If you're good we'll get a toy after

While it was difficult to be still- to stay within the confines of their den. That was a boundary that had been set early on. But while it seemed that her brother had an endless amount of energy, Mariah was always the first one to get tired. It left her feeling more frustrated than anything. However when they awoke this morning, there was a different feeling in the air. Momma approached with that familiar look of love in her face, but something seemed subtly different and she couldn't tell what. The touch was comforting, and a display of familial affection that she was happy to lean into. Though, it was the sentiment that followed that peaked her interest.

"Aunt Ikigai," Mariah said softly to herself, testing the name out on her own voice. While the idea of going on an outing had her attention, she wasn't quite sure of what 'visiting Aunt Ikigai' would entail. For now, she would adopt a tentative enthusiasm, but not attempt to mask the uncertainty either. At the gentle invitation offered to go, the scarlet shadowed girl begins to make her own brief preparation to leave. However, as Malico started to the entrance of their den, a sharp pang of her competitive nature sent her off on her brother's heels- not to be out done, of course. Then they were off.

Any drive that had reared its ugly head was momentarily forgotten as she was given the first opportunity of her life to see a little bit more of the world. It's beauty was captivating. And while she was a little overwhelmed by the big picture. The more she saw, the more she wanted to see. Mariah had lost track of the twists and turns. While the trip hadn't seemed very long, she honestly couldn't say. But when greeted by the earthy scents of what she assumed to be Ikigai's den, she was once again immediately captivated. While she felt the nearly irresistible pull to investigate, she managed to stay planted at her parent's side. Or at least until Momma had gestured for her and Mal to take a seat on the furs that had been previously laid out.

As Mariah did what was requested of her, her eyes wandered the room. Taking note of all the interesting things that she wanted to know more about. However, her attention realigned to her mother upon her next request. She didn't like the idea of having to be nice to someone who she wasn't sure was going to be nice to her and her brother. Before she could make her reluctant vow, Malico answered their mother's question with a question of her own. And while Mariah didn't know precisely what it meant. She had drawn her own conclusion. "Momma wants Ikigai to look us over." The scarlet shadowed girl answered quickly in an 'as a matter of fact' tone. Look at them for what, she didn't know. But she supposed it didn't quite matter the reason why. Only that it was to be done, and it was expected of them to be good during the check-up.