Hial let her tail drag against the rocky and cool earth, bright golden eyes half closed as she let her gaze rest outwards on the sea. A low rumbly purr passed through her vocals as she shifted and scooted herself closer to the warmth of the body next to her, a slow smile spreading across her maw as she glanced over. ”A good idea, this. Sometimes rest is needed.” She then looked back to the ocean view, eyes shutting fully as she raised her maw just so, enjoying the spray of the sea carried on the brisk breeze.
Audhild grunted as her mother pushed into her, grumbled as she had to shift herself into a more comfortable position. Her eyes had been closed, though one peaked open as her mother began to speak. A slow smile creeped over her maw as well, amused more than kind. ”Yes, but only letting your guard down with your favorite child, no?” She chuckled softly. She knew her mother loved she and her two sisters equally… though every once in a while the fancy that she was the favorite sneaked it’s way into her thoughts. She was almost the splitting image of her father, after all. In fact, the only traits she’d inherited from her mother were a few little birth-dot markings and an attitude to match any male’s! Her sisters were the ones that looked more or less like their mother, though with Memeha it had been hard to really tell, since it seemed the gods had drained her of color. Even if her sisters shared their mother’s coloring… Audhild still thought they looked more similar to their father… she wondered how her mother felt about that, at least once in a while.
A snort could be heard as Feykir approached, his gaze shifting between his lioness and his daughter. He liked to see his family together, it was an odd feeling of pride seeing the results of what he and Hial had created together… of course, days had passed and the small little cubs had grown and not all of his children had stayed close. It was something bitter-sweet… his little ladies needed their own adventures, their own stories. ”Aye, her favorite cause ya look jus’ like me.” An equally amused grin fell into place on his maw, growing quickly into a belly laugh as his lover’s head whipped toward him, her gaze clearly trying to inspire death. ”Ah, there she is! My beautiful Lioness.” He smirked and butted his head into Hial’s, playfully nipping at her cheek as he jumped over and settled himself next to his mate.
She snapped back at her mate, though his teasing was familiar and privately welcome. ”You two are incorrigible.” Came her only response, the eye roll contradicting the fond smile in place. ”Your journeys have been good to you, love?” She asked after a moment, tail flicking to lay itself over Feykir’s. If only her other two girls could be here now as well, the moment would be blissfully perfect.
Audhild laughed and watched her parents fondly, eyes finally open. She was not disgusted or embarrassed when they showed their love and respect for one another, or even the days they spent relentlessly teasing one another. In fact, she hoped one day she too could have some sort of bond with another that was as good as theirs.
”Hmmm, it was alright. The vikings seem more an’ more tame, of late.” He shrugged his shoulders, glancing past his only light to study his daughter, ”And when might you want to go on your first?” He grinned, thinking it could be a good bonding time with his miniature.
”Leave her be, you ask every time and her response is always the same.” She snickered, then glanced to their daughter as well, ”Besides, we agreed your first would be with me, no?” It was more to tease her mate than anything, Hial would not mind who and when Audhild took her first viking with.
”And you think me incorrigible because of him, mother.” She snorted and shook her head, ”You two keep this up and you know I will set out with neither of you by my side.” In fact, that was probably the safest bet. ”Besides, I heard gossip of your union, they wonder when you will birth a litter of healthy little boys, mother.” She chuckled, thinking the gossip was all in good fun.
Another booming laugh came straight from Feykir’s belly as his daughter teased his wife, dodging the paw that reached out to smack him in the snout. ”Aye! See now we have ‘em talking sense.” He added to the teasing, leaning over and winking to his daughter. He knew his three girls to be just as strong as Hial, and he wouldn’t have it any different… though a second litter? It was something of a possibility… they were young still, and raising the first three hadn’t been overly hellish.
”BOYS!” She sounded as though the thought was incredulous, as though she was even unable to birth such vile creatures. She swatted at her mate for extra measure. ”If the gods had wanted me to give birth to more of his kind,” She leveled a stare at her husband, ”Then they would have gifted me with such.” She concluded and then chuckled, her gaze lingering on Feykir before softening. ”Though perhaps Audhild is looking for brothers and sisters she can lord her age over?” She mumbled, smirking.
Yes, her parent’s union was something she inspired to. They offered each other constant growth, and fun, and their own brand of kindness. It was clear to any lion that spent time around them that they definitely loved on another. ”Lord my age as well as my wisdom.” She chuckled, shaking her head softly at her parents, ”Though I could just go find my own lion to give me what I want.” She winked back at her parents, laughing heartily when her mother’s paw came for her next.
Feykir groaned at his daughters implication, but he had no words for her otherwise. Her life was her own, after all. She could do exactly as she said, and really it wouldn’t be an issue. ”Aye! Look Hial, she’s settled it then. We best go, we ‘ave some business to get to!” He grinned.
Another eye roll and head shake as she swatted at her daughter. Hial knew Audhild was just talking on the breeze. ”What males do you even know?” She teased and then laughed along with her mate. ”Do as you must, Audhild.” Her words not quite a challenge, but calling her daughter’s bluff.
A deep and exasperated sigh huffed from her lungs, followed up by a little chuckle. The conversation was starting to get into a little bit too weird territory, which meant it was time to end it. She rose slowly, stretching out her limbs before moving herself to butt heads with first her mother and then her father. ”Yeah, yeah… well you do not know everything about me, mother.” She teased back, then shook her head. ”Shall I leave you two to it then?” She cackled before moving away.
”That ‘ne is definitely yer daughter.” He quipped, though he wasn’t unpleased with where the conversation had gone. It was true he and Hial both had their own aspirations outside of rearing cubs… but he did let his mind wander to a second litter every now and again. Boys would be nice, though he’d never admit that out loud. He loved his daughters just as much as he’d love any boys… they were strong and fierce like their mother, though they’d gotten his good sense of humor. He shifted himself and resettled, positioning his body closer to his mate’s now that his daughter had gone. They both fell into an easy silence, looking out across the sea.
Word Count - 1,314
