The bronze mistress steadied herself. A Ithuriel never stumbles. That's what her Mother used to say, anyway. They were a family of strong men and strong women. Fur of iron, soul of steel. The were monstrous beasts destined for greatness. Her injuries stinged and copious amounts of crimson liquid stained her egyptian silk tendrils, clinging to her feline-like, slender bodice. She came out victorious and yet she lost her King, her most important pawn on the table and with that in mind she crashed the earth beneath her paws, making her way towards the den, towards her spawns. She was an Ithuriel, she had fire in her veins and armor beneath her isabelline-white skin. She was an Ithuriel, the current Pharaoh, iron was filling her lungs and each breath she took panted, invitingly toxic. She had her lips made of glass and she had a voice cut from steel, features both from thunder and battles. She was not going to stand down and roll over. Even though she left the Battleflied with a heavy heart for both Hannibal and Leera, she knew what she had to do and what were her priorities. Nephthys Ma'at Ithuriel had stumbled. What she didn't know was how far she was destined to fall. Come here, my poisonous berries. her voice was hoarse, a battle cry and her coat was a war zone made to match. Come to Mother. she no longer hold the sultry, warm vocals but she knew she must not let desperation break through her tones. She stood tall in front of their den, her injuries stinging at her heart, pain sending shiver down her spine. Her body was a prison in which a Goddess was waiting. But there is so much flesh and muscle can hold back before her divinity shines in crimson. The land in which she resided did not welcome her without compromise. A Queen must make sacrifices for her King and she is well acquainted with the dealings of suffering to welcome it as an old friend. Her world had shrunk in matter of moments to the den fiery orange orbs observed. She had lost almost everything she hold dear, her mate, the Father of her spawns and her dearest friend but she will be damned if anyone were to touch her three devil chops. She had to take them and be on the move, they will change their den and take residence further to the North, (towards the end of the Forest and the begining of the Crypt, within the territory borders) if they shall manage to find an abandoned site. speech

Banshee was snoozing away. Tiny puppy snores could be heard from the earth toned creature. Her slim tail was slung across rear paws. She was starting to really miss her parents. Eulogy was a decent care taker but the warmth of her ma and pa could not be replaced. Nor would the babe want to get close to the servant. Thus, as she was woken up by the voice of her loving mother blue eyes fluttered into view almost instantly. A warmth overcame the pup as she felt joy for the first time in a few days. The larger pup yipped with joy as she waddled to go greet her mother. Surely the other pups would join soon after but Banshee had no concern for them. The babe was more curious as to why her mother had been gone and why she sounded worried as she arrived. Also, where was daddy? "Mum! I missed you so much!" Her tail went wild as she moved to nuzzle into Nephthys' front leg. "Is daddy comin' home too?" Banshee Speech

Upon waking, the young Lord burrowed himself into the warm, soft hides. He rubbed the remainders of sleep from his eyes and gazed out at the den entrance; its vivid light extended across a rosy sky. He supposed this was something the majority of people would consider beautiful, but he found it strange, hard even, to find something so meaningful in something so every-day. It's not like the sun wouldn't rise, it had, after all, been reliably happening since the beginning of time. So what was so special about it? He could never feel the joy from it others did, the magic that drew so many lupins in, as if they had some insight he'd missed out on. Then again, he supposed he was not like everybody else. Once agian he will have to share a plastic smile and get on with his day only that this particular day has proven to be rather different than he had planned. His auditory system did not caught Mother voice however they did caught Banshee's; as if anyone could miss that out! The girl could scream for days. He rolled our of bed, careful not to disturb his other sister and moved towards the source of Banshee's voice. He was surprised to see Mother there, his tail began to do a wag of its own out of the boy control. Something seemed...off? His snout would test the air, sniffling here and there as teacup paws carried him delicately towards the group of two. Blood? He questioned with a tilt of his regalia. He was confused however he was delighted to see that she was home, safe and sound. Mother. he greeted in his boyish tones, drowsy from slumber. They had left them alone for a complete day and night. They never did that. Whenever one of them would step out due to duties or whatever adults did one of them always remained to keep watch. And now they left them with the slave? He huffed at his own thoughts. What is going on? Speech

The excitement of the previous day's outing with the other pups had left Recluse exhausted, she had crashed beside her siblings when they'd returned to their den that night. Falling asleep despite the fact she was supposed to be the nocturnal one; awake when her brother and sister drifted into dream. Her world was the night and yet she'd managed to sleep through the whole thing. In fact, she was so tired it wasn't until the cold air; a result of her siblings leaving her side, hit her that she awoke. Pale rose lids blinking slowly, she rolled to her paws; a stretch and yawn banishing the stiff tiredness from her limbs.

Then she caught the sounds of voices, her siblings asking curious questions and the girl frowned; her head cocking to the side as she tentatively approached the too bright mouth of the den. She blinked against the harsh light; wincing slightly and turning her head away. But even so she caught the familiar scent of her mother and as she slowly turned her head back towards the commotion she could make out the larger shadow of her mother. Another scent reached her, the acrid metallic smell of blood, her head cocked again, more curious than worried. "Whas' happenin'?" She asked, her tongue still heavy with sleep.



Speech

Art by Vethysnia

The nausea swirled unrestrained in her empty stomach. Her head swam with half-formed regrets. Her heart felt as if her blood had become tar as it struggled to keep a steady beat. And yet, with all of that, she managed to keep her exterior contained. In the moment, that flash of anger protected the bronze mistress from the pain. If she won't sacrifice for what she wanted, what she wanted will be the sacrifice and there was nothing she wanted more than for her spawns to be safe. Slowly, each of her three devil chops make their appearance known and her fiery orange orbs, measuring planets in size with their own gravitational pull, could not help but softly fall upon each one of them. It seemed unfair that no matter how much she strived to be the mother her conscience wanted her to be, it would keep taunting her with her failures. Each time the regrets reemerged she would diligently analyze them again, hoping that this time her mind would be satisfied with her self professed remorse, but it never was. And now, like an unforgiving spectre, time was not in their advantage. My poisonous berries.. her tones were soft, loving, she was at a lose of words as she saw them all before her and she could not help but wrap her tail around their tiny bodies, pulling them closer to her in an attempted hug. Daddy is not coming home for a while but he wants you all to be strong for him. her plush, coral tongue would uncurl from her pretty maw, leaning down to swipe in across each of their foreheads, grooming their soft fur tenderly. I want you to listen closely. she straightened her spine, rolling her shoulder blades back, regally, eyeing each one of them , We do not have much time. Each one of you take a hide and follow me. We will be moving until Daddy comes back. Speech