((Ooc: Leaving this vague~))

Paws had led Charlie back to the beach as the sun creeped towards its zenith in the sky. Warm rays cascaded down onto his back, bringing with it the sort of heat that he would expect from summer months. The season was just around the corner, after all. Despite how sleeping here had reminded Charlie of the flood, he found the memories he had of the beach were more powerful than that. Good times… even a party here, once upon a time. Charlie glanced down at the cuffs around his front ankles, a small smile on his lips. Back when his family had almost been whole, back before they started drifting their own ways.

He thought of his siblings… how different each of their paths had seemed to be as he walked near the water. His tail flicked thoughtfully back and forth. Dread had gone off with Deluge… were they still together, he wondered? Deluge had been different from those in the Armada, but he had thought their interaction had been pleasant enough. Crux and Stratum had left after Kite, though not for the same reasons. Vanna had been missing for some time… it was just him and Andy left now. A mental note was made to check on his sister later. It had been too long since they last sat together.

He had other siblings here too to check on… and Wyl. Charlie drew in a breath and moved back inland, onto the dry sandy patch of beach before he laid down. He wanted to check on Ignita too. Surely she had her little ones by now? She had looked ready to pop when he had seen her last. But where should he begin with visits? Catching up? Charlie closed his eyes in thought, furrowing his brow as his tail flicked back and forth. “I need to see what projects are still by the forge too…” He mused.

Couldn’t he just have more time each day to do all the things?

"Speech," 'Thought.'

She was allowed to explore further as long as she had a chaperone, so her Daddy’s akita escorted her to the beaches. The dog was a faithful companion and loved her almost as much as her own fathers. Her little leopard paws carried her over the dark sands as her silver eyes widened in wonder at the sight of the oceans. Of course her fathers were the first to introduce her, but after that she had become obsessed. Maybe not as obsessed as she was with trees, but the seemingly endless water elicited endless wonder from the girl.

Her wings were growing in steadily, gaining little pin feathers everyday that replaced the peach fuzz down that covered her from birth. And the little lynx tufts on her ears extended more by the day as well. She was an odd amalgamation of cat, wolf, and owl. The warm midday sun beat down on her dark fur, but she didn’t feel it. The ocean breeze swept away the hot and her mind was far away from the nap time that would be awaiting her when they had to go home.

As she stepped out onto the beach her attention was first upon the waves, then it shifted to the figure that was already there on the sand. She did not recognize him, but the familial marking over his eye was quite obvious so he had to be a relative of some kind. "Hey!” She called out as she started to run towards him. "Who are you?!”

"Odette"

Beach time!! Selene looked up as her parents' falcons circled overhead and her dainty paws skittered over the beach. She wanted to test her swimming skills in the wild water! The waves crashed over the shores and she saw the palm trees sway in the wind. She loved how the beach was all sparkly when the sun hit it!

Her attention was diverted from the waves in the Col to Odette's voice as she was running at a not-stranger. He looked like a family! She turned her own path toward him with a renewed sense of adventure. She wanted to know him too! She doubled down on her strides and pushed herself over the sand, her cat fossa paws finding excellent purchase as she raced over it. She skidded to a halt that flung sand up in a wave as she changed direction and made a direct beeline for him.

When she came up closer she started bouncing and running in circles around him! "HI! I'm Selene! I wanna know too!"

"Selene"

His thoughts continued to come and go like the push and pull of the waves. He lay there, tail occasionally twitching, and let the breeze roll by. For now he just wanted to gather and sort his thoughts. Make some decisions on what needs to be done and act accordingly. But peace with curious puppies around was never something that lasted. Not that Charlie minded: he was quite content with his role as an uncle. Something he had grown appreciative of when bonding with Wylan.

A tiny voice called to him and Charlie opened his eyes. Head lifted to see the girl running towards him, noticing the wings on her back and her darker coat. Another Mortis child? Brows arched curiously as he peered down at her. Who else would she be a child of? But hadn't Halo gone? Who was her mother? He offered her a gentle smile and parted his lips to answer.

Only before he could answer another pup had bound up and was hopping around as well. She introduced herself as Selene and Charlie chuckled. “My name is Charlie. If my hunch is correct your dad is Mortis, making me your uncle.” He nodded to Odette then looked at Selene. “...and you remind me of Ignita with Bas’ blue so I'd guess they're your parents. I’d be your great uncle since your dad is my nephew.”

He sat up and looked around. Either adults or companions had to be with the kids. “What are you both doing out here by the beach? Surely not learning to swim yet?” His gaze returned to the pups.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Odette hadn’t made it but a few steps before she realized Selene was right there with her, confronting the strange man. Her cousin sister was much more polite as the two girls appeared before the golden man, introducing herself like the proper princess that she was. Odette was more of a heathen, and she wasn’t sure what this stranger was up to either. However, it was easy to tell that he was family.

Ode didn’t correct herself as she stood defiantly before the man, but he was swift to explain himself at least. He was also quick to detect and name her father, so surely he was likely more trustworthy. This man was her uncle, her Poppa’s brother. A look of dawning appeared on Odette’s features and she warmed up considerably as he went on to explain his relation to Selene.

"And I’m Odette!” She added before her uncle went on, questioning why it was they found themselves at the beach. Offering doubt to their swimming ability. "No, I’m not allowed in the water without Poppa or Daddy with me, but Sashimi brings me out here to play in the sand.” She went on, gesturing with her head towards Hikaru’s akita who was standing watch a ways away.

"Odette"

He was an Uncle! A great uncle? He didn't look that old! He was younger than Daddy!

Selene loved hanging out with Odette! The winged girl was a fun sister to explore with. She was somewhat surprised her dads didn't let her swim! Selene was also the type of kid who hadn't stopped moving since she was born. Her parents had found out how to tire her out before bed by swimming in the hot springs.

"Uncle Charlie! I know how to swim! Daddy said I could be the best swimmer in Armada!" The princess declared, bouncing on her toes, pouncing on the sand, and spinning in a circle with a loud voice. "I haven't swum here yet though, but your here! Maybe we can try!" The tiny girl booped Odette's shoulder and started to bolt at the waves. It wasn't gonna be too different than the hot springs right?


"Selene"