Redhawk Caldera whitewhisker

rendezvous move for @Eagle, @Crane, and @Cardinal! assuming @Kivaluk would be along! tagging @Eljay & @Kigipigak, saying @Maia and @Amalia are along as well <3

chickadee paraded through a column of dragonflies with her little ones in tow. her mate was not far, and her own parents lingered. she grinned, happy to keep an easy pace as she brought them to the little circlet of wildflowers atop soft green hills.
far enough from the lake to comfort chickadee, the land was sunny and well-guarded by a forest she had searched for game they could hunt.
it was bittersweet to have them leaving the blackthorn den. her eyes stung with joyous tears, ones she didn't allow to fall as she encouraged their kids to move out into the bloom-wreathed grassland.

the children were growing like weeds. there is a slightly bittersweet ache in kivaluk's chest as he follows chickadee, corralling the children from the back in case they were wont to wander; though with their small procession of friends and family members also tagging along to help celebrate the move and milestone in the children's lives they wouldn't get far if they did get past him.

kivaluk is quiet as they relocate, unable to help the thought that their next move would be to dens of their own. his gaze touches each of his children, wondering what paths they might take in their lives yet to come.

It was bittersweet for Eljay, too. His stiff legs did not allow long journeys, and he had enjoyed very much having the whole family right there. Another might have enjoyed reclaiming some of his peace and silence, but not Eljay; he could not have had too much of living with his family. He understood the need for space, however, and of course he would help them move.

He, too, remained quiet as they relocated, and he helped gently nudge the pups if they needed coaxing. It seemed like Eljay's presence helped them leave their trusted home, for he had been a part of their previous one since they were born, which warmed the grandfather's heart as much as it saddened it now that they would not live right by his side. He did not allow his melancholy to overpower his joy to see his growing grandchildren come into their own further and be big enough for the move, however.

she watched the moonthorn children play, stealing glances at her father and her mate as the pups moved off into the rendezvous.
next year was not far off. the idea of raising another clutch of nestlings with her handsome kivaluk made her shy in its sudden appearance.
with a laugh, she ran to join them.