Dragoncrest Cliffs The Kreutzer Sonata

tags for reference, but very welcome as well :)

A year had passed since she had given birth to her first brood of children- and she had wanted to celebrate with them, but found herself missing not only one, but two of her children. She'd received news from the young scout of Redtail Rise that @Reki had gone missing- and @Etienne too had not been seen since Rosalyn's passing. His tracks had led away, but she'd not been able to find where he'd fled. She'd howled, hoping her call might reach his disparaging ears. She knew he grieved- but now, the rest of his family were left to fear what had become of him as well. 

She sought out @Suzu and @Theo, then; not willing to turn her back on the two who were still in her nest. In the wake of Mireille's birth, she knew she had been busy- but her firstborns would not go without recognition of their first birthday.

Theo was very worried for his brother, Eti. He didn't think much of their other littermate, Reki, even though he felt like maybe he should. Suzu was the only one actively left in the pack, though he really hoped his beloved brother would come back. Remembering when he left and how worried everyone was, Theo now finally understood that feeling. He didn't even register the milestone that was just recently reached by him and his littermates.

The first child she would find was her lookalike, now more broad in the shoulders than she and bearing the jaw of a young man entering his first year of adulthood. Her eyes shimmered to see him and think upon how he'd looked in his infancy- all soft, round edges and just the faintest trace of gold upon his shoulders. Now, he wore his markings like a king would wear his robes. 

"Theo," She said softly, murmuring his name in the two, descending intervals that had become his melody. "Happy birt'day, Chéri."

When his mom said those words it hit him. He was 1 today. He was no longer a young pup in his months. He'd made it through his first year of life. Wow that was strange. Time had gone by so quickly yet so slowly at the same time. It felt like yesterday and 10,000 years ago at the same time that he was just born. "Thats today... already. Wow." Theo said, though his tone wasn't really full of joy. It was hard to be happy right now.

She reached over to affectionately preen the fur at the crown of his head, where the blonde fur rose and mixed with much darker fur. He seemed surprised as well, though he didn't seem too reluctant to accept the fact that he was growing up. He grew with grace, and with the loving guidance of his family, even if his family occasionally went missing. Theo himself had been wont to wander once; and she knew the next year of his life might take him off in search of more as well. 

Perhaps it was time to see who was available within the ranks of Redtail Rise; find someone who at least lived close by. Avicus had daughters, did she not?

"Yes, Chéri, a year it be,
an' so you become Emerald, you see. 
A year 'as passed, it is your birthday at last,
You will forever be a gem to me."

Theo tried to smile. "Mama do you know where Eti be though?" He asked, his soft, younger side coming out when he asked about his missing brother. "I be worried." He added fretfully.

She sighed, and shook her head. Knowing the loss her son felt (for she felt it too) she moved closer, lifting one foreleg to welcome him into a hug should he want one. "I do not, chéri; I 'ave seen no sign of Eti." She murmured in a low, sad dirge. She knew he'd run after finding Rosalyn...but he had not been seen since. 

"I will be going on a journey soon, 
I will travel inland an' search, for less den one moon.
I will need you an' Suzu to watch de little ones;
can you do dis for me, son?"

Theo nodded. "I wanted to go find him too. But i will stay with my little sisters for you. I will care for dem with Suzu. I promise you dey will be in good paws." He said to his mom.

Her son left her with little surprises; he was a dutiful child, and had grown into a promising young man. She wondered where his path in life might take him, and if he too might wander away someday- as the men of Sapphique were often wont to do. She wondered if she should perhaps make an attempt at match-making, and find someone who might either come to live with them, or live nearby, so at least he might end up settling down within reach. 

"I believe you,
an' appreciate all you do,
sweet Theo of mine,"

She lilted, leaning in to kiss his brow. Like his sister, his promotion stemmed in part from inheritance, but largely it was because he had proven himself to be worthy of such a rank. She could only hope that he might stick around, and help found the future of the pack.

Theo dipped his head down when he mother leaned in to him. He truly loved his mother and all his family. He would die to protect any of them.

Theo was a resilient boy, who cared deeply for his family. She had never seen him pick an argument or deny a request. Like those who had shared the Sapphique blood before him, he was a staple part of the pack’s integrity. Through him, she hoped Sapphique would grow. Men like him would change the way men should be- and at last, she hoped, they could be a pack harmonious in nature.

"Is that all, Mama?" Theo asked, wanting to confirm their conversation was over before he headed out.

Theo had other things to do, and as much as she pined for the days when her children were younger and would follow her around for hours, she knew she had to let him be as well. Whether he wanted to go hunting, go patrol the borders, or seek out the company of someone his own age, she couldn't simply keep him to herself. And so, she licked his brow fondly and hummed a note of approval, before she gently nudged him on his way.