Into the Light

Suddenly she was not staring up into just one sibling's face but two as Integra shoved their brother aside to stand beaming in his place. Their cheer did not quite reach her as Minnie glanced between the two of them and tried not to feel like they were giving her any sort of special treatment, though she knew for a fact none of them behaved with this much enthusiasm when they began to head out of the den during their own daily activities. It was only because she was weak and small and sickly that they were behaving like this, and it stung her easily wounded pride. Sure, it was a special occasion since the white and grey girl did tend to spend all of her time inside her earthen shelter, but she did not want to be praised for such a meager accomplishment.

But at any rate, they were encouraging, and she did need that, even if it meant she was going to have an audience. Nothing was said to either of them as the small girl crept just a teeny bit closer to the entrance of their den and blinked her eyes. "It is bright," she admitted, feeling tempted to shrink further back into the den again and away from the blinding light. But, as Trei had said already, she was not going to get stronger by staying in the den. And she needed to get stronger.

Minerva pulled in a quick, steeling breath and stepped forward, her dainty paws light and careful as tread for the first time out into the open. It felt only a little different, what with the air open and nothing being between her and the sun, but just enough for her to feel that uneasy prickle along her spine. She stopped just a foot or so outside of the den and peered all around her at the openness of the territory, wondering just how far she could go. A strong, urging voice wanted her to rush and press those physical boundaries now, but she hated the idea of appearing more weak than usual in front of her brother and sister. No, this would do for now. Though now that she was here, outside and in the open, she hardly knew what to do with herself and stood a little awkwardly as she glanced at both Trei and Integra, as if to ask if she was doing it right.