She had only vaguely turned her head to regard Loccian as the healer called her husband out of the den and settled more soundly with her nursing pups after he departed. A heavy sigh slid from her muzzle as she rested her cheek against the warm earth and allowed her eyes to close, the exertion of a moment ago finally catching up with her. The offered plants that the healer had presented had yet to fully take effect, but Tahlia was ready for it, already teetering on the edge of slumber. It was strange to finally be able to see her children rather than simply feel them squirm within, but being able to feel them nurse was comfort enough to know that they were healthy and well and behaving as anticipated.
When Bane finally poked his head back into the den and whispered toward her, her dark golden eyes pried themselves open to glance his way, already half asleep and drawn back into momentary wakefulness to catch his instruction. So protective, she could only draw her sleepy expression into a half smile in response, pausing a moment before she curled her body more snugly around all three pups. She reached out and licked each of her newborns tenderly, even offering the same to Nako because of his good behavior and so that he would not feel left out, before she relaxed onto her side and held them all close while she felt herself beginning to slip back into slumber, welcoming it as it closed in around her.
