It had been a while since they had spoken to their mother. Longer yet since they had spent some quality time with her. That was a shame, and the willowy youth sought to rectify that. Clutching a hare in their jaws, which they may or may not have stolen from their sister's den when she was sleeping, they made the ascent to the old den. Dom wouldn't miss it anyways, Da was always spoiling her. Ever since she'd been hurt, he had given her more attention, and lavished her in gifts. Well, if Divo couldn't get his love, they would steal whatever facsimile they could get their grubby mitts on. Elegant limbs worked against the rocky terrain, breath shuddering through their lungs with each step. After seasons of climbing up and down this path, it was trivial. A few boulders had shifted here and there during the rampant earthquakes that had shaken the continent this season, but they didn't change the path too much. At the thought of the earthquakes, they frowned around the hare. It probably wasn't too safe for their mama to be staying up here, with such turmoil in the earth. They would consult with the spirits over this, and ask their advice. After all, the spirits saw much more than they did, and they needed to practice. Poking their slender skull into the old den, they let out a soft bark for their mother. A blurry shape of white fur lay in the back of the den, on old furs. A crease formed between their brows. It was well into the afternoon, why was she still resting? A few fearless steps carried them further into the cavernous abode. After all, they had been born here. This was as much their home as their mother's. The limp, cold body of the hare dropped onto the stone floor with a dull thud. "Mama? Are you okay?" they questioned softly, worry prominent in their sonorous lyrics. "speech" THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVED, THE SUN WAS IN YOUR EYES

The day had brought with it pain. Her joints ached more than usual. Olya was still in the east, gathering the new growths of herbs that were blooming. She wouldn't be able to help today. Rather than push herself through the pain, the matriarch elected to take a day to rest. It wasn't like anyone needed her. Her children were grown, and their father seemed to loathe her very existence. Thus, she didn't have many responsibilities. Wallowing in self pity seemed as good a plan as anything for the day ahead. Broad paws crunched through the melting snow outside. A familiar scent wafted into her nostrils. Her dau- child. Divo. Mercury gaze fluttered open, drifting towards the entrance of the cave. It wasn't long before Divo's familiar features peeked into the cave. Evidently her pain was taking a toll, because concern was evident in her child's features even from that distance. Slowly, she lifted her head. Rolled onto her side, so that her hips turned towards the entrance. "Mama? Are you okay?" Divo questioned hesitantly. The phantom tried for a reassuring smile. "I am alright, my love. Your mother is simply getting old, is all." She chimed, accent much lighter than her child's. Side effect of being raised in a land where the common tongue was English. "Did you bring me lunch? How kind." The subject change would do her some good, rather than remaining on the topic of her own inadequacies. "speech"