Bearclaw Valley the spectacles

astara did not recall the first day she held sight; it, like aventus' dreams, had slipped long ago from her consciousness.

she watched bemused as avicus nudged and nudged and nudged, prodding in the way only sisters could -- when at last her brother stirred he stirred with crocodilian intent. indeed, these children were every bit borne of her flesh.

young as they were, she could already see merrick in them. herself in them. sometimes, even averna. it was the way they moved, how they reacted -- how their personalities acclimated to new and exciting things. thus far, her daughter reminded her most of averna -- who from day one had been bold.

lowering her head to aventus' level, astara gave him a gentle nudge of her nose to encourage him after his whine. there was much to explore in their den, and very little to be afraid of.