At That Age

It had been a while since Satira had been able to spend any one-on-one time with either of her parents. Mojito had more or less become a ghost in her life, only appearing sporadically to check on her and Asla before going about his own way again. Deep down, Tira wondered if it was something she had done to create such a rift in her family, but for the life of her she couldn't think of a thing she'd done wrong. Aslatiel, while present in her life, was now leading their merry band of misfits along with Uncle Indigo. The wolf-dog had never made much of a relationship with Indigo, given that he was sort of the black sheep of the family and hadn't been around to form any sorts of bonds with, leaving her feeling very much so directionless and adrift, just sort of following along the current that her mother was creating.

Today was different. Asla had sought her out specifically, wanting to spend time with the adolescent yearling. By now, Satira had reached what would be her full adult height, just an inch shorter than her dam, and her coat had lost most of its fluffy puppy attributes in favor of more silky and luxurious adult fur. She was still lanky and slim, but there could be no doubt that she would grow to resemble her mother in physique and form. Asla led the way for the adventurous pair to a winding stream cutting through lush verdant plains, all the while little Satira gazing about at the natural splendor of the world around them. The Indarra-Klein girl had really taken to exploring and adventuring since her family's departure from the Armada and had developed something of a wanderlust and independence along with it. Passing through the fields, Satira noticed the abundance of snakes in the land, the serpents out basking in the autumn sun. Soon it would be winter and they would all go into hibernation. Which suited Tira just fine, if she was being frank. After her childhood incident of near-death with the anaconda, the girl didn't have a fear of snakes per se, but she definitely didn't care for them.

Her mother led her down to the banks of the tranquil river, and together the two faes laid out on some sunbaked rocks, Tira basking in the warmth like the snakes while she stretched out her long limbs. Asla unpacked a small picnic for the two, and when offered a honeyed strawberry, she happily accepted with a smile, popping the sweetened fruit into her mouth and chewing gratefully. Despite the rifts that had formed in her family, both immediate and extended, Satira was glad her mother had been the one constant. She looked up to Aslatiel like no one else; her mother was her role model. "It is!" exclaimed the hybrid girl with enthusiasm, rolling her shoulders a bit as she settled back in to sunbathe. "I don't mind Arc and Uncle Indy, but it is nice to get to do things with you, Mom."

Munching on some of the fruit Asla carved up, Tira had been lost in enjoying the landscape around her when Asla began to ask if she'd run into anyone... interesting. Satira tilted her head and gave her mother a curious look. "Anyone special?" she asked from around a mouthful of apple, pausing just long enough to swallow so she could speak properly. "Um... not really, I guess? I've mostly been exploring on my own." At the mention of her wanderings, Tira was reminded of the fae she'd met down south and the fun day they'd shared together. Was that what her mother meant? Floppy ears perked up, bouncing slightly with the movement as pale blue eyes lit up. "Oh! There was that one girl down south in the fjord. Azzie. She was really nice and sweet! We spent the day hanging out in the fjord." A bit of heat and color flushed on the girl's cheeks as she added, "She, uh... kinda was my first kiss too." Tactfully, Satira avoided explaining to her mother how she had learned what making out was from Azzurra, and how she knew now that was how Asla liked to kiss wolves like Ocean and Chrystelle and Uncle Indigo. That would've been awkward to just blurt out!

"Satira"