The afternoon sun felt blazing after the deep and oppressive winter chill. It couldn't have been pushing past forty but he was uncomfortable warm, sitting among the vibrant green shoots of grass and staring down at the swollen river before him. It had broken up with a fury, winter ice cascading away with the growing warmth, and had left an equally enraged twin behind. Luckily their gently rolling landscape meant the water had more places to go, so while there was a lot of water it wasn't exactly devastating event... So far. Mithras sighed, knowing it was still early into the melt and that the north likely had plenty of fuel yet. Despite the season's 'tah-dah!' entrance, things were good! His pack had a good solid foundation, things were coming together, and as of then they still hadn't been assaulted by their new neighbors! He had chalked the formation up to a win. The bad news was that his alpha duties made it a little harder to spend time with his girls, but at least he had more eyes out for anything that might give his girls a hard time. It was an added comfort which helped to balance out the nigh constant stress. You know, mostly. Okay, so he was still trying to find a routine, but anyone who expected him to be perfect at this shit clearly hadn't been paying attention. He lowered her large frame to the ground, eyes drifting beyond the river to the horizon behind it. Everything he could see and more was all his... It was an inspiring. And somewhere beyond that infinite possibility lay other packs, other leaders he'd have to treat with before long. But perhaps that was something for tomorrow's consideration, or maybe the heat was just making him lazy. "Talk" "You" Think

The changing of the season was welcome as they went from the warm of the south to the not so warm of the more northern south. She wouldn't feel the chill in her bones any longer and the possibility of frozen solid children was no longer such a fright. She was somehow free of them right now, one of their new members had offered to watch them for her that afternoon. As she made her way over the territory the pixie would find her dark paws carrying her to the swollen river. Or maybe more specifically Mithras. Her bright blue gaze would land on him, causing her to pause as she looked him over. He was such a regal creature when he tried hard enough. She'd smile as childhood memories passed through her mind of times spent on the ocean and on his back. She felt so old now despite still being so young, maybe that had to do with having her children. Needing to be mature and responsible, she had lives to take care of now. Everything was different. Slowly she'd pick up her steps once again, and quietly would make her way to Mithras's side. Silence would reign as she took a seat close to his shoulder, a soft smile on her features as she looked out over the horizon with him. "Talk" "You" Think

Mithras wasn't sure how long Faria had been there watching him, and he didn't notice her approach at all until he heard her moving behind him and actually bothered to pay attention to the air. He let didn't bother to break the silence as she walked up closer until she was at last sitting at his side. It was a nice silence, something he'd almost forgotten could exist anywhere at all. He let the ground birds chirp and whistle a moment longer before he bothered opening his jaw. "Let's be honest, you always knew a I was a bit too big for my pelt," he joked in a lazy tone. "I was just destined for greatness!" He threw her a crooked grin and a dry laugh. Mithras probably couldn't have been more sarcastic if he tried, and he hoped it'd make her laugh. Mith had never been anything but a ruffian and a rule breaker. The ground beneath his paws was still damp from the spring rains, but the sun was starting to really get it in gear, and he started to smell the water rising up in the air along with the heady smell of earth. It was a nice place; much nicer now with the winter fading fast into memory. "Sooo... what do you think of the new digs? Be harsh, I can take it." It was one of the first times they'd been able to really talk since Argead had formed, at least without the girls interrupting, but it seemed like recently they were lost within the new leash he'd given them. Faria's opinion hadn't been available when he'd called them all together, but he'd wished for it. After all, her judgement has always been better than his. "Talk" "You" Think

They'd enjoy their moments of silence for a long moment, letting it settle over them like a comfortable blanket. Of course perfection wouldn't last and at last Mithras's words sneaked from his lips. Tilting her head she'd swing her gaze to his features, showing off a toothy grin is response to his words. "Greatness indeed mr. alpha." Already he was 1,000 times better than the leader of their clan back across the ocean. She'd shudder softly at the thought of being there again, and almost unconsciously she'd lift her right front foot to look at the marred paw pads. Something she could have died for were it not for Mithras. She'd return her gaze to him as he asked her opinions of the land he had chosen, and she couldn't say there were any real complaints. "It's not the south, but it's certainly not as bad as it could be." She'd giggle, shifting so she could nudge his massive neck with her shoulder playfully. It was nice talking to him one on one, it had been impossible for a long time now. The girls had always been there to worry about. So really their last real conversation had been at their conception, and none of those could be considered real conversations. "Talk" "You" Think

She matched him snark for snark, and forced him into a fit of laughter. Mr. Alpha indeed. It was reassuring to him somehow, knowing that Faria had not fallen for the 'mature' and 'collected' man he was trying to become. It was nice to know that he still had that with her, above all else. This could never be any different between them, really. They had too much history, and now more than ever. At length she'd answer his second question, and he scoffed. "I ought to be offended! Not so bad? Hmpf!" He turned away and turned up his snout in mock offense. "All the other lands reeked of overpopulation, and three-fourths of anything worth its piss here was some sort of desert!" So yeah, basically it just wasn't the south. He missed their ancient, mystical forests. He'd always felt at home there, more connected, but he wouldn't dare try to stake a claim on that beautiful wilderness. So he'd opted to leave a piece of his soul behind instead. "We'll go visit often," he promised in a quiet voice, but whether he spoke to her or himself he wasn't sure. "Talk" "You" Think

They really were best friends, despite life trying to rip them apart, in that moment it didn't feel like anything had changed. She'd shrug off his words, offended? Pah, he'd told her he could take it to begin with so she felt no sense of regret. She would grin widely as he messed with her, telling about the rest of the land around here. Taken or desert. She almost didn't catch the last bit, and her bright eyes would catch him in his dreamy trance. "Will we?" She'd ask him, wanting to know if he'd actually meant to include her in that statement. "I can hear Caia now, 'take me with you' or 'you better not come back with anymore babies!" She'd find it amusing, but the last time they'd tried to do something fun together they'd gone too far. That's how they were though, taking everything to the extreme including their relationship. Faria still wouldn't consider their lack of judgement a real mistake, knowing Mithras like that... She'd feel her cheeks warm a bit as her mind wandered. "Talk" "You" Think

Faria broke him out of that trance-like state with a simple yet utterly confusing question. She sounded quiet and sad and doubtful, but of course they were going back. Of course he was taking her! It wouldn't be the same without her, not to mention he'd burn in hell before he ever let her out of his sight again. Aloud, he scoffed. "As if I'd let the girls grow up without knowing their Diamachi heritage! And we all know they'll need you to keep them in line because I'm obviously incapable of that," he said with a wide, wry grin. Him and the girls alone in the wilderness? Gods have mercy, no, they could not afford to leave Faria behind. At mention of his sister, her cringed. He still ached from her return. "She's been avoiding me, I think," he mumbled under his breath. "Or at least she's been scarce. Not that that's unusual, just... I don't know, I miss her is all." He closed off his rambling speech with an audible click of the jaw. Maybe it was stress, but he was having a harder and harder time keeping his ooey-gooey emotions under control. Damn the father in him! Still, he hadn't had a chance to sit down with Faria, Cerse, and Caia yet, but he desperately wanted to. He made a point to set it up soon. "Talk" "You" Think

Bright blue eyes would linger on the father of her children as he scoffed at her words, like there shouldn't have ever been any doubt in the first place. She'd smile softly, warmly, knowing he meant what he said. He had a point too, the girls knew very well they could get away with murder when their dad was involved. Once everyone as settled in and had their fill of the new lands they would take a vacation south, this she had no doubt about. "You're so right, its scary." There was no denying there needed to be two or more adults to watch the girls. She wasn't sure she would have allowed them to go down with only their father. She wouldn't miss his cringe at the mentions of Caia, she'd gotten quite a licking the last time she'd seen her, she couldn't imagine what Mith might've gone through. "She'll be back around, if your charms don't do it she could never resist our adorable trio." Though said trio was adorable they were equally as troublesome. "Talk" "You" Think

Faria assured him that Caia would come around, and he dearly hoped she was right. He didn't want the girls to grow up without knowing their aunt! Also he knew she'd do anything to protect them, even more so in his absence. He just wanted to talk to her like they used to, back when they were both a little more numb to the world. He sighed and looked skyward. "Oh well, we'll see!" Mithras blew out a breath, as if winded by worrying about his sister. Only a moment passed before he began to feel awkward, and he hurried to fill the silence. "Wanna play a game?" He didn't bother waiting for her reply. "What kind of mates do you think the girls will find?" He was curious to find out what she thought (and worried as any dad might be). Well, that train of thought led him to keeping potential suitors far, far away. He wondered absently if he'd be able to train a bear. Oh, or a passel of boar to guard his borders? Wouldn't that be cool! He pulled himself out of his thoughts so that he'd actually be able to hear her if and when she replied. He imagined the odds of her finding a vibrant mate her slim, but what else would that leave them? Browns and greys and blacks? Hmpf. They might have to find something to do about that. Mithras wasn't much to care for bloodline, but what would they look like? It was certainly food for thought! - Mithras

Faria held the same feelings, she wanted Caia to know their daughters, knew she would be just as protective as she and Mithras were. They were lucky to have such a devoted family. They might have been small, but their love for one another was impossible to imagine. She knew they would do anything for each other, and that's what helped her sleep at night. The brilliant colored she wolf would shift slightly, her form coming to lean on Mith's shoulder as she lowered herself to the ground. He'd ask about a game and she found herself perking her ears curiously, what kind of game did he have in mind? The next question he asked hadn't been expected at all and Ria's mouth would fall open slightly as she digested what he'd asked. She didn't want them to repeat their story, accidentally getting pregnant much too early... They'd only been pups when they were conceived, and they'd had to grow up real fast once they'd been born. Most of the time she figured Mith still was that happy go lucky pup, but it was questions like this that would make her doubt. "Do you want what I think or what I hope for?" She hadn't put much thought into it, her babies only being babies after all. They were waaaaaaaaaay too young to be thinking about mates and marriage... and babies. She was too young to be a grandmother. "I hope they find someone they love, who is kind to them and takes care of them." But what was stopping them from making the same mistakes as their parents. "I just don't want them to have to go through what we did." "Talk" "You" Think

Faria's words hit him hard, partially because he was upset with himself for agreeing with her. It felt as if things were askew, as if he was still waiting for the real blow to come. He was still waiting for the catch, for the downside, but for now? ... Things were okay. Too okay, and Faria said she hoped that they never had to go through what their parents had. Was this really so bad though? Mithras frowned, and thought for a moment on how best to express his thoughts. He didn't want to completely discount her feelings, he just figured he felt kind different. I mean sure, he didn't want them to be thrown into something without any sort of preparation, but as long as they ended up happy... He settled with that. "As long as they're happy where and with who they end up with, I'll be happy." You know, probably. He couldn't promise he wouldn't pull the whole over protective dad thing, but there would be time enough for plenty of that later. "Talk" "You" Think

She'd listen curiously as Mithras seemed to complete his thought, she couldn't say that she couldn't disagree. They had smart girls, they'd be happy in where ever they ended up. Faria didn't want her babies to have to make the same messes that she did. "I'd be okay with that." Eventually she'd verbalize, nodding her head softly. As long as they were happy, there was nothing they could complain about. "What brought this on anyway?" She'd eventually ask, curious why he'd be so eager to think specifically about their future significant others. While Ria had been more caught up in the here and now, realizing how fast her babies were growing up but also not noticing. They were closing in on their adult height, but that didn't mean she didn't see them as her teeny tiny children still. If she had been given a choice she would have preferred they never grow up. Cute little tiny star babies forever. "Talk" "You" Think