Northstar Vale Phyllis -- a woman -- has uslurped my role as Santa.

Hearing her daughter speak was magical, euphoric, and simultaneously terrifying. How much longer before her babies were all grown up? It struck her powerfully in that moment - already Lilitu was eager to take on the world, she could walk and run and talk, she could sing like Ibis used to; how many more days could Ibis keep both of her daughters safely contained? She wanted them all to herself before then world could come crashing in upon them.

Days, maybe? A mere matter of weeks? The den was already too small; Ibis knew she should have relocated them to the rendezvous by now, and delayes introductions to the pack for selfish reasons. She was their mother! She was supposed to keep them safe.

Lilitu fetched the dirty rock and offered it again, as if it were something precious. The gift sat before Ibis, who was briefly overwhelmed with emotion and the abundance of thought. In an offhanded manner she observes the stone and says, That's nice, thank you.