The tremors alone were proof that something transcendental was happening. Avalon was fortunate- the small earthquakes that came and went throughout the night did little to their fields, and only a small amount of damage was done to the various barns that could be found in their territory. Things shaken up, various containers strewn about, but the damage was hardly worth batting an eye at. It went without saying that she and Theory kept their children cooped up in their family den, safe from whatever was happening.

When the sun began to rise, the sky was painted blood-red. It was no doubt a symbol of His fury. Though Thalia didn't quite know what had happened- or rather, what was happening- but she knew she and her children would be safe. Wanting to scout the borders as soon as daylight began to filter in through the mouth of the den, she invited along any children who wished to join her. There was no reason to assume the danger was an immediate threat, though she'd shift her plan accordingly if anything changed.

Astaroth didn't understand what was happening, not that she was expected to. But her world was suddenly being disrupted; the tremors that shook the whole world throughout the night were frightening, even if she didn't want to admit it. It didn't make sense to her- were they in danger? She'd asked mother, but she brushed her off without much of an answer. She certainly didn't seem afraid and though mommy seemed a little on edge, it didn't seem like she ought to worry unless she was told to. Her moms would always protect her, that was what they were there for.

Nodding eagerly at Thalia's invitation, she scrambled out of the den after her, not caring who else joined them. The sky was like nothing she'd ever seen before, completely red, brighter than even her mother's coat. She'd seen the sun casting beams of light across the sky, sometimes pink and orange and yellow, but nothing of this intensity. Her jaw slackened slightly as she hurriedly followed close behind Thalia. "Mother," she asked after a moment as they headed toward the Orchard. "What's making the sky look like this?" Her question was said with a bit of hesitation, knowing sometimes mother didn't like being barraged with questions.

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Thalia was glad that her daughter Astaroth had chosen to join her on her scouting mission. She thought it most likely that it would prove to be uneventful; if anything, it'd be a good lesson for the young girl. There was so much for her to learn and Thalia often feared her own mortality would cut short her mission to teach her children everything. They knew of their god Abraxas, but there was so much left to really understand.

Watching her daughter scramble behind her, the older woman slowed to pace to allow her a moment to catch up. "It's hard to say for sure," she started. Her children absorbed so much of what she and Theory taught them that she had to often think carefully before speaking, not wanting her teach them something incorrectly, or her words to be misconstrued. "But I believe it's a sign from Abraxas. I think He is angry- about what, I don't know yet," she mused thoughtfully.

He wasn't angry with her own family, she knew that deep in her soul. Her children were a sign that she had slid back into His good graces. Her debt to Him from so long ago now paid. When she thought of her stillborn son, all she felt was joy. "What do you think might anger Abraxas?" She asked, tilting her head curiously toward Astaroth. It wasn't a trick question, but a genuine one- she wished to probe her growing daughter's brain.