Northstar Vale Let My Body Do Me Right

for any of the fam! @Takeshi @Reiko @Haruki @Sumi @Hime takes place on the 5th

The days that had passed since the young Princess was carried to the top of the mountain were eventless, or at least to Hotaru. Still unable to hear the world around her, she found peace once more as soon as she adjusted to her new den. It wouldn't be too hard luckily, almost everything was the same except one more body had been added to her little world. That was acceptable. The girl's days were filled with the same routine, eat, sleep, cry when she was disturbed by any of the bodies around her and repeat.

Today was different though, for the first time in the girl's life light had been introduced and suddenly her small world wasn't so small anymore. Blue eyes squinted as she tried to adjust to the sudden change, it was different and as such the starts of a whimper arose in her throat. The world was still blurry to her undeveloped eyes, but she could make out the blobs of white around her and the much larger blob that she would soon learn to know as her mother. What seemed to interest her more though was the bright light that filtered into the den.

Hotaru squirmed her way out from the pile of her siblings giving a few faithful scoots to try and get a better look. All her life all she had known was darkness, it was a revelation to even see the other bodies in the room, but that at least made an inkling of sense to the girl. The light had no explanation. Deciding that her scoots were not giving her the desired outcome, Hotaru pushed herself up, her front half first slowly followed by her rear. The girl's legs wobbled as she tried to keep her balance and as soon as she raised a paw to move closer she tumbled over drawing out a loud cry.

This had become her new favourite thing. Spending time with the puppies who seemed to be growing bigger each and every day, already the Empress found herself dreading the day they were too old to need her anymore. The days where her kisses were embarrassing and not encouraging or an expression of pure love. Then, there it was. The first things to show that they were growing oh so quickly. Hotaru was the first to get her legs, her eyes seemed to be opening too as she struggled to a stand and slowly started moving forward the best she could. 

Pride swelled into the mother's chest, watching as the little one did her very best with the first few steps. Feeling the sorrow of their growth grow as well, but pride was far too powerful to feel anything else in this moment as she watched the princess with awe. It didn't come to a shock that the little girl stumbled and fell, wailing in response and Reiko was quick to respond with a few gentle licks to soothe the princess. 

There, there. You did so well~ No need to cry, you'll grow strong enough very soon. Uncertain if Hotaru could hear now too, the mother's voice was soft and encouraging, deciding to hum a little tune all the while still trying to soothe the princess with a few licks. She sang a lullaby to see if that could ease the sudden scare of the princess caused by the fall. The same lullaby Reiko's own mother sang to her years ago - and still to this day she remembered every word.

It was only seconds until her mother was at her side in an attempt to comfort her. The overwhelming amount of kisses soon calmed her cries as they subsided to mere whimpers. Unfortunately, her ears were not developed enough to truly hear the melody, but the sound had enough variance to catch the young girl's attention. Hotaru soon forgot about her fall, more focused on the strange thrums that vibrated her ears. It too was new but not unwelcomed. The princess tilted her head back, eyes straining to make out the form above her or make sense of the tune. Whatever it was she wanted to know more.

Nen-ne nu korori yo, Okorori yo. The old tongue of her people rang through softly as she slowly sang the song, remembering the lyrics as they came as if it were stored away in her memory just ready to be exercised again. My good baby sleep. For now she would switch between both forms that her mother had taught her, something she hoped to do the same with her own children. Hotaru seemed to find peace again, and Reiko was glad that her little idea seemed to be working.

Would it just be Hotaru who was interested in song later on or would all three of them someday find contentment in the art. 

Here are the lyrics and translated lyrics if you want them Asori!

Much to the young girl's luck the sound did not stop. She wasn't able to make sense of the switch in languages yet, but maybe with time, she would learn to recognize both. Hotaru wanted more and would make her desires known with her own babbling followed by some batting at Reiko's chest with her paws.

Continuing on the ballad, she didn't put much thought into the language chosen just yet - unafraid of confusing the little girl since Reiko believed she couldn't really hear her after all more than just some sounds. The child's signals were well understood and of course the new mother would continue until the song would end. A souvenir from her home, what did you get? - Hmm? She song stopped for just a moment, right before finishing and nosed the little girl softly, playfully trying to tickle Hotaru with a gentle nosing. Hmm Hotaru? What did you get?

Pulling back to watch her child with utmost awe. Was it a toy drum and a Sho flute? Of course the child could not respond, but that didn't matter. Reiko loved talking to her children, regardless if they could listen or hear.

The little girl was blessed with the rest of the song and her joy would be obvious through her little tail wagging behind her body, the force of which caused her rump to shake along as well. Despite not understanding the words, Reiko's tone addressed her, something that had become somewhat familiar as a nose prodded her side. Hotaru let out a cry, quickly flopping over to ferociously kick in protest, but it would be obvious to the mother that it was not pain that caused her screams. In fact, it seemed she was rather ticklish but she hated it. Thoughts of the song were cherished but gone now as she faced a new battle until relief was met from the merciless attack.

The little kicks and cries of protest, how mean could she be to think that this was all too cute and loved every bit of it. Little Hotaru was ticklish from the looks of it. The tickling didn't last very long but just long enough for perhaps the both of them, more so the little girl who fought against it with such vigor. Would she still be ticklish later on or was it just something her mother could enjoy for the time being? It was a strange feeling to believe that only Reiko would remember this moment as it would go by probably completely forgotten by the time the princess was older... was a strange thought indeed.

last post from me!

The Princess had no thoughts as to how this memory would likely disappear with time, her focus was on the present. To her relief, the prodding stopped leaving Hotaru with her paws pressed to her mother's maw. The moment felt long to the girl, she wondered if the relief was only temporary, but when it was clear the torture was over she'd let her legs go limp with a small huff. Eventually, she'd roll to her feet and make the effort to scoot herself closer to nestle against her mother's side. It seemed between the walking attempt and the horrible battle she had exhausted herself. With only one thought left on her mind, Hotaru would curl up quickly dozing off like her siblings.

And just like that, it was all done, Hotaru was tired. The young girl curled up to take a nap and Reiko did the same, wrapping herself around the youth and her siblings. Who knows how long she will be able to hold them like this and so she would take up as much of these opportunities as possible until they grew tired of being coddled. 

[end!]