Getting all of the puppies to move from A to B was like herding cats. It seemed easy in theory, like most things, but it wasn't. It just wasn't. Their legs were so short and they got tired easily, distracted even easier and then they got hungry. Rinse and repeat. Even with the other members of the band helping to keep them corralled it took longer than Oki had anticipated, but they had fun on the way down and spending time with his family was always time well spent, in his humble opinion.

Taking a moment to pluck Maki from the depths of a bush she was tangled up in, he glanced over his shoulder. The border to Ashen was just ahead, just a little further! It still felt strange to him that they had moved west, but he figured his mum knew best.

"HEY MUM!" He shouted, figuring she'd hear him and come over. Save them from seeking her out amongst all this greenery. "Look who I brought!" An army of younguns' thats what.

It would be nice to see Venom again. To meet her new brood and see the place where she had moved Ashen. A lot had changed since their separation and Celeste would happily admit that she was eager to catch up. Now that she wasn't laden with pups all too big for her petite frame, she was in a considerably better mood. Even as they made their way to the ravine, the rambunctious pups trying to get into trouble, Cel smiled and enjoyed the journey. Playing referee between the boys and surely Unagi, it wouldn't be long before one or all of them got into a tussle. Thankfully she wouldn't have to worry much about Aji and Delphi as they would ride together for most of the way. So she slowed to stand by Cy and bump shoulders with her. "Ready for a big puppy play date?" She whispered to the wraith as they stopped upon the boundary and Oki called out for the Empress.

Being the smallest of the bunch, it would not take long for Delphi to convince her sister to let her ride upon her back. Unlike her typical rambunctious self, Delphi would snooze most of the way when her sister didn't need a break. With the warm sun upon their backs and the sway of her sister's walk, falling asleep was just so easy! It wasn't until they started to get close to the ravine that she really started to stir and get interested. Her bi-colored gaze stared interestingly at the pretty surroundings. The lush grass, the tall trees, the streams of light pouring in from above. This place was way cooler than where they were staying! Leaping down from Aji's back as their dad started hollering to someone, she sunk down into the grass and tried to hide herself so she could surprise whoever it was they were meeting.

Quite some time had passed since Kuroki had appeared at her borders, lamenting the fact that the two women he was with had both become pregnant by him. As far as Venom knew these would be the first of her royal grand puppies, and there weren't many days that she didn’t think about meeting them. Like a good son, she knew the prince would make his way back to Ashen with his ladies and their children in tow. The Stargazer band was always welcome within Ashen’s borders, as she highly respected Celeste and Oki would always be her baby boy.

She was also eager for them to meet her own youths, though her younger litter were already growing into their own, closing in on their yearling status. She was always surprised at how swiftly they grew. Far too quickly for a sentimental mother like herself.

The sound of Kuroki’s loud voice had no trouble reaching her, some things never changed. She smiled and shook her head before swiftly making her way to where he entered the territory. As the Empress suspected he had brought his family to meet their grandmother and get in touch with their heritage. "Prince Kuroki, Celeste..” She gave a nod to both, but her sunset eyes couldn’t be kept from the precious puppies skittering around their parent’s paws. A wide grin crept over her features. "And who are these lovely little ones?”

"Venom & Maverick"

Cy couldn't say that she'd been looking forward to the Ashen trip, but she knew it was important to Oki. It was important to him, and it was good for the pups. Right, the things that they'd do for the children. It would be nice to well and truly get out, too. Get out, get a nice change of scenery, check out Ashen's new home-- sure. That was all well and good. Then came the question of actually herding the entire brood all the way into Ashen. How did anyone do this with only two parents? Even with three, it was chaotic. At least Aji was carrying Delphi, so she didn't risk falling behind the pups with longer legs. Really, they aught to get a wagon or something to keep the entire brood together. "Ready as I'll ever be." The remark is whispered back to Celeste, watching the pups as they tumble and roll about. Maki found herself in a bush already, thankfully it seemed like Oki already had the situation under control. It didn't take Venom long to arrive to greet the throng of children, her son, her daughter in law. Cy offered only a tight smile. She would pretend not to feel slighted in the moment. Moments like these, family moments, would never stop leaving her feeling like an outsider. There are so many of them, bound by blood. She doesn't get it. The wraith had never known what it was like. Even now, she feels like she's on the outside looking in. cyanide he said to be cool but i'm already coolest

Maki shook herself off once her pink paw pads were back on the ground, her tail wagging behind her in a grey blur. She didn't mind that Da had interrupted her attempt to become one with a bush, not when a big pretty lady was speaking so nicely to them! Da had called her...Mum..so did that mean she was Da's Ma? Her mismatched brows furrowed deeply as she thought about it, this was the Grammy he had spoken of? Oh, she was real pretty and seemed real nice too. Easily excited and carried away like most pups her age, she reared up onto her hind legs but struggled to stay upright. How did those big hoofed animals do it and make it seem so easy!

"Hello." Despite her excitement she was soft-spoken, a cheerful little cheep passing from her lips. "M'Maki."

This was an awfully long walk. Tama wasn't so sure he liked all this walkin' business. Too much of it, and already his little peets hurt. Maybe he could get dad to carry him on the way back... hopefully. Would they have to walk all the way back? Shoot... they were so little. So little, so much walkin', and he could barely remember where they were going. Tama would plod along, still not super remembering where they were going and why. Maki found a bush, and Tama busied himself picking some pretty yellow flowers to try to feed Delphi. It didn't hold his attention long, though, because some nice lady had come over and-- and called dad a prince. "Dad'sa prince?" Tama looked between the three of his parents in turn, brow furrowing, still gripping onto a couple stems of black eyed susans. Instead of trying to feed them to Delphi like originally planned, he brings them to Grammy instead, offering them up to her. "I'ma Tama," the words come out slushy, strung together, but good enough as he looks to Venom.