Moonspear the minor fall, the major lift

Jarilo need not fear her, nor her sisters, unless he truly transgressed. But he had not. Hydra was hypercautious, and he knew this as all her family did. Better to be prepared, to be ready. He too seemed to understand, shifting away in case she acted further. Appeased by this, Hydra's hackles melted and she shook out her furs. He had not done anything wrong here, and she would not act as though he had. Settled, she reached to grab the morsel he had brought her, pausing long enough to permit his touch and, after a beat, nose his cheek companionably. Hydra was grateful for him; for all of her family. They had suffered much, but they were as ready as they ever could be to rebuild. They remained, and they supported her ascension, unconventional and unfortunate though the circumstances had been.

She dug into the rabbit, hungry and glad for the sustenance. Her eyes shifted upward at his admittance, and studied his expression. No doubt his mind was still heavy from all that had transpired. He had little distraction from it, unlike she herself who was nothing but immersed in it. She swallowed what remained in her mouth, licking her chops to remove the remaining mess from it, lifting her head to allow herself to be entirely present for him. Hydra did poorly with emotions, in dealing with them at all, but Hydra had missed him too. All of her family, in fact—though her younger siblings were wise to steer clear of her in recent days, as they knew her nature... it was more subdued now that they were a little older; she would not mind their company. That she missed him in kind went without saying; it was obvious in the way she received him, and let him linger despite being tired. She was alert, now, and was happy to spend this time with him.

Jarilo's question was met with a nod. Growing stronger every day. I have named them. Vega is your niece; Osiris, Atlas, and Antares are your nephews. You will be able to meet them soon, she promised with a low hum. They are eager to explore the outside world already. But it was too soon for that, instinct told her, and it was this feeling she obeyed.