The little prince lay contentedly between his mother's front paws; having wriggled in close to her chest. The soft, silvery fur was warm and secure, and the gentle weight of her head on his back had the child drifting in and out of consciousness. Every once in a while he would shift; moving his head with a quiet mewl and a sigh before darkness took over his reality again. One of his velvety ears was pressed into her warmth, taking in the steady beat of her heart that he'd known since the beginning of this existence. He didn't want to play right now, and for once he wasn't all that hungry. Here he was relatively safe from any nipping teeth or indiscriminately placed little paws as well. His little cranium shifted back, settling into the crook of Namid's elbow as the Vuesain boy drifted off once again.

It was some time later when he felt the enveloping warmth of his guardian's fur lift from his back. The cooler air drifted over his downy pelt, causing the youngster to pull his paws in toward his belly with displeasure. They stretched out again, eliciting a near-inaudible peep from Cernan's closed mouth as he rolled upright. His pale blue eyes blinked open, revealing the blurred shapes that now comprised the new dimension of sense and experience in this world. He straightened, looking around with wide eyes until his dam's soft tongue came down to grace his fur. The prince's head turned, attempting to locate the large shape of his source of food and comfort as it continued to lick the dirt out of his hair. It was a comfortable sensation, and he was glad to wake up and find her still beside him this time. Her return had only assured him that she didn't ever leave for long.

The child was sitting there, enjoying his bath for a few more strokes before he thought to move. On wobbly legs he turned, fumbling over her pale-colored limb as he tried to face the incoming tongue. This time however, she had reached past him; electing to continue her caresses on the pelts of his siblings. Cernan sat quietly for a moment, his muted eyes trying to discern her form from theirs'. When she moved on to grooming the third and final shape in their dimly-lit den, the neglected child rose; teetering on newly formed legs. He padded forward, managing to remain upright until he had reached the fur of her low-hanging neck. Standing precariously on two paws, he rested all of his tiny weight on her for just a moment before flopping back onto his haunches. “Uuuuunn?” He requested quietly, still staring doe-eyed at the grey blob with all the focus he could manage. More licks and cuddles would do him just fine, and she was going to wake up the others with all that fussing!

The small child barely took note of his approaching father; his eyes were trained squarely on the preoccupied shape of the grey being who's attention had fluttered away. His weak peripherals only caught sight of the patriarch when he began moving behind Namid. The new sight managed to break the boy's concentration for a moment. This being was the 'other one.' The concept of being able to clepe this thing was still beyond the boy. There was, of course the other grey wolf that the pups had met at the entrance, but he'd not yet come back. This wolf came around often, but he simply could not match the permanence his mother possessed. Still, familiarity with the big brown shape prevented the usually shy boy from being alarmed. He was a good thing. He too offered cuddles and warmth, and never ever hurt him like his siblings sometimes did. Pleased with the other one's appearance, Cernan's fuzzy stump of a tail did its best to wiggle about with happiness. The pup received his father's touch; rising to his feet as the familiar nose met with his shoulder. He thought swiftly that perhaps this one could be persuaded to give him more attention, but there was no need for action.

The familiar stroke of a tongue produced more wags from the child's little tail. Yes! This is what he'd asked for. It was with delight that the youth padded closer; carefully moving over this one's forelegs and attempting to get the most out of this caressing. The prince turned his muzzle upward, attempting to lick at his sire's long snout to show his overwhelming appreciation. The gentle soothing voice of his mother purred around the group; directed at the other one with the same loving sound the children received. A brush against his side alerted the tawny child to Neha's presence. Sure enough, their mother had woken them up. His pale gaze turned, taking in the blurred blob at his feet. It made a noise not unlike the one he'd used to garner affection only moments before. Relatively comfortable beside his dad, Cernan rotated clumsily to face the rest of them. Their constant guardian gave in, showering the little girl with more love and soothing sounds. Aleister was tumbling forward now, falling over those same legs. Oh how treacherous they were!

The dark form made sad sounds; whimpering as he inched closer to the soft chest Cernan had been curled against in sleep. Their dam adorned him too with comfort. Again the child felt some longing for more of what he saw taking place. Intent on keeping his position with the other guardian, he shuffled slowly backward; tucking himself under the man's neck. Awkwardly he reached up again, trying weakly to lick and nibble at the longer hairs above. Maybe, just maybe, he would get some more nuzzles and happy sounds!