The blush in the sky was beginning to fade. Theory happily dozed beneath the shade of an apple tree, its branches so heavy with fruit that some stretched in a vain attempt to touch the ground. She could hear in the distance the sounds of her children playing, and she felt so deeply at peace. They had begun to take their training more seriously, her and Thalia working in tandem to ensure that they had a solid foundation. Theo felt strongly it was her vocation to make sure her children were indomitable. If she had it her way, none of them would struggle. They would never know pain. Even as she knew that was impossible. So for now, she dozed, her ears swiveling like satellites for any sounds or signs of her brood. "speech"

Asmodeus knew that something had happened to spook his mothers, but he couldn't exactly see the colour of the sky enough to care. He had noticed that things had gotten dimmer but with little else to go off of it could have been a cloud going over the sun for all he knew... Just for a long time. Asmodeus frowned as he tried to mentally map out where his family was, he could hear most of his siblings playing, could smell them but their positions changed so often it was hard to keep track of. It also didn't help that the orchard stunk of over ripe and rotting fruit. Speaking of which he'd planted his butt because he was frankly tired of tripping over fruit as big as he was.

Asmodeus gave up, knowing that trying to think about it too hard was only going to give him a headache. Instead he turned his attention towards his mothers. Theory was nearby and he picked himself up, moving carefully towards her, not eager to trip yet again, but it was hard to tell where the fruit scents were coming from and he did admittedly trip once. But then he was close and Asmodeus wordlessly tried to lay himself beside her, close enough he could feel her but not pressed into her.

Theory had tried her best not to let her anxiety effect her children, although she knew it was written clearly on her body most of the time. She tried to stay cheerful and bright, keeping up with their lessons as normal, but it was growing difficult the longer the sky stayed red. In fact, she had taken to praying with Thalia more often than she usually might. It was surprising how much comfort there was to be found in giving yourself up to a higher power. Theo lifted her head as she heard the soft, small steps of one of her children approaching. Her smallest child, sweet Asmodeus, quietly approached and laid by her side. The thought of the challenges he would face throughout his life almost kept her awake most nights, but all she could do was prepare him. For now, she simply leaned over and tucked him closer in to her side, savoring the warmth of the small boy. How painful, that they would all grow up to forge their own way in life. How beautiful. But she could still protect him now. Theory nuzzled the top of his head and began to groom behind his ears. "Hello, my sweet. How are you liking the orchard?" she asked, prepared to listen indulgently to whatever he had to say. "speech"