Redtail Rise LXVI

it was odd not to have thorn caller here, tending over this litter as caru.

new snow recovered. mountain boulder brought her offerings of the fattiest things he could kill.

today she had gone for much-needed space. he sat large and imposing in the doorway of the den, eyes watchful upon any activity beyond the shelter's mouth.

@Tuesday’s Twilight, @Tuesdays Dawn, and @Tuesday Afternoon were piled warmly beneath the plush of one flank, secure behind the massive power of their father.

tuesday's dawn was a rather boring child, all things considered.
now approaching his second week of life, he did not have very much to show for it thus far. but he was a demanding little thing, insatiable in his desire for mother's milk and father's comfort when he knew not what was upsetting him — in most cases, this was tiredness or an upset tummy, or some other mild inconvenience, the knowledge of this lying between he and whatever higher power brought him here. the days are long and otherwise uneventful for him, but surely agonizing for his poor parents.
the latest thing to upset him was the sharp nudge of his father's elbow, which now begins to send him into a shrieking fit as he flails and kicks his siblings with his tiny limbs. if he must suffer, so will everyone else.

Tuesday’s Twilight was a rather easy child. At least, compared to her brother, that was. She hardly fussed, mostly seemed to wake, eat, then drop right back into sleep. Nothing seemed to phase her really, no baths, no movement, nothing.

Up until today, when her brother decided to nail her with one of his kicks.

Twilight had been having a wonderful time suckling at her own toes, at her father’s fur, whatever she could reach, when the wind was suddenly knocked out of her. She released a shrill cry, slightly wheezed with the force of an infantile kick to an infantile stomach.

She whipped her head around, rolling onto her side to kick back with all the force afforded to her by being a baby. No matter who she actually kicked, someone would pay.

Tuesday Afternoon tended to go with the flow. His wake windows were full of exploration, and his sleeping was difficult to shake him from. He always slept like a rock, unbothered and uninterested in anything else.

After the kicking chain began, Tuesday Afternoon was the last to receive a blow. He woke with an OOF, jerking upright and swinging his head blindly about as he complained with an unhappy wail.

Despite his unhappiness, he would not strike his siblings. Instead, he would seek his parents' attention and hope they would do the work to wrangle their rowdy children!

tuesday's dawn squalled, and mountain boulder snorted in surprise. he turned pointed ears and inquiring eyes toward the boy, wondering what had disturbed him.

tuesday's twilight reacted, and her father's attention now bestowed itself in the form of an amused chuff. he watched her for a moment, wondering how her loud brother would rejoin.

tuesday afternoon wailed displeasure at the events, entreating their massive father, and it was he who was given a snuffling-over of the broad muzzle.

mountain boulder grunted then, having turned awkwardly in the entrance; his shoulders scraped dirt down into his own fur as he sent a massive tongue laving over the squabbling pair, knocking them gently back.

the little boy jolts as he feels his sister react with a sharp kick of her own. this was not supposed to happen! tuesday's dawn was meant to be the one who kicked! he screeches malevolently, searching for her now with his tiny, slobbery mouth as their brother watches in abject terror.
until he is interrupted.
something big and wet now consumes his body, and for a moment the middling boy thought he was about to be eaten. but no, it was father — once the initial wave of surprise passes him, he settles into the interaction with a pleased grunt. his reign of terror has ceased, for now.

A slobbery mouth grabs for her feet and she screams in retaliation, lashing out with kicks in every direction. It is an ultimate betrayal from a source most foul, her brother. She scrambles for the mental power to handle this. Then, it turns out she doesn’t need it.

A tongue knocks her from her kicking, and Twilight settles. Something in her appreciates the intervention, she wasn’t the violent type at this point.

She moves back to gnawing on her father’s fur, settled in the knowledge that peace is restored, if only for now.

the dawn boy was comforted. the twilight girl was contented. mountain boulder was silent, allowing them to mouth his fur and nestle as closely as they wished.

peace was kept. peace was held.

his tongue lolled. he watched cardinals wheel the breeze beyond and thought of red woman.