She was nearly there in her healing journey. Rou was satisfied with her healing progress, and her bandages were ready to come off within the next couple of weeks at the earliest. She was eager to get back out and about and resume her usual duties. Her pups were growing into themselves and showing progress in who they would be when they got older, though Amethyst had had a rough start since she was born the runt of the litter, she was finally released from Rou's medical care and observation and had left the den earlier to...well, she assumed to wreak her first havoc now that she was free to do as she wished. Things were changing. Things had changed. And things would continue to change. Winter was upon them, and that brought closer the time when Red would take over. She wasn't getting any younger, after all, and although she was still as spry as ever, she knew it wouldn't last forever. Not to mention she wasn't sure how her latest injuries would affect her later on, though she supposed time would tell. Hobbling her way toward the outside of the Gorge, she tilted her head and called for Red. Whether he was near or far, she requested his presence so that they could talk about the future.


"Speech!"

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Redrum’s ears twitched sharply at the call, his muscles giving their habitual, unsettling spasms as he processed the summons. His breath hitched briefly, his golden eyes narrowing into thin, gleaming slits. His mother was calling for him. He must answer.

He barrelled on, intensity rippling beneath his crimson coat. His mind is silent, waiting for her voice to clarify all. When he finally arrived, his frame was spasmic yet relaxed, head low and gaze fixed on her. He circled her once, slow and predatory, his tail sweeping behind him. It might have been threatening to others, for him, it was his way of looking her over—her injuries and her physical state. He grimaced. Long ears falling flat, his shoulders hunching that much more in frustration of that which he could not mend.

"Mother...called?" he rasped, his speech its usual halting rhythm, both gravelly and low. He tilted his head, the motion sharp and almost birdlike, before he stopped his pacing, standing close, uncomfortably so, his gaze boring into hers. The faintest flicker of something—anticipation? Curiosity?—danced behind his golden eyes as he waited, every muscle taut like a bow string.



"Murder"

She hummed to herself as she waited for him. Her tail flicking over the ground like a cat waiting in anticipation. Her lips curled into a slight grin as she thought about the potential discussion at hand and she looked so very forward to the future! She was eager to see what Red would do with the pack once he had it, and she had no doubts he'd do great things with it. He already had the support of his brothers, Grim & Ripper had little interest in taking over themselves and wholly supported their crimson brother. But the question begged...was Red still interested? She caught his scent before he saw him, and soon enough he came prowling over, his movements a sight for sore eyes since she had been confined to the den while she healed. Dual toned gaze watched him with equal intensity, pride swelling in her chest as she watched him. His closeness was welcome, she would always embrace his mannerisms and the closeness she always had with her beloved children. She would do anything for them, and they knew that. His broken speech cut through the silence and she would move to close the short distance between them, nuzzling her boy with affection before sitting back again. "Mhmmm~" She shifted into a more comfortable position before fixing her gaze on him, a knowing smile creeping further upon her masked face. "Medusa thinks it's time for Redrum to be more than just Insomnia's prince. She thinks he should lead with her for a little while," She winked, "What does he think?" "Speech"

The nuzzle, though familiar, sent a shiver through him, drawing a hitch in his breath free. His tail lashed as he processed her intent, how long had it been since he’d let someone touch him? His mother had been so busy with her wedding, the new litter, and those monsters that had left her bedridden…. But Red had enjoyed seeing her life blossom. There was only the smallest twinge of bittersweetness he felt, but nothing he could ever put into words. Redrum returned her sorely missed warmth in kind, leaning into her lightly as the tension fled his striped frame in those moments. It was good seeing her out and about again.

As her words sank in, his molten gold eyes widened a touch, their gleam sharp as he processed her words. “Lead…with Mother?” he rasped, his voice low while his ears pinned back for a brief moment. So soon. It made him more conscious of his age, and hers.

Abruptly, his head tilted, the motion sharp and jolting. He studied her face intently, searching for answers in her expression as he braced for the weight of the responsibility she placed before him. But there was never a doubt on what his answer would be, not since he was a child. He opened his mouth to speak, his half-glasgow smile scar going taut as he gave his answer quietly, but no less resolute than he needed to be. “Redrum thinks...he will not—fail.” And there, within his golden eyes blazed a feral, intense and prideful fire—a hunger. A drive.

"Murder"