Bearclaw Valley dusty flowers

indra didn't have it in her to treat the puppies any other way -- it was not their fault, and would never be their fault, that their father had hurt laurel. had children been accountable for the countless mistakes of their father, she imagined the world would have been shaped drastically different. crueler, harsher perhaps. she was relieved when laurel agreed and affirmed she would, at the very least, try to raise them as if they were indra's own. she knew in the felled chambers of her heart there were many things that were hard to ask for -- most of all, caring for your lover's exmate's children as if you loved them -- it was an impossible task and indra knew it might not come easily for laurel.

thankfully, laurel seemed not to resent them -- at least not outwardly -- and indra loosened a sigh she hadn't been aware she was holding in. "thank you," she said in emphatic tones. at the very least 'wont be abandoned' was heartening -- indra felt her stomach clench at the idea of any child reliving her childhood. "they're growing so fast... yours too..  soon we'll really have our hands full." indra attempted a wry chuckle, though it fell short as she thought of their father again. "i suppose their first hunt is coming up soon.."