What Is Real

Briar smiled while she watched their pups while slept soundly against her side. She still couldn't get over just how small and precious they were. It was one of those things that she just had to experience to really understand. Of course she had expected them to be adorable and to love them, but the extent of just how much she adored them and how perfect they were hadn't really hit her until after they came into the world. Already they were growing so incredibly fast and she wished she could make time slow down. She wanted to keep them like this, sweet, innocent, content with snuggling, sleeping, and eating forever. Lifting a paw, she gently cradled Dusk and pulled her closer, nestling her little black storm cloud between her front legs as the little pup started to get a bit fussy, nuzzling her tenderly until she settled down again with gentle little snores like the rest of her siblings.

Right about then a sound at the door pulled her attention up with her ears perking with surprise. There of course had been several visitors already with Zephyrus leading the charge to meet his new siblings, but usually Artorias was here with her when others came to call. This time her visitor just so happened to come in while Artorias was out handling a few pack matters. Briar was fairly familiar with all of Artorias' siblings, some more than others, but Asheila was still fairly new to her. Other than meeting her once or twice when they were very, very young, Briar knew very little of the monochromatic woman. It was just a side effect of Asheila's circumstances and the fact that Briar hadn't really been able to get to know her yet with how heavily pregnant she had been when she returned.

Still, Briar gave her sister-in-law a welcoming smile as she entered, giving her a little shake of her head when she mentioned hoping that she wasn't bothering her. "Not at all. They just finished eating so they're just sleeping right now," she told her in soft tones, doubtful that anything could wake these pups up right now, but not wanting to risk it just in case. She motioned for Asheila to come closer, inviting her over to come join them on the flush furs they had laid out in front of the fireplace. "This is Dusk," she said as she dipped her head to nod to the sleeping, solid black ball of fuzzy fluff between her forelegs. "And this is Thorn, Bramble, Talyssa, and Ciaran." As she introduced each of the pups she leaned her head to point them out with her nose. Smiling, she brought her turquoise gaze back up to Asheila again. "I'm sorry we haven't gotten to speak much yet, but I'm glad you finally made it home. I know Artorias has been so relieved."

"Briar Carpathius"