It does not take long before the first face appears.
It's Tyranis, and Leera watches him without warmth as he observes the children who either slept or suckled at her teats. He appears content, smiling even, a fondness in his golden gaze that is entirely unfamiliar to Leera. She dips her chin at him slightly, any and all words that can be said witheld, and lets her gaze fall back onto the babes. "There are five," she crones softly to Tyranis. "There is strength in that number." She wants to tell him that she'd given him a bounty more than what his end of the bargain upheld, to tell him that she demands more for her overachievement of birthing a large litter, but there is a peace in this moment that she can't disturb -- not yet. Upon asking their names, Leera inhales and then gazes over the cubs with thought. "I have given you three sons: Tyto. Tornadic. Tythe." She pauses between each name and touches the respective pup gently with her nose, naming them. Tythe, she notices with a slight squeeze of her heart, is the smallest of the males. "And I have given you two daughters: Tsunami and Thlayli." For the first time, Leera removes her stare from the children and locks her hard, serious pink eyes on Tyranis. Her voice sharpens. "You will do right by them, Tyranis. Above all else, they live. They survive. Not us. Do you understand me?"
Her attention is broken by another face. This one, she's relieved to see. Not caring if she's overheard their conversation, Leera's face softens and she perks up. "Come closer, flower. Come see the children." she calls with ease, warmth, familiarity. If there is anyone who she'd trust, it is Nephthys. When she does, Leera licks her nose and nuzzles against her affection. The bronzed goddess then vows to protect the babies, all five of them, and Leera has expected nothing less: Nephthys' loyalty is something unbreakable. Leera's lips fall into a smile and she nods to her, a slight glaze coating her eyes.
Hannibal is next, and Leera is surprised that she's happy to see him. She smiles at him, still lying on her side to allow the newborns to feed. "Thank you for coming," she whispers to him, her hushed voice still filling the small den of tangled thickets.
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