Wildflower Glade It was mine too

It seemed Aquene had finally stepped out of her funk, at least a little. Nash's ears swept back briefly at her irritation, but he chose not to push it. Whether or not she was truly ready was for her to decide, not him, and he didn't want to antagonize her further. He was just happy she appeared to be feeling better. He kissed her cheek in appeasement, hoping to return them to a more easy conversation while they watched their youngest play.

He was relieved she agreed with him on Magg's punishment lifting. It would make things simpler, not to push her below the yearlings. They would all work together to care for their trio of young ones, and they needed all paws on deck to run the pack. Unfortunately there will still politics to consider.

"I would like Leo to be our primary second," he said; of this he was firm and would do what he needed to in order to convince Aquene. Had she declined to lead with him, his adopted son would have been his next ask. "I was thinking Matos as the other, unless you'd like someone else?" They didn't need two seconds of course, but it would be good to have them.

<p>Sam continued following the bee, which seemed completely oblivious to its shadow. She stalked along behind it until it left the small meadow and here she halted, glancing once again at her parents. They still watched her, and she thought if she disappeared from sight it might prompt them to end her play. She debated internally for a moment before turning around to find something else in the meadow to occupy herself with.</p>

<p>It didn't take long to find a spider spinning a complex web and Sam dropped down in the flowers, watching intently as it worked. How did spiders do that? Could she learn to weave something so pretty? She wanted to be able to make nice things. Maybe she could learn and gift it to mother! Mother might like something made out of the flowers. Perhaps after they stopped their travel. That would be even <i>better</i>, a special present for a special time! If that time ever came... </p>

She listened carefully to him, to whom he suggested and she offered a hum. It felt… odd, knowing they were all so grown. Multiple litters, all reaching adulthood even as their numbers dwindled and some of their more adventurous siblings wandered from home… some even perhaps coming to despise her. Children, she had learned, most often saved the worst for their mothers, and her own were no exception.

“Leo is an excellent choice, and I think Matos could step expertly into the role… in fact, I think perhaps Matos could even learn much from Leo in turn, if we were to suggest it also as a mentorship.” She offered with a certain finality as if she’d already decided that was going to be a discussion she had with Leo herself. Though not by blood, Leo was very much her child, her son… just as Matos was. They had been family for so long.

“Come, let us find a place to rest. The day has grown weary. Jessamy! Come on!" She said first to her husband before calling out to her daughter.

Aquene Slayer

Nash nodded along as his wife agreed. He didn't think she would disagree, but it was good to know she too had observed what he'd seen in his children - both adopted and born. "I think a mentorship is an excellent idea," he said. "We can talk to them once we've found a place to settle; I don't want to put too much on them while we're still traveling." Especially Leo, while he was still healing.

From there the conversation ended as she called to their daughter to cease her play and join them. Nash stood and shook himself before planting another affectionate kiss to his wife's cheek. "I'm grateful to have you by my side," he murmured. "I could ask for no one better." They'd been through much hardship, but they were weathering it together... he thought of their saying, back on the mountain, that if they fell they would already rise again. That much would remain true, even if it wasn't true in their old home.

Unbeknownst to Jessamy, things were shifting. Pieces were moving, their pack was settling - even if they didn't have a place. She was unaware of any conflict around her, except for that which she felt about being tied to her parents. That was workable, though. They were always moving, so she was never want for something to do.

When her mother called for her Jessamy didn't hesitate to obey, bouncing back through the meadow to her parents' sides and circling around them. She grinned up at them, pleased with how much freedom she'd had that day, and was content to follow them back to wherever they chose for the night. Tomorrow would bring new adventures, the future ever marching on.

i want to turn you loose

watch you bloom