4/3/2026, 6:09 PM
“Where you two going, hm?”
It had been weeks since Iglux̂ had gone out, except to relieve herself. It was not that she was particularly depressed or worried, but she scarcely had time to focus on anything except her basic routine. Cen delivered meat and furs; she was always starving. A woman she had not yet met left herbs and medicines. Otherwise, it was the five of them and the silver, often in a sleep-deprived haze. With those eyes now she regards her sons’ wriggling tails at the den’s edge.
Near her breast are the other three, suckling with eyes squeezed shut, breathing in fast, little inhales. Iglux̂ sighs. She’s not a particularly knowledgeable or experienced mother, and she felt she was barely muddling through most of the time. But at least she was good at feeding. It had been easy, intuitive, perhaps the only part of the experience which had come naturally for her. She loved being needed in this most fundamental of ways.
Little Yesbaa is still sucking steadily, making the smallest noises that have become somehow comforting to her over these last three weeks.
“Don’t forget your sister, boys.” She nuzzles down to kiss the tiny, warm crown, then stands up, straightening her legs.
It is time for them to meet their world.
It had been weeks since Iglux̂ had gone out, except to relieve herself. It was not that she was particularly depressed or worried, but she scarcely had time to focus on anything except her basic routine. Cen delivered meat and furs; she was always starving. A woman she had not yet met left herbs and medicines. Otherwise, it was the five of them and the silver, often in a sleep-deprived haze. With those eyes now she regards her sons’ wriggling tails at the den’s edge.
Near her breast are the other three, suckling with eyes squeezed shut, breathing in fast, little inhales. Iglux̂ sighs. She’s not a particularly knowledgeable or experienced mother, and she felt she was barely muddling through most of the time. But at least she was good at feeding. It had been easy, intuitive, perhaps the only part of the experience which had come naturally for her. She loved being needed in this most fundamental of ways.
Little Yesbaa is still sucking steadily, making the smallest noises that have become somehow comforting to her over these last three weeks.
“Don’t forget your sister, boys.” She nuzzles down to kiss the tiny, warm crown, then stands up, straightening her legs.
It is time for them to meet their world.
