Backdated//before the raid

Well, if she was going to be a mom then she was going to do her damn best to... actually do it. Hazel didn't know what moms did, actually. Halo was the closest thing she'd ever had, and she's... not Halo. Hell no, she's not that gentle, she's not that patient. She couldn't live up to the example that the pale, soft creature had set. As with everything else, it seemed like Hazel was going to have to do this in her own way. Unconventional means of acquiring a kid would probably lead to unconventional ways of parenting them, and... here she was.

"Spider, wanna come hunting with me?" Hazel would... teach them something? Yeah, that seemed like a good place to start. The general trotted to the bottom of the ramp, calling up into the treehouse. Her tail wagged loosely behind her, and she was fairly relaxed. The days were still warm enough, still bright enough for now. Though winter was on the horizon, they still had some autumn left to soak up and enjoy. Where had that little black pup gotten off to, anyway?

"Speech"

As Araneae personal saviour, Hazel’s voice was sort of like birdsong to the child - melodic and alluring, dragging them to her side with efficient immediacy. the abandonment of Ex-Mum has left them raw and gaping, like a hole has been torn into their centre, and Araneae is constantly looking to fill it with the attentions of others…especially Hazel’s. it is for this reason that they all but teleport to the woman’s side, tail wagging eagerly behind them in eager circles. “yes please!! i wanna learn everything - how to hunt vole, and rabbits, and…ooh, do you think we’ll see a stag??” the very idea of dragging a stag home is so intoxicating that they need a moment to simply gaze off into the distance, eyes shining with the daydream. “speech”

Spider appeared promptly, bringing a broad smile to Hazel's face. The pup was excited to join her, and the General was grateful for that. They would find something good to hunt, something fun. They are kindred spirits, the two of them. A unique knowing, a unique understanding... Hazel remembers exactly how she was with the Warlord, exactly how she was with Halo. She'd force as much time for the child into her busy schedule as she could. It's important. Hell, thinking about herself in the present... she knows just how important it is.

The excitement in the pup's voice is tangible. Hazel smiles. "We might, let's see if we can track one down." She considers for a moment, licking her nose before tipping it skyward to assess the direction of the stiff autumn breeze. "Do you know what direction the wind is blowing, and why that might be important?" She tipped her head, asking the pup gently. Trying to figure out exactly where their lesson would begin. It's more than a simple hunt, but Hazel figured it would be more fun this way.

"Speech"

“okay!” Araneae watches eagerly as Hazel examines the direction of the wind, trying to emulate every minute movement. starry-eyed and excitable, it takes them a moment to calm down long enough to focus - but then they scrunch their eyes closed and poke out a long pink tongue, trying to discern the breeze’s trajectory. “hmm…north? no, wait…east!” their eyes snap open, gazing up at Hazel as they search for approval. “did i do it right?” in answer to Hazel’s second question, they furrow their brow and stare hard at their feet, as though the answer was hiding somewhere among the grass. “because…oh! oh! because that way we can tell where the prey is!” “speech”