It's wild like the river It's warm like the sun

Zee asked for his comfort, but ultimately the Warlord knew she would be alright. He squeezed her paw and stepped back as the kids started to appear. Giving space for them to approach and cuddle her. Aris first, and then Gossy. Briar appeared as a more hesitant figure, and the Warlord began to move around the outskirts, heading towards the horned child.

He bumped gently against her. He had seen more of Briar than his other kids lately. She was a steady, constant presence in his life. His lifeline. The confusion in her eyes hurt, but he understood. Zee back from the dead… it had hurt as much as it had joyed him. A painful twining of the two. Bitter and sweet. He would not show that part to the children. They needed stability, they needed to see that things would be okay. He lowered his head down to whisper softly in Briar’s ear “I know.” he said simply, pulling her towards him. It would be a lie if he didn’t admit at least to himself that he needed a little support himself. The ground seemed shaky beneath him, constants in life were suddenly interchangeable.
“I know. But they couldn't let the shadows of these last few months hold them. Couldn't let them overwrite the good times. Of kissing scraped knees and holding them close. Zee had always cherished her children, while Sirius had been the stern defender and teacher, she had been the open arms.

“I know it’s scary, but a chance to see again those that we believed lost to us? you've been given a gift. Your mother went through hell. I won’t tell you all of it now, but she went through hell for the chance to see you again. To see how you’ve grown, and kiss your bruised knees. Go, hug her, and we can figure out the rest later.” He kissed her crown and gave her a soft nudge, before moving to the other hesitant face.

Ophelia. Where had she been hiding? He felt he had barely seen her, and… that round belly defied the training he had first put his children through. It was secondary to everything else going on right now, it was secondary to her being okay. He reached her and tugged gently at Oph’s ear. “Your mother will never admit to it, but she loves stinky hugs the most” he whispered, referring to the way the girl had always hated a bath. He smiled at her in support, “We need to talk Oph, I’m here for you, okay?” too much change in the girls life, the stressing eating proved that. A part of him wanted to berate her - over using resources, putting herself into a position where she would not be able to defend her home… but no. No, he could not let that side rise in him. He settled for kissing her crown as well, and giving her an encouraging nudge forward.

The second to last of them to arrive, Kotori needed no such encouragement. He went straight to their mother, although his response was a lot more contained then Gossy and Aris. Returning to the hugging family, he grinned, and ruffled Ko’s ears. “I know.” he said simply. And then Mortis was there, completing the circle of who he knew would come. Some part of him still glanced up - looking to see Azure, of Indigo, or Asla. a silent plea that would go unanswered. Then his vision was shrouded by dark velvet feathers as Mortis wrapped his wings about all of them, and held them close. The Warlord stood at the fringes of those wings hold. His larger frame harder to shelter. That was okay. Together, Father and heir linked those broken pieces of their lives. Zee was here, and she had her babies in her arms again.

"Speech"