Noctisardor Bypass The mother reads aloud, child tries to understand it.

Mama, why do birds?
This was one of the many questions that had erupted from Indra's mouth in the past few days.

Others included:
Why are rabbits food?
Why are fish in the water?
and,
Why is home so cold?

These would come at spontaneous times and without any consistency, often one after another even while @Laurel was answering something that Indra had already posed as a question; she was insatiable ever since her walkabout, wanting to know what everything was for, why it was the way it was, and other such nonsense.

It was completely inane but it helped to pass the time, even if it drove her mother (and most likely her brother) absolutely crazy.

Ah, the incessant question phase. Laurel'd been here a few times before.

With her first litter, it was all wonderful and new. Besides, she'd loved Lucas and Piper, so it was not as much a chore to answer all of their questions in some way.

With her second litter, things had been different. She'd managed to prevent them from asking too many questions early on by simply shutting herself off from them or rewarding their whining with a snap to the nose. The reasons weren't that she was done with it, though. The reason was that she was done with them. Especially after Indra died, she had never seen them the same way, because Indra had hated them. Because of me. Because of him. Because of what I'd done. Because of what he'd done.

Now it was all different yet again.

Laurel was not in the best place in her life, both physically and mentally. She didn't have many friends. Sequoia was her only real friend, and then there was Mahler, with whom things were, well, difficult. Then there were other wolves, such as Wylla, who Laurel basically never saw. She'd never been offered anything during her pregnancy and having pups. Not even a hello. It stung, even though Laurel herself had never taken initiative either. But how could she have? She was pregnant and all.

Either way, Laurel spent what patience she had in this depressing situation called life on Indra, most of all. It made her happy to be around Indra, at least for a little bit.

Despite Indra being in the incessant question phase right now.

So she played the role of patient mother, wanting to prepare Indra as best she could for the world, and she answered each and every question in some form.

Why are birds what? Flying? They probably wonder why you aren't flying. With a good-natured chuckle.
Rabbits are food because they are so very tasty.
Just like we can't survive in the water, fish can only survive in the water, sweetheart.

And the latest question had Laurel pause for a moment.

Cold? Do you mean because it's winter now? Not that Indra'd know what winter was, but the question set Laurel aback as she thought of how cold the entirety of Rivenwood felt to her at times.

Each question posed to mother was answered swiftly and in good humor; Indra thought, 'she is so smart! The smartest!' And the questions kept flowing, or would have, had Laurel not paused on the last.

Taking this as a sign she had been stumped, Indra smiled innocently and enjoyed the brief flare of satisfaction this wrought. It's cold mummy! I don't like it. Oblivious to the deeper query that now affected Laurel.

Rivenwood was cold in more ways than winter could explain; maybe Indra had picked up on that, and the absence of the other older children, without realizing.

Why is everything hard? Why does the air taste funny? Why can't we stay warm at home instead. by home she meant the den, which both kids were quickly outgrowing.

You don't like it either, do you, dearest? Laurel shuddered and then said, I know, honey. Life's unfair — we don't always get precisely what we wanted. She tried to provide Indra with as much as she could, at least, but there were things like the weather that were beyond Laurel's control. She nudged Indra's cheek and then said softly, But thankfully we have each other. If we huddle real close, we can keep each other warm.

Thoughts of 'home' made Laurel think about not choosing to bring the pups to the rendezvous site. She never really had, even though Charles, Riley and Louie had been roaming a lot anyway. They'd never stuck to the den very much. Probably because Laurel had been there, and she was rarely in a good mood in those days. The current den would be a bit small to live with the three of us, but maybe they could dig it out a bit further, Laurel thought to herself.

When it's winter, it freezes, which is why everything gets hard, she patiently explained to her daughter. But there's fun things about winter, too — like snow.

Every answer made Indra feel very good about herself. Her mother was listening to her, unlike the other children.

Laurel was a spotlight and Indra was glad to bask beneath it; each question earning a nod or a little "oh," as she learned little things.

Truthfully none of it would stick within Indra's mind, as she didn't really care about the answers themselves — only Laurel, who was her entire world.

Do you like snow? She asked next, when this new word was introduced to her. The girl didn't bother asking what the snow was, specifically, as that part didn't matter. If her mother liked something, she would like it.

Laurel was happy to be Indra's spotlight, as she taught her about the world all over again. She would always make her little girl feel special; it would take priority over anything in the world. After all, Indra had supported her for a lifetime, and the least Laurel could do was teach her all of the important things again in this life. Love was the most important one.

Indra asked if her mother liked snow, and Laurel smiled at Indra. After a moment of thought she answered. It's not always fun to move through if there's a lot of it, she explained, But it's soft and fluffy and great to roll in or play in. It felt like a lifetime ago since Laurel had last played, too; possibly it had been when Indra was still alive. Before Iliksis.

It sounded more like a hassle than anything.
As Laurel explained, it was something that sounded kind of wonderful. Indra did not know if she would like it; and her mother hadn't given her a straight answer one way or the other, so she hummed to herself.

Soft like you? she asked next, wriggling so that she could squish in closer to the stale-chocolate coat of her mother. She wasn't interested in playing in snow yet, especially if it was a challenge to move around in at the best of times. Indra knew she was little and she wasn't going to chance being overwhelmed by something she didn't understand.

If it was possible to melt her heart any further, Indra sure managed. Laurel chuckled as Indra asked if snow was soft like Laurel, and she felt warm and whole when Indra snuggled close to her. Yes, Laurel said with a warm smile on her face. Soft like me — She nuzzled Indra gently on the top of her head. — And like you.

Mother was closer, and she was warm. She kissed Indra on the top of her head; and the girl felt dizzying amounts of adoration flooding her every inch. She burrowed deep against Laurel's coat and began to snooze very quickly.