Silver Fyre & Caritha

In the quiet solitude of the basement, Silver Fyre cleaned her two young pups, bathing each one in a shower of soft caresses. They were only a few hours old, and she'd not yet alerted Aizen or the others of their birth. As full as her heart was with joy, there was also fear and uncertainty; one of her beautiful pups was born different than the others, and she feared what these abnormalities would mean for her future in the Shadow Haunters.

While little Caritha squirmed blindly towards the soft belly of her mother, Silver gave her a nudge towards a teat, then spent a little extra time bathing Cynical; the pup that was missing a tail, and an entire hind limb.

Quilikahm

It was a few hours later when Quilikahm ventured down into the dark recesses of the Basement, her tiny hooves scarcely making a sound against the worn, stone steps. The little muntjac trotted towards the new mother, dragging with her the leg of some young cervid. After dropping this before Silver, the diminutive deer gazed upon the newborn pups and murmured quietly, "Two? Same number as Lupa had." Her nose twitched, but she dared not stretch her dainty neck forward to give the twin sisters a closer inspection, just in case it triggered any anger from Silver Fyre, "Would you like me to alert Aizen and other others? I presume he is the father..?"

Silver Fyre & Caritha

When she heard the deft thump of tiny hooves, Silver Fyre nudged Cynical closer to her belly and shifted her tail to partially cover the twin girls. Quili could still see them as she approached, but the birth defects would be obscured by dark fur.

"Thank you." She smiled and offered quietly to the meat that was dropped before her. When Aizen was mentioned, her smile broadened into something more sincere, helping to mask the anxiety she was feeling. "He is, and yes. Would... could you request that he come down here, just briefly?"

Quilikahm

Her little nose twitched, and her large eyes fished for details, but there wasn't much Quil could see beyond Silver's tail and belly fur. Only that the two pups were squirming about and suckling, which at least was a good sign. "I can inform him of the birth, but I can't grant him permission in the Basement. That will have to come from Senka or Tersek." The muntjac lingered for a moment longer before turning back and heading up the steps.

Aizen

Aizen did ask senka already and got permission but he would of come with or with out it.even if Senka hadn't given me permission I have the right to see my pups and my mateHe said. But he would indeed always ask first. He then moved to his mate and licked the top of her head and then sniffed the little ones. He noted the one missing her left hind leg and a tail. His ears slightly went back not because he didn't like that the pup was lacking but he knew how the older haunters were treat her. I hope these two form a close bondhe said softly licking both of their heads and letting their tiny mouths touch him to get his scent. Because this little one will need her sister. But I will not let the other haunts look down on her in any way. She will be just as strong as the rest of usHe said softly.

Cynical felt the lick and pushed her blind face against what licked her unknowing.

Silver Fyre & Caritha

Silver was grateful to see her mate, though she waited until Quililkahm was well and truly gone before she moved her tail and let it thump against the musty stone floor. "Aizen, am I glad to see you." She gave him a few licks on the muzzle as she moved closer to see their new children. Her joy then dampened, dark brows angling sharply as she studied little Cynical. "I was thinking..." She began, speaking with a touch of sorrow and fear, "...it might be safer to take her to my grandfather. I know you guys don't trust Ethan, but I know him. He'd give her a good home, and Tommy would help keep her safe." It pained her to even suggest such a thing, but she'd seen how miserable Ursa was, and it pained her even more to think of how Cynical might be treated as she got older.

Aizen

He froze at her words and bared his teeth.No she will not live with a filthy human she will live here with her family. That like saying i would of done better with him. That human can't die and any pet who defends him will stay away from my familyHe said. IF she even dared t otry to take his children to human territory. He would not let a human touch his children. It would of been like saying I would of been safer wit hthat filthy two legger. No no that is wrong. I have done great, she will do just as a good as myself.

Silver Fyre & Caritha

Her auds flinched back at Aizen's strong reaction, and she almost regretted bringing it up. Almost.

"I know how you feel about him." She began gently, her tones calm and focused. Her dark ears came forward again and she held his gaze, not to challenge him, but to portray how seriously she considered Ethan as an option. "He wasn't good to you or your sister, but I know Ethan better than most, and he does have a soft spot for some. Chent, his cat - he's treated like royalty. And he pampers Hydra. Even my grandpa is given better treatment than the other hounds." She pressed her muzzle forward, nudging his snout with hers as she tried to soften his anger with a small show of affection. "I just want you to consider the idea, in case the others don't respond well to her."

Aizen

He snorted "it's not an option. She stays here where she belongs. She is healthy just like me. She will be able to do anything the others can. If that human so much as looks at my pups I will kill him. He is no better then the other two leggers. My children will never be kept captive like that. They will be with the haunters this is their home and I'll die before I ever consider that an option. It is not an option"

Aizen

Her nuzzle is ignore. "The other will accept her like they do me. To me it makes me think you don't want her. The idea you suggest is no idea at all. The animals under that human are brainwashed. If you don't want our daughters then you give them their meal and momo will raise them." He said. He would have momo make sure silvyr didn't try to take either of his daughters to that human. " If you try to bring them to that two leggers I will bring the haunters there to retrieve them" he said. He loved silver but her idea makes him wonder if she rather be with the two legger

Silver Fyre & Caritha

She endured her mate's fierce response with patience, knowing his experience with Ethan was quite different from her own. Aizen had grown up with the Haunters, and that's where his loyalty and familiarity firmly lay. "All I'm saying is that we need to keep our options open, for the sake of our daughters." Silver persisted, albeit in a quieted tone to try and sooth Aizen's fury, and avoid the ears of any Haunters who may be listening upstairs. "I see how miserable Ursa is, and I don't want that for our little one. Momo struggles as well, and Quinn is so withdrawn."

When Aizen threatened to have the pups removed, Silver Fyre pressed her ears forward and nudged Cynical closer to her belly, once again burying the pup amongst her dark fur in a wordless gesture of protection. "I want what's best for our girls, we both do." She huffed quietly and let her ears relax a little, "Lets not worry about it now; time will tell how severe her impairments are. Until then, I don't want the other Haunters knowing of her condition."

Aizen

"Ethan that pathetic two legger is not an option period the end" he said. "What's best for our daughters is to never be touched by two leggers. They will remain wild and free" he said. "She does not have their impairment she has mine and I will not hide my daughter that will do her no good? He said. "Only my father has qualms about those like me for a higher up you worry for no reason"

Silver Fyre & Caritha

"We don't know what her impairments will be yet." Silver Fyre argued, "It's not just her leg that is gone, but her entire tail, just like Ursa. Her balance will be affected." It pained her to even have this argument, as the last thing she wanted was to have to give up her daughter to anyone. But more than her own wants, Silver wanted her daughter to have the best shot at life, and was torn on who could give that to her. "I hope that you're right and she'll be able to compensate, but I don't want her to suffer as your sisters do." She wouldn't bring up Ethan again, not to Aizen, but the idea remained firmly in her mind.

Aiden

He sighed.and she will learn how to cope with the loss. Urse doesn't cope because of how severe her impairments are and my fathers view on things doesn't help the thing. Momo and Quinn both seem fine now. Momo is stubborn and determined and Quinn is following right behindh erHe said. She is born without the leg, meaning she will be use to it. Her balance will be just fine like mine. She will learn easily how to cope with the loss of a tail and leg much easier then one who started with them nad lost themHe said. If Silver ever tried to bring either of his daughters there or even try to teach them that ethen was a good human he would take them from her as much as he loved his mate he would not let his children believe those lies.

Silver Fyre & Caritha

Silver Fyre wasn't sure how much she believed in her mate's confidence on Cynical's future, but she was wise enough not to keep pushing it - lest she get her pups taken away. He was dead-set against taking her to the humans, and no amount of arguing was going to change that. The new mother sought a different route, and changed the subject with a quiet comment, "If she's anything like you, she'll grow up strong despite her setbacks." She lowered her head, nestling it against her plush tail, and next to her two suckling pups. Her mind was racing, but she hid her anxiety behind half-shuttered eyes and a muffled yawn.

Aizen

He let it go for now.She will be fineHe said nuzzling both before going to find his sister.momo I want you to keep an eye on Silver for meHe said softly. Momo noddd.