These little monsters were driving her mad. They had been cooped up in the den for just long enough, and now they were grown enough to withstand the cold. The morning was still young, the sun was just rising. Yet, the children were awake. Their squabbling was grating, and the pallid woman had had enough. Rising slowly to her paws, she levelled Divo with a hard look. The little one was struck with the expression of a deer in the headlights. With a heavy sigh, she nodded her head towards the mouth of the cavern. "Бегите, маленькие монстры. Мир ждет, и я устал от вашей беспредельности." She announced, taking a few steps towards the snow laden grounds beyond the cave.

Poking her head out into the ruddy light of the dawn, she made sure there were no predators lurking. Sure enough, the coast was clear. "Я уверен, что твой отец скоро будет здесь." She announced, and with a gentle paw, tapped the rump of her middle child. It was time for them to be released from the confines of the whelping den, and see what the world had to offer.

BEEN CHASIN' DREAMS Darya was still the big one. It was annoying. Thus, the little rosy child was ready to assert dominance. "Вставай, Дарья! Ленивый кусок!" The babe cried, giggling like mad. Divo wanted to do something, and prove that she was the strongest sibling. So far, Darya never put up resistance to her attacks. It was lame! Dom was too busy eating all the time, trying to get big, apparently. When mama raised her great big head, Divo knew she was in trouble. The long stare of her tired mama shut her up right away. "Бегите, маленькие монстры. Мир ждет, и я устал от вашей беспредельности." Her mama said, looking annoyed. A soft gasp was sucked from between her tiny jaws, and the girl bounded towards the mouth of the cave. It was time to explore! Time to get out! See the world! Oversized paws tumbled over one another as the little one tried to beat all the other pups to the outside world. Mama beat her to it, of course. She peeked outside, and now Divo was worried. What was out there? "Я уверен, что твой отец скоро будет здесь." Mama said, much calmer now. No sooner had she said that, than she shoved Divo right out into the snow. Ah! Tumbling into the white powder, the little child found herself dumbstruck. It was cold! Too cold! "Холодно! Холодно! Мама, мне сейчас холодно!" She cried, bouncing up and trying to shake the worst of it off of herself. "Давайте, ребята! Чего же ты ждешь?" She called to her siblings, giddy with the taste of freedom on her tongue. She leapt through the snow, searching for a good spot to play. "speech" BUT I NEVER SLEPT

The girl was, as usual, allowing Divo to attack her. Darya felt no real desire to fight back against her smaller sister, indeed she didn't see the reason Divo attacked her at all. All things considered it probably would have been easy enough for her to win, young as she was she was already quite clearly bigger than her sisters. 

But no instead she refused to fight and even when Divo demanded she do so the girl simply gave a non committal shake of her head and sighed. What she really wanted was to explore. She'd already discovered every nook and cranny of the den multiple times over. She wanted to see outside but every time she'd snuck towards the entrance of the den she'd either been called back by her siblings or mother or had found that just beyond it's entrance guards lay in wait. It seemed to her that her mother had assured every opportunity would lead to the girl's failure. 

Indeed when her mother invited her children to leave Darya narrowed her eyes a bit, not sure she actually trusted what her mother was saying. That was until she pushed Divo beyond the entrance. Now that, that caught the girl's attention. 

Instantly Darya was on her paws inching towards the lip of the cavern. Outside Divo called back to her and Dom and that was all she needed to launch herself clumsily into the snow. Which was cold! With a squeal she jumped back for a second, shaking the cold wet from her fur. This time, more prepared she once more leaped into the world beyond the den. A high laugh tumbling from her lips as she rolled and tumbled in the snow. 

The world was a swirling mess of lights and color and scents, some she recognized as her vexing guards and many many more she did not. But for now she was more focused on digging her way to the bottom of the snow layer, determined to find what lay beneath.

She'd been feeding as much as her mom would let her, and ignoring alot of the more aggressive antics of divo. She even submitted readily to her sister. She had not acquired any of her father or elder siblings dominating will. Not even realizing what danger this placed herself in. She didn't know rolling over for every one would possibly lead her into danger. That much of her family could kill her for this. 

For now though she was safe. She had no interest in the outside world or what her sisters wanted with from there. The powder held no interest for her and neither did the cold. Her mother rising brought a pout to her and she looked after her as she moved away. The runt merely laid there and watched. She was not curious and saw only the fact that her siblings wee leaving. This was slightly concerning but she watched anyway. Even her mother's words did not budge her. She felt no need to leave. She was quiet and as always a truly gentle soul. Her had unbeknowingly beat her into submissive behavior already. With divo dominating everyone and darya always pushing her out of the way in her youngest days she had been molded enough. She waited. 

When they exited and were no longer in sight she crawled forth. She sunk inot the shadows at the den entrance and watched with her head on her paws. Playing was not on her agenda. Divo would win anyways and darya  was too big to be messed with. She perfered much gentler things anyways. Her eyes watched for her favorite. Dad was always good for snuggling and dozing with. He didn' spoil her intentionally but he couldn' help it when his youngest was too gentle to resist. She knew he worried though. He' spoken when she dozed to her mom recently about how her not growing fast like the others and her submissive nature bothered him. She but didn't see the reason behind it. She was fine right? 

Ome question begged though. Where were the guards who had warned her away from following him and from coming out to greet him time and again. It had really only taken twice and she knew better. She was smart. Though the first snap from the fat man had her rolling on her back and her dad coming between them. She liked the girl guards better. They didn' snap like he did. They were pushy and mouthy but we're ot quick to snap at her. 

He'd taken off this morning. Bees recent attitude with his sisters needed to be fixed and he intended to track him down and lecture him. Though it had been to no avail. Bee had vanished and Sam had to give up so he could get lirika a meal. This was tedious. He'd left sath and mammon in charge of keeping their eyes on the place.

He had taken to sleeping in the den to be close to the youngest of his children. Every morning he did push micah and Forfax out to play and explore. They were big enough he worried less about them. Though he was constantly reminding them to stay close and to be back by sunset. He did keep a constant supply of food though so they could eat when they wanted. He kept it hidden in a den he dug not far from lirika's. It was usually kept stocked with fresh food for any of his kids including Bee, by himself and any of his children willing to help.

He moved though now. With a small fawn in his jaws he was set to return. He knew the pups were becoming rambunctious except little Dom who seemed to be only interested in gentle and quite things like snuggling or games of 20 questions. Really did she ever run out of how's and why's?

He bounded over a dune of snow and his eyes met the sight of his children emerging. Likely they were driving lirika insane enough today. He moved straight for her and dropped the fawn in front of her before eying the situation. Snow covered his ankles so it was deep enough they had to expend alot of energy to push through it. His eyes moved to the den as only two emerged and lo and behold their third was staying inside. He aimed to bump his nose under lirika's chin and bring her attention to Dom. "Seems our snowflake is against testing the world...." there was worry in his voice as he kept it low so only she understood. His other children had all been eager to flee the den. Yet this daughter puzzled him. She was so tiny, vulnerable. And she had nary a mean bone in Her, she rolled over at the first grumbles of growls and submitted too easily.

Her only chance of living was if Michael and the others never knew this. If they never knew she existed she could stay safe. Lirika needed to take her to her homeland and keep her there. It was the only way he saw to keep her safe, unless... that might do it. If he could convince Gabe to take her and raise her she might have a chance. It would kill him to let her go unprotected but she'd never be safe with him until his pack rose. His eyes moved to divo and darya then. They would always be safe enough he figured. Aside from Dar not wanting to fight that was. His little marvel couldn't get enough fighting though. He planted his rump then and watched. They wouldn't be leaving his sight. Yet.

Divo did not enjoy the cold. That much was obvious when the cries of indignation arose in the air. A soft giggle would erupt from her jaws, eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. The poor thing! Divo would need to get used to the cold, it would follow her everywhere she went. The middle child immediately summoned the others to enjoy the first foray into the world. Moonstone gaze would rove towards the den, where Darya was creeping closer. The largest child had been climbing the walls, desperate for an adventure. Now that it was in front of her, the dark girl seemed skeptical. It was adorable, in all honesty. "Я не обманываю тебя, маленькая тень." She promised her eldest, smiling warmly. Dark paw extended to offer her the world, hers for the taking. Within a moment, she leapt forth with abandon. Apparently she was more wary than Divo, and instantly recoiled. She shook the snow from her fur, looking horrified. Another peal of soft laughter emerged from her jaws, crown lowering to snuffle at her daughter's fur. After a moment's preparation, Darya shoved off into the powder. The snow engulfed her, and the little shadow disappeared into its embrace. The bell-like giggles of her child rolling through the snow, limbs flailing wildly, were music. It was magic, to watch them experience winter for the first time. Her eyes prickled briefly with tears. Oh come now, Lirika. She chided herself. This wasn't a moment for tears. Darya started to burrow through the snow. She would no doubt be disappointed when she hit the layer of thick ice that would be near the ground. There was no sign of Dominika yet. Delicate cranium would swivel, seeking the smallest child. The girl, who bore her dark stockings, was laid out near the entrance. Head on her paws, she was tucked against the wall. Watching with those pretty blue eyes, but not participating. Had she done something wrong, and broken this one? Her brother had always been quiet, brooding, in their childhood. Perhaps this one simply took after him. She prayed that Dominika would not inherit his anger. Crunch, crunch, crunch. Samael emerged from the valley with a miniscule fawn. A premature one, no doubt from a young doe who had aborted it to save herself. The father of her children released the tiny creature at her feet, coming to stand by her side at the entrance of the den. His snout lowered, nudging her attention to the youngest pup oh so gently. "Seems our snowflake is against testing the world...." he murmured, and she sighed lightly. "I do worry for her. Do you think perhaps one of your eldest would be willing to take her on a short trip? Perhaps new scenery would help her become more eager." She said in reply, vocals soft and breathy. The littlest one was so quiet, she hoped it was not in regards to her health. "If she continues to worry me when Spring arrives, I will take her to see the woman who checked their health when I was pregnant." She assured the male, glancing up at him. Samael lowered his haunches to the ground at the mouth of the den, but Lirika was tired of the cave. She padded through the snow a few paces, and settled herself amidst her playing children. "Доминика, приди и сядь с мамой. Вам не нужно играть, но я думаю, вы хотели бы увидеть солнечный свет на горах, нет?" She crooned warmly, beckoning with one ink dipped forepaw. She made the space between her elbows wider, and settled her tail to her side. She would keep her daughter warm, and they would watch the sun glitter on the snow capped mountains together. "speech"

BEEN CHASIN' DREAMS Darya piled into the snow too, and it was fun! When she rolled, Divo rolled too. The little one didn't want to miss any of the fun! Even if Darya wouldn't wrestle, they could still have fun! Covered in loose powder, the child bounced to her feet with a rapturous cry. More snow was flying, but it was going in the wrong direction. Wait, what? Brows drawn together and ears shoved forward, the child went to investigate. Darya was digging in the snow! Fun! Peering through the flurry at her sister, Divo was suddenly eager to join the fun. "Я тоже!" Divo squealed. Divo didn't notice that Dom wasn't here. It completely went over her head, she was too excited to dig too! Tiny tail wagged back and forth, wriggling her entire body with excitement. "Я тоже!" Divo barked again, hoping Darya would let her join in. Two were better than one, right? Da was here! With food! Odd eyed gaze zeroed in on the immense form of her father, and she toppled over in her rush to get to him. With a face full of snow, the little one was vexed for a moment. Where did that come from? It took a few moments to arrange her limbs beneath herself, but when they were together, she went looking for da again. Where did he go so fast? Whipping her head around, the babe located him. Da was too big to miss, and when Divo found him with mama, she started galloping towards the den again. Food! Da! Mama! It was all so exciting! "Da! Посмотри наружу! За пределами!" The child cried gleefully, tumbling towards him. Landing in a pile at her parents' feet, the child was nothing but happy. The food was still warm! Wait. Dom! The smallest of the bunch was huddled near the mouth of the den, up against the wall. "Dom! За пределами! Снег веселый! Приходите, Дом! Пожалуйста?" Divo pleaded, seeking to jostle her sister's shoulder with her front paws. Wait, where was mama going? Her long, dark legs cleared a path through the snow. The tracks ruined the clean, untouched layer. Aw, boo! Mama gestured towards them both. "Доминика, приди и сядь с мамой. Вам не нужно играть, но я думаю, вы хотели бы увидеть солнечный свет на горах, нет?" She said. Stamping her paws on the stone floor of the den, Divo danced in place a little. "Видеть? За пределами!" She demanded, her whole body shivering with excitement. Dom needed to see it too! It was so much fun! "Да, скажи дому!" She cried to her father, whirling around to face him. Baleful expression would overtake her, begging for her father to make Dom have fun with them. It wouldn't be right to play without her! "speech" BUT I NEVER SLEPT

Divo joined her in her frolicking and then drawn by her digging joined her in that too. She pushed back slightly to make room for her smaller sibling and then kept digging, tiny paws flinging snow in all directions. Then claws scratched against a hard surface and Darya pulled back, a look of puzzlement on her face as she eyed the strange unknown substance. The ice was a mix of dirt and snow and it's strange brownness puzzled the girl.  Darya shoved her face back in her hole for a moment, tiny teeth bouncing off the ice as she tried to bite it or grab it or something. "Мама, что это?" She asked quizzically, pulling back again.  But at that moment her question was drown out by the excitement of her father approaching. The warm, metallic scent of blood greeted her as she rushed to push up against her father's forelegs while he talked to mama, his words were in the tongue he had started teaching them in and she parroted the word that caught her attention. Woorl' woorl'!" She barked.  Then Mama and Divo went back to the den, it seemed Dom hadn't joined them. But Darya wasn't about to go back to the den, now when she had just been let out! Instead she approached the unmoving form with the cloying gamy scent. She poked at it with her paw, it was warm! She could see a pair of eyes set in it's skull, and though she was too young to know for certain some instinctual part of the pup knew the thing had been a living creature.  Darya pawed at it again, a whine pulling from her lips. "Да почему он не двигается? Не играть?" She looked at her father, hellfire gaze swimming in equal parts curiosity and worry. She was worried for the weird lanky thing and it's blank gaze. Walk "Говорить" Think