let slip the dogs of war

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.