Nova Peak And I know you're worried at night

open! mama @Elowen Aeloria

the world came in slow.

light first—blurry, soft like belly fur, too bright at the edges. kaldros blinked, a twitch of his small face, his brows furrowing like it offended him. the den, once only sound and warmth, cracked open into shapes. movement. shadows.

his nose wiggled. mama. he knew her scent, thick like milk and something strong beneath it, like stone in the rain. her breath was close. her fur brushed his face. he breathed her in again, anchoring himself to the only thing he’d ever known.

he blinked again. the shape next to him shifted—a sibling, maybe. they were always warm, always there. the sound of a heartbeat nearby, steady like the sea. he didn’t know words for any of it. but his paws kneaded gently at the earth, his tail twitching once.

kaldros, son of bloodline and burden, opened his eyes to a world that had been waiting for him. and though he was small, frail, with ears still folded and steps not yet learned—

he stared. and the world stared back.