Now that he was feeling better and his strength was returning, Pyrrhic was determined to make up for lost time with his kids. They were getting so big - one physically more than the other - and he felt like if he didn't pal around with them now soon they'd be too big and grown up to be silly with their dad. The thought honestly scared him. Yes, he wanted them to grow up eventually, but not for a long (long) time. He lived in fear of the day they were so big they didn't need him anymore. Part of him, and it was a big part, was afraid that day would come and he would have done so little in their lives that they wouldn't miss him. Was it an irrational feeling? Yes, definitely; and while he could intellectually wrap his head around it, emotionally he couldn't shake it. The virus had stolen so much valuable time from them that he felt hard pressed to make it right.

"Asmodeus?" he called softly. He was trying his best to rouse his son from where he was at without alerting his daughter. Dantalian was just jealous enough to pitch a fit if she found out Pyrrhic was planning on doing something with Asmodeus and not her. Even knowing he planned on taking her somewhere later probably wouldn't be enough to dissuade her from pouting or throwing herself at his feet in protest. Heaven forbid she feel the slightest brush of injustice.

Asmodeus was a very light sleeper unlike most others of his age. Even slumbering deeply the boy was always inwardly awaiting adventure, listening for his name and prepared to answer it's call at any time of day. At the sound of his father's voice his eyes peeked open, tail beginning to beat unwillingly against his mother's side in excitement. It was so rare an occasion that Pyrrhic called for just one of the siblings and Deus was not going to ruin this for himself, he squirmed slowly out from Riva's soft fur and padded very slowly and carefully step by step towards Pyrrhic.

It wasn't until he was nearly touching his nose to his dad's leg that his excitement got the better of him, his attempt at stealth instantly dropping as he threw himself at the Abraxas man's leg for a hug. All four small limbs enclosed around the much larger appendage, his cheek rubbing up affectionately into the fur. He wanted to ask what they were doing today, but worried he couldn't keep his voice soft enough to not wake his sister.

Pyrrhic was on the verge of calling again when he heard the rhythmic thumping of a tail. Soon enough he spied his son coming to him through the gloom. The slow, careful steps were at odds with the happy tail he'd heard moments before and he couldn't help but wonder if his son too was aware of Dantalian's jealousy. The thought brought a faint smile to his lips. His kids were so smart. Even this simple act of foresight made him happy. Pyrrhic knew it was the sort of thing he couldn't share with anyone else except maybe Riva. No one else would understand why it was such a great thing or why it made him so proud except maybe another parent. Knowing that didn't diminish his happiness any.

At the last second Asmodeus threw his arms around Pyrrhic's leg in a big hug. Pyrrhic of course dropped his head down to his son's shoulders and wrapped his free leg around him. In a low whisper that would hopefully no disturb either of the den's other inhabitants, Pyrrhic murmured, "Morning partner. What would you say to a day of just you and me? Whatever you want." He meant it too. If his son wanted to chase frogs and eat bugs then Pyrrhic would be chasing frogs and eating bugs right there with him.

His dad's affection made Deus' heart feel near to bursting, he nodded his very enthusiastic agreement directly up and down Pyrrhic's leg, his ears flapping madly with the motion. Having the schedule put into his little paws was a wild notion and opened up countless opportunities for a wicked day of fun, Deus knew already that he'd struggle to decide. Being as he was still thinking anyways, there was no rush to release Pyrrhic's leg and be the first out of the quiet den. Happy to hold onto his dad all day long, he gave a soft thoughtful hum so the Abraxas man would know he was carefully considering.

What sort of adventure was special enough for Deus to share with his father? Hunting or fighting lessons he could request from a half a dozen Aerie members, and chasing woodland creatures was something he could drag Danta along with surely. Any Abraxas could teach him more on their gods, and his mother fit in more than enough lessons on herbs and plants and the world around him - like why he shouldn't crush bees.

After a moment of thought, he had it. He arched his head up to meet his dad's ear, his tail beginning to thump once more as he whispered his request. "Can you help me pull a prank on mom?" Stealthily he took a glance over his shoulder, ensuring that Riva was in fact still asleep.



"Speech"

Pyrrhic watched as his son lit up and, unable to resist, he grinned back at the boy. Asmodeus' precious mirth was contagious. It was yet more proof that he had the best son. He could practically see the wheels turning in the boy's mind as he considered his options. Had he given him too many options? It was probably a little late to really calculate his odds on spending his day digging for - and pretending to eat - worms. He thought his kids were past that stage but how certain of that was he really? Not certain enough.

The wheels turned and turned, and as each second passed Pyrrhic became more and more convinced it was going to be an interesting day. He would stick to whatever his son wanted because he'd said he would, but if he had to direct him onto less um, shall we say, stereotypical little boy games he would do his best, but if it was bug catching or throwing rocks at monkeys, welp, sign him up.

Finally Asmodeus seemed to settle on something. He stretched up for Pyrrhic's ear so naturally Pyrrhic leaned down just a little. The answer almost made Pyrrhic laugh out loud. Excellent. He allowed himself a low, breathy chuckle before whispering back, "You betcha. Should we plan outside?"

With his father's approval received, Deus' tail thumping down upon the den floor was becoming loud enough that surely someone would wake soon, and they couldn't have that. He reluctantly released the leg as Pyrrhic directed their plans to be made outside, and then resumed his extra-careful stealthy ninja footsteps until he'd crossed out from the mouth of the den. Once a safe distance away, he glanced behind him to make sure his dad was following and then began to bounce up and down as his boundless energy manifested itself. "What can we do?! What can we do?!" The pup asked excitedly, already imagining how much better at pranking his father must be in his old age. "We could... we could.." He spun in circles, gaze roaming around the territory for ideas. "We could put something in her bed, or paint a dot on her forehead, or, or..." SO many ideas, little Deus was ripe to explode for the third time today.



"Speech"