---> I'm NOT with stupid (vaguely points to hanako)

Makara chuckled as Citadel reached up to put a paw around her shoulders and was quickly stifled by his father, She gave him a wicked little conspiring grin that said perhaps another time, but who knows for how long they'd be able to play and roughhouse like that. The boy was huge in a way that told her he would certainly take after his father in size, and Basilisk was massive. Easily the largest wolf she'd ever seen, even in all of her travels.

"We can certainly see about some climbing and romping, although I'm not sure I can keep up with you as it is!" Mak teased, following along behind Ignita. It warmed her heart to see her brother interact so easily with his wife. There was clear love and affection there, something she had never seen between their own parents. Across her travels, it had never occurred to her that she might one day find something like that of her own. It had seemed as impossible as flying to the moon, but quiet, brooding Bas had done it - why couldn't she? Makara mulled over this as they made their way to the storage room, still struggling to imagine herself being "loved" and "happy" by the time they arrived. She made a soft noise of concern when Ignita mentioned the other children. "I'm sorry to hear the other children aren't feeling their best. I was quite sickly as a child, and it can be frightening for a pup to experience illness at such a young age."

It hadn't sunk in just how tired she was until Ignita acknowledged it. In truth, she was bone tired, but she'd been plodding along for so long across so many terrains that it had become her typical state of being. Exhaustion was written into her body just as much as her markings that called back to her Fatalis heritage. An indelible mark. "Mmm, you know, I suppose I am quite tired," she admitted, dancing around Selene scampering between their legs. "I honestly hadn't given it much thought - I've always been a go, go, type, just like your lovely daughter - " she stopped to laugh as Selene attempted to climb the shelves and was immediately caught, "but maybe there will be time for rest eventually. Oh, my goggles, yes - well - " Makara paused, her brow furrowed. How to explain those? They were "gifts" from her parents, in a way, but...

"My accessories, admittedly, were born out of necessity and not preference. Before we lived in the far North, Armada occupied much more temperate climes that saw a more definitive change in seasons and much, much more grass and pollen. I have, ah," she deflated, if only slightly, because it still stung to admit the weaknesses that had made her parents frustrated with her very existence, "I have quite severe allergies. To pollen, grass, dust, some foods... the boots are to keep my paws from touching the ground. Certain grasses cause terrible hives, can even make me blister and bleed, and the glasses are to keep material from getting into my eyes, otherwise they used to run constantly and would be terribly red and inflamed. I've grown to love them for their utility, but they could use some attention after my journey, certainly," she shifted her paws and stared down at her boots, which were threadbare nearly worn through in places. The glasses had held up quite well through the years, however.

She glanced down at Selene again with her insistent questions and laughed indulgently. It was truly like looking into a mirror through time. "I would love to map the warrens with you, if it's alright with your mother and father." Makara turned back to Citadel and offered him a similar opportunity to bond: "As for you, we should get all of that roughhousing in while we can before you get as big as your father and squash me with one great paw!"


Speech