wasn't like he had actually done anything; if anything, he had stayed with them regardless of his feelings for Ruenna. Jealousy sparked slightly withing her, and she quickly pushed the subject from her mind, not wishing to think about it anymore.

Her attention was momentarily stolen by her only daughter who had wandered just a little too far from the group. She stood, jostling the sleeping pup that had been attached to her chest, his squeal of displeasure earning him an apologetic look. She trotted forward towards the girl. That is too far, she murmured in reprimand before grasping the pups scruff between her teeth and carrying her back over to her spot beside Mahler. She settled back down and deposited the pup between her front legs. She didn't take off as Taki had suspected she would do. Instead, she jumped up and playfully nipped at Taki's chin. She retaliated by mouthing the pup gently a few times, earning a tiny growl from the girl. Then, the sound of her brothers' play stole her attention and she left to join them once more. She watched the four of them play with and fight over the feathers for a few moments before returning her attention to the Kapitän.

She was thankful for the shift in conversation, even if it was about her family. Not that she minded talking to him about her family, but it was kind of a touchy subject right now, especially when it often sent her spiraling down the Sia black hole. Still, he asked, so she would answer. I think he might like them more than he likes me, she teased. Although, she wondered if there wasn't some truth there. There was still a lot between them that needed to be resolved, but she held on to the hope that they would grow close again.

had mahler known of takiyok's thoughts upon ruenna, he might have sought in his blunt way to place her more at ease. not even love could cut him from the unleavened rock of diaspora, and the shadowpriest doubted very much it had been so, love. an ember, one he sought to extinguish despite its stubborn nature. if he remained all his days as he was now, that would suit mahler, for in it was the ability to be father to all the children of diaspora, hunt leader, confidant. emotion paled in contrast to that.
he watched with fond amusement as she rose to gather her wayward daughter, keeping an eye on the displaced boy. and when she returned, a light chuckle accompanied her resettling. "a vild lot," he observed, teeth flashing in a rare smile. "have you named them yet?" he went on, thinking of the last time they had spoken upon the children.
entwined lineages from both herself and stigmata — the pair had accomplished that and mahler knew whatever names were to be bestowed would reflect the same. he was surprised to notice that the urge to father his own pups had faded, and wondered if it had anything to do with the ended season. or, perhaps, if he was being honest, with ruenna's departure; why hope for things that would never come to pass?

She nodded. Yes, very, Taki answered, proud gaze fixed on the playing children. To his question, she shook her head. No, not yet. When they're a little older, we will name them. It was how Stigmata had wanted to do it, and since she didn't have much of an opinion on when they were named, she had agreed. 

Her gaze moved to Mahler's face and as if she had somehow picked up on the subject of his thoughts, she asked: Do you think you'll have more? She lifted her muzzle towards the pups. Children, I mean. She thought it would be a shame if he didn't; she had no doubt he would make a good father. He already proven as much caring for young that wasn't even his, not by blood anyway.

gonna fade this out so we can have a new one ?

how intuitive she was. for a long moment, mahler did not move, nor did he respond; save for a single blink to announce his shock at her ferreting. his thoughts passed to ruenna, and then ironically to takiyok herself, before traveling to the wistful place where he kept locked his memories of marigold. 
”it is not something for vich i have planned,” mahler murmured at length. a non-answer to be sure, but it was the only one he felt he could give at this time.
settling the conversation next upon his most recent patrol and the tracks he had found at the border, the gargoyle thus whiled away some time before departing the winterwhite and her children for the pensive silence of the empty lake.