Moonspear ^___^

Maybe @Elentari? But all welcome!

The little family breakfasted, then @Sialuk turned the little ones out of doors to play in the sunshine just beyond the ulaq. Tiuttuk started an engaging game of tag with @Kaujimaq and @Pauk, though the latter begged off due to a stomachache. Their sister lost interest soon after, wandering back into the den for second breakfast.

Treepie considered joining her, then glanced at Pauk resting in the shade of a tree. Their gaze—already vivid yellow, as if in homage to the Sunshine People—swept upward and their ears pricked. The muggy May air was filled with birdsong, though the puppy didn’t see any of them through the thick foliage.

Their eyes dropped and they began to sniff around the little dooryard, heading over toward Pauk. When they came within a few feet of him, they abruptly recoiled, their muzzle wrinkling. Despite their expression and the paw now waving emphatically in front of their nose, they laughed as they retreated.

Pauk do toot toot! Pie loudly informed the world.

Today was the day, but @Maggak and @Acrux were nowhere to be found. It puzzled Sialuk, but she did not think too much of it. They were nearly woman and man, and perhaps time had gotten away from them. She was confident they would return posthaste.

In the meantime, she watched as the youngest of her brood interacted with one another, her little songbird declaring Pauk's flatulence to anybody near enough to listen. Sialuk grinned at the interaction, wondering how the brother would feel about having their bodily functions aired. The past month had flown by, and she remembered now how bittersweet it was to watch them grow into themselves. The Ostrega reminded herself that she wanted to be in these moments forever, but all she could do was enjoy them while they lasted.

Stinky, Treepie added as they quickly scooted away from their brother and toddled over to Sialuk. Mother, they said as they draped their tri-colored body over her outstretched forelegs, Pauk a smelly boy!

They didn’t even realize they spoke in different languages, the two tongues blending together in the child’s mind. Pie punctuated their assessment with a snort and then tipped their head to nudge gently at the corner of Sialuk’s mouth. Tiuttuk didn’t want to go inside with Kaujimaq but perhaps she might have some ready-made food to share with them?

Pauk didn't seem to mind too terribly much, though Treepie was clearly disturbed by the odor. They switched seamlessly between the common tongue and that of the sunshine people, a feat that Sialuk was quite proud of. She tended to do the same with all her children, and she was glad that they had picked up on it.

The nudge on her cheek had its intended purpose, and she soon provided Tiuttuk with a hefty helping of partially digested meat. Some might find it gross, but seeing as this was her second rodeo in childrearing, Sialuk didn't bat an eye.

Their mother indulged their request and Treepie fell upon the pile of pre-chewed meat as if they hadn’t just eaten an hour ago. After they polished off their second breakfast, they licked their chops and plopped to their haunches at Sialuk’s elbow. Their stomach audibly gurgled before a big ole burp worked its way up their throat. With their mouth shut, it exited any way it could: flapping their lips and seeping rather spicily through their nostrils.

Pie forgot what such a sound was called, so they looked up at the head with wide eyes and declared, I do a toot toot out my snoot!?

Sialuk laughed gently at the notion of little Pie "tooting out his snoot" as they put it. It is called 'burp,' she replied, patting them on the head. Sialuk then wrapped an elbow around her peculiar child and swept them in close, giving them a wet kiss on the top of their head. Although the past few months had been difficult for a myriad of reasons, her youngest children were not one of them.

Oh, they peeped at Sialuk’s reminder, yeah!

They smiled at the soft, warm touch of her paw atop their head, then let out a second peep when she scooped them closer and kissed the same spot. Pie readily snuggled against their mother, not only because they were sleepy from both breakfasts but because they utterly adored her. Sialuk was their happy place.

A second, softer burp escaped them as they flopped down beside her, pressing as close as they could. Tiuttuk chortled, then sighed. They pressed their little face against their mother’s pale fur and soon found the peacefulness of sleep in the dark warmth there.