The day was young, the sun was hardly visible over the horizon however the song birds had been holding chorus for hours now. They didn't seem much bothered by the slight chill that hung in the air now that Autumn gripped them. Rhythm would find herself slowly waking, her two little babies nuzzled sleepily at her side. Her expression couldn't have been more blissful, the siblings were almost weaned now, a fact that made her sad as well as relieved. Their teeth were getting big, it was more than time for them to start chewing on meat and stop chewing on her nipples. Not that Rhythm was complaining. They were already so big, it felt like they'd been born just yesterday. By now you couldn't even tell that they had been early. The Destruction woman would sigh softly as consciousness fully overcame her sleep, shifting gently she'd lift her head from her paws and shift her gaze to the infants at her belly. Their eyes were fully open, their vocabularies were blossoming and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to keep them sheltered in her den. She was acutely aware of all of the dangers that lurked outside that entrance, and she wasn't ready to expose them yet. Her chocolatey form would curl tighter around their innocent forms, she wanted to keep them like this forever. Cute, innocent, and still mostly obedient. Leaving the den was like agreeing that they were allowed to grow up, and they weren't. She wouldn't allow it. A defeated sigh would slip from her lips. She knew she'd never be able to shelter them here for the rest of their lives. They had their own purpose in the world, their own mistakes to make, and love to find. Rhythm was getting ahead of herself though, for now she'd sit and enjoy their presence while she could. ""

Rhyme was very much asleep, he liked to sleep it was nice and the dreams he had were always fun. He'd not experienced a nightmare yet, and most of his dreams involved him being his father.. but it was a nice change from the den. Even timid little Rhyme was getting tired of the same old scenery every day. The same dirt walls and rock ceiling, and the tantalizing sunlight that filtered through the entrance. He'd shuffle slightly in his sleep as his mother shifted slightly. He'd sigh contentedly, quite happy continuing his nap as his mother watched him protectively. He'd dream about being big like his daddy, protecting the pack like a hero as he took care of his mother and sister. In reality he'd never be that brave, Rhyme was timid, and had difficulties with speech. He was nothing like his daddy. These truths would not cloud his dreams though, and contentedly the little boy would continue his sleep with thoughts of being alpha swimming in his head. ""

Rhys was scheming. She wanted to go outside. The moment the idea had popped into her head it had become the only thing she could think about. Mommy went outside all the time and Daddy was hardly ever inside, so whatever was out there had to be good. She desperately wanted to see what kept them outside so much. Peeping over her mother's tail, Rhys' gaze darted between the entrance and Rhythm's face. Was her mother still sleeping? She couldn't tell, only the side of her face was visible. Maybe if she was really, really quiet she could sneak outside for a little bit, maybe even find Daddy and see what he did when he was outside. Yes. That was a good plan. She could be quiet and she had no doubt that she wouldn't be able to find her Daddy. Moving excruciatingly slow, Rhys stood up and then peeked over at her mom again, this time craning her neck in the hopes that she could see Rhythm's face. Shifting her weight, the pup then lifted a foot and gently placed it on the ground on the other side of her mother's tail. She then froze, unknowingly holding her breath as she waited to see if her little test gave her away. Still holding her breath Rhys then tiptoed over the furry barrier that separated her from freedom. Once all four paws were in the clear she almost squealed in excitement and barely managed to contain the giddy sound that desperately wanted to break free. She was so close! Slinking towards the entrance, Rhys was almost there when she froze and spun around to stare balefully at her brother. She'd almost left him behind! That certainly wouldn't do! Crestfallen, she stared at his closed eyes and willed them to open. When they didn't her gaze darted between him and the entrance before she finally crept back towards Rhyme. Reaching - so, so carefully - over her mother's tail, Rhys aimed to poke her brother's nose with a foot. "Whymey," she whispered not so quietly, "Whymey wake up." ""

Another long sigh slipped from he rlips as she put her head back on her paws and let her little ones sleep. They were still growing, no matter how much she willed them not to, and they needed their rest. She might have gone back to sleep herself had Rhy's little pitter patter of paw steps alerted her to an escape plan. Opening her eyes she'd look as her daughter crept back towards her still sleeping brother. "Whymey wake up." She'd shake her head softly before bumping her daughter's hip with her nose. "He's sleeping, like you should be." Rhythm would chastise gently as she found herself grooming the young girl's chocolatey haunches. "Any specific reason you'd be waking your brother, Rhys?" She'd ask curiously, "You weren't thinking about.. trying to sneak out again?" ""

He'd rolled over onto his back during his nap, he was hardly the still sleeper. It was amazing that his mother and sister ever got any sleep with how much he tossed and turned. He'd gained a bad habit of flopping on his back and snoring, while cute it was more than difficult to ignore. At least when you were trying to sleep. As Rhys crept back towards him he'd snore lightly, that sounds becoming a snort as she poked at him. He'd jump at the touch, his mother's voice helping nothing as she noticed Rhys's wakefulness. He'd blink back the sleep and yawn widely as Rhythm tried to get an answer out of his sister. "Ow-t?" He'd ask curiously, leaning back on his mother's tummy and looked up at her curiously. Dad said they would be able to follow him out soon, was right now soon? ""

Rhys froze mid poke as her mother nudged her hip. Oh no. Foiled again! Immediately all four paws were planted on the ground and Rhys was staring up at her mother innocently. The expression was far from perfect; one of those guilty-but-totally-not-going-to-admit-to-anything looks that came before long before the ability to lie somewhat decently. "Any specific reason you'd be waking your brother, Rhys?" Eyes wide, Rhys' gaze shot every which way except her mother's as she tried to think of an excuse. "Um," she pipped up quickly, trying to stall for time. "You weren't thinking about.. trying to sneak out again?" Uhhhh... "Um, yeah, um, no," her gaze darted to Rhyme and then, once she'd decided on an excuse, to her mother, "I just wanted to say good morning." ""

While she tried to focus seriously on her daughter it was really hard not to crack a smile when Rhyme's cute little yawn threatened to tear down her defenses. Somehow she'd manage to remain firm as Rhys searched for her answer. More than obviously caught in the act and trying very hard to find an acceptable answer. Rhythm would tone Rhyme out as she foused her gaze a bit harder in Rhys's direction. She couldn't beginning to meet her gaze even as she tried to answer. "Um, yeah," Her eyebrow would raise "Um, no." Now Rhythm would frown, "I just wanted to say good morning." Clearing her throat she'd aim to reach and grasp her daughter firmly on the scruff. "What have I told you about lying?" She'd ask as she'd plop Rhys between her front legs, aiming to stare into her bright blue eyes intensely. She was not going to raise a liar. Rhyme would continue to be ignored as she focused on his trouble making sister. ""

Rhyme didn't know what Rhys had in mind for reals, but as he glanced up to their mother as she stared his sister down he was glad he hadn't been part of it this time. He'd find himself backing up at her intense gaze, snuggling in between her thigh and her stomach as he watched the interaction go down. He didn't like to be in trouble, he craved praise. Light discipline was all it took for Rhyme to learn his lesson, he hated to displease his parents. He saw enough of Rhys's talking to's that he knew better, but for some reason he couldn't not follow his sister. Unluckily for him there were a lot more talkin' to's a coming during the time it took for him to go from his current self to full adult. Even after he was considered on his own he had no doubt that he'd still be getting lectured for following Rhys into trouble. That would be one lesson he never learned. ""

How did her mommy just know? It wasn't fair! Rhys's face scrunched up into a pout as Rhythm drug her closer and stared down at her intently. That look may have melted Rhyme into a soggy little puddle of apologies, but Rhys was not her brother. Instead of crumbling her still forming willpower, having her story not be believed just frustrated her. She stared stubbornly up at Rhythm and decided to take a slightly different approach when she answered. Clearly if everything was a lie then it didn't work, but what about a half lie? "It's bad, but," her gaze slid away from Rhythm's for a second, "I didn't lie. I just wanted to say hi to Whymey." ""

She didn't miss the pouting, or her son backing into her like he'd done something too. Being a parent was hard, they were so cute, and she foud it so hard to be this serious when they were just so cute... but she couldn't let up. Rhys stared up at her defiantly, Rhyme was easy all she had to do was tell him no once and he usually got the picture. Rhys wanted to do what she wanted when she wanted, and wasn't afraid to cover up her plots, obviously. "It's bad, but," She even knew what she was doing was wrong. Rhythm wouldn't let up with the serious business. "Say hi to him after you snuck over my tail instead of before when you were beside him?" That little rascal had done really well too, Rhys had avoided her first line of defense pretty much perfectly. ""

"Say hi to him after you snuck over my tail instead of before when you were beside him?" FINALLY a question she could answer with ease. Rhys wasn't quite to the stage of pushing back yet, but she was willing to hold her ground and very eager to test her mother's limits. Every inch she got away with inspired her to fight for another inch. Soon enough she'd be going for a mile. This time when she spoke her gaze never once strayed from Rhythm's. "Yes." Rhyme, at this point, was probably hiding so far under Rhythm's leg that he could nurse, but Rhys refused to waver. ""

Rhyme was indeed so far under her that he could nurse, and as Rhys tried to wriggle her way out of getting caught that's exactly what Rhyme would do. It was a comforting action more than one for hunger, and he'd finally tune out the words exchanged by his mother and sister. Rhys was confident in her stance with a firm "Yes." and not a flicker from her gaze it was obvious that Rhys was here to test the limits, every single one that was set for her. Rhythm wanted to be strong, she wanted to enforce those same boundaries. Rhys couldn't have everything she wanted, she had to know her place in life, in the pack, in their little family. Her daughter had to know right from wrong, and that if you pushed momma you weren't getting very far. "So you could get him to tag along with you when you went outside." There was no more question, she knew very well this was the fact. "I thought I might take you two out for a little stroll before lunch today, but since you couldn't tell me the truth it looks like we'll have to wait." She wouldn't tell Rhys that she had to wait until before dinner, but surely the realization that she'd be forced to wait even longer would be punishment enough. ""

Nothing worked. Her mommy didn't believe her. That by itself was frustrating, but having the thing she'd wanted pushed further from her grasp was so much worse. In the face of defeat there was really only one thing to do: cry. The moment the words left Rhythm's mouth the waterworks began. Rhys's face screwed up and her ears slicked back against her skull. It started with a little lip quiver and a whine and progressed quickly to a heartbroken wail as tear after tear rolled down her cheeks. Thoroughly crushed, she sobbed in an almost unintelligible voice, "Mommy I wan go outside!" This was the worst day ever! ""

As Rhythm dictated her punishment it was like all at once Rhys lost total control of the situation and like the tower of deceit she built she would crumple as Rhythm denied her that one thing she wanted most in the world. This was probably the only time such a punishment was ever going to work. After this she doubted highly that she'd be able to keep them in the den. They'd have to establish borders in this first outing. And she'd pray to whatever gods there were that Rhys respected her father's borders. If Rhythm could have been with them of every moment of every day she would never let them leave the knoll. Rhys was obviously built for bigger things though, and eventually she'd have to spread her wings. Rhythm just hoped she'd be able to prepare her properly. Rhys's devastation would be handled first though, she was pretty sure this was the biggest breakdown her daughter had suffered yet. Again Rhythm would hide her laughter and keep completely serious as she leaned down to snuggle Rhys closer to her. There would be struggles, but when her baby was crying she had to hold her. "I know you do baby, but you have to be honest with mommy. Always." She'd kiss her poor tear stained cheeks before offering the out, "When you can tell me what you did, then we'll go outside." ""

No amount of snuggling would make everything better. Her heart was broken, shattered into a million little pieces and so far beyond repair that Rhys didn't think she'd ever be able to stop crying. As short as it was, her life was over. She'd never get to go outside, never get to see where her mommy and daddy went when they weren't inside, and knowing that was awful. "When you can tell me what you did, then we'll go outside." And then suddenly there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Still wailing, Rhys's words left her alongside a flood of tears, "I just wan'd to go outside!" It was so unfair! "With Whymey!" Dejected, Rhys collapsed, falling forward and burying her face into her mother's fur. Her mouth full of fur, she sobbed, "Saw-rry!" ""

She'd broken her poor little baby, Rhys didn't hesitate in her wailing, tears poured over her chocolatey cheek as she protested, very much emotionally. Of course, Rhys couldn't look forward to her future like Rhythm did, and for the moment she would live through the end of the world. "I just wan'd to go outside!" The girl collapsed into her chest and rhythm would hold her tight. "Saw-rry!" Rhythm would even gain an apology from her sobbing child. She'd sigh softly, kissing whatever little bits of fur her tongue could reach. "See, that wasn't so bad." Hahahahaha! "Alright, straighten up. Dry your tears, you wouldn't want your eyes to be all cloudy when we go outside do you?" She'd nuzzle her little trouble maker, aiming to help her stad up as she herself aimed to gain her footing. She'd dislodge little Rhyme in the process, who had fallen back asleep after a light breakfast. She'd nudge him too as she opened the flood gates. "Rhys, first rule. Stay where I can see you." At this point in their development she doubted that Rhys would be able to even walk farther than she could see, but if they got the picture now maybe they'd keep in the habit of it. ""

The small boy hadn't lasted very long. After he'd crawled back underneath his mother and started to suckle it took less than a few minutes before he'd fallen back asleep. Have I mentioned how much he liked his sleep? Snoring again he'd be totally oblivious to his sister's woes or the fact that they would be missing the outside. He was content sleeping, at least until he was pulled free by his mother's sudden movement. With another start the young pup was in wakefulness once more. His brilliant eyes would search around, realizing what was going on as his mother explained their rule. Just stay where she could see them. Easy right? He'd look to Rhys eagerly, realizing the tear stains on her cheeks. Had mom really gotten her? As he stood up his wobbly legs would carry him closer to his littermate, and with all the slobber of a newly woken pup he'd lick her face affectionately. "Ow-t?" He'd ask again curiously as he looked towards the entrance. ""

"See, that wasn't so bad." Not so bad? It was AWFUL. She would never recover, there was just n- "...when we go outside do you?" Rhys choked on, stuttered around and then finally managed to swallow the wail that had been clawing its way free. She yanked her face out of her mother's fur and stared up at Rhythm with hopeful eyes. Outside? For real? In a flash Rhys was on her paws and prancing in circles in front of her mother. All of her woes were forgotten in an instant. "Rhys, first rule. Stay where I can see you." Rhys? What about Rhyme? Not fair! Before she could consider the indignity of those words, Rhyme planted a sloppy lick across the side of her face and brought her back to the task at hand. Outside! Grinning at him, she squealed, "Come on, Whymey!" and then bolted for the exit. Once outside Rhys froze and stared blinking into the sun. Her eyes darted around, but something - sunspots - darted before her eyes and made looking at things hard. Not knowing what it was, she craned her neck every which way in an effort to look around the spots, but somehow the colorful blobs managed to keep up. After a few moments the spots got bored of her and left, and then she could see. The outside den was so big she couldn't even see the edges of it! Honestly she didn't know what to do first. There was so much to see, so many new things all over the pla- DADDY! She was going to go see Daddy! Spinning around, Rhys then skittered back to Rhythm. "Momma! I wan'see Daddy!" What did he do out here in the outside? And did he have to stay where Mommy could see him too, because if he did he wasn't doing a very good job and was going to get in trouble. ""

If there was one thing that Rhythm could count on it would be that Rhyme would follow his sister. If she had the command Rhyme was sure to follow, if Rhys obeyed or not. She could hope that his ability to listen would rub off n his sister, but the probability of that was slim to none. Already she worried about them and they hadn't even scampered out the entrance.. There they went. She'd sigh softly and follow after them, noticing the sudden halt as Rhys reached the sun. With a soft giggle she'd slip past them, standing at the base of the boulder. She'd watch her children as they took in the big wide world for the first time, giggling in amusement at the reaction. It was still hard to accept that she was really letting them out into the world, but with Rhys's reaction she knew it was worth it. "Momma! I wan'see Daddy!" That would probably be a good idea, surely Valen would want to see this too? "Lets see if we can call him, yeah?" Their legs were still much too small to try and drag them all over Imperium trying to find their daddy. "Alright, tilt your head back, open your mouth, and howl..." Rhythm would demonstrate, tilting her features back the Destruction would call out for Valen, hopefully with Rhys and Rhyme singing along with her. ""

Mom didn't say anything about him staying where she could see him, but as he looked up at her he'd get that look and he knew very well that it applied just as much to him as it did to his sister. Looking rather serious for a moment he'd nod in understanding before Rhys took off. "Come on..." Rhyme needed no more encouragement and would follow after his litter mate just as quickly. He'd scramble up the almost steep entrance, finding himself just as frozen as he emerged from the den. It. Was. So. Big. He wished that his eyes would open wider as he tried to take everything in, but all he could do was squint into the sunshine as he looked out to see the world go on forever. This was what their home looked like? It was so much bigger than the den! How did mommy and daddy not get lost? Eventually his young eyes would adjust, and he'd follow after his sister of course. She'd bounce over to their mother and he'd follow, instantly liking the idea of going to see their father. "Dahdah!" He'd agree with a delighted squeal as he pushed himself against Rhys's form. He'd perk his too big ears as Rhythm told them that they needed to call for their dad. He'd beam, doing exactly as he was told. The boy would tilt back his head and eagerly call for his sire, however unimpressive his little puppy howl might be. ""