Helotes was out with his children once more, but this time Timori was also tagging along. The boy had grown considerably in the past months, and especially now that he could shift. Helotes had noticed that, despite the sudden arrival of his father and the just as sudden disappearance of both he and Zana, Timori was still comfortable with Helotes’ company. This filled the Lykoi male with pride and gratitude, for he considered Timori like a son, and was relying on him more and more now that the puppies were growing.

The two male hybrids walked side by side as the pups ran about them like little whirlwinds. They spoke amiably about nothing in particular, though Timori was once again pushing the subject of training on Helotes. The Hydra was willing to give the de le Poer male training, but wanted to wait until Basilio and Azucena were older; the wait was absolutely killing Timori, who felt useless. Helotes had reassured him that he was anything but, that he could not have done as well as he had in the past couple weeks without him. This encouragement seemed to soothe Timori’s impatience.
The family was heading towards the borders for no particular reason, though Helotes felt a bit of scouting might be a good opportunity to teach his children stealth, though he knew the only reason they weren’t complaining about walking in the hot sun was because they would get to see the painting skulls. Helotes smiled as the two of them run ahead; they were getting so big… well, at least Azucena was, Basilio would be forever cursed to live within his pygmy form, but that didn’t seem to bother him in the least bit.

As the family came up over a grassy knoll, Helotes spotted a figure ahead; it was a female, a lithe figure with a splash of crimson across her snout, nearly the same color as his own. He and Timori glanced at each other and the younger man nodded and gave a shrill whistle. The two Lykoi children turned on their heels and went back to their adopted brother and he held them back as Helotes continued towards the woman, Hello cousin. He said amiably, because he knew she had to be one, most likely another grandchild of Kaena’s. Now that he was closer, he saw the Lykoi star tattooed on her breast, and he subconsciously touched his own. The placement of it reminded him of Halo, and she looked similar to the now broken woman, as well as Enkiel, who had left with Ezekiel; they were more likely closer related to each other then he might be to her.

When she spoke her name, a spark of recognition grew in his mind. Now that he thought about it, he had heard her name spoken by the many tongues of the clan, he was surprised he hadn’t remembered such a lovely name, especially when it was matched to so beautiful a face. Helotes actually found this Sepirah quite attractive, especially since her coat so mirrored his own. But the disappearance of Zana was still fresh on his heart, and after the comments of others he felt that he might never search for intimacy within his family ever again.

He smirked as she commented on the skulls and how perhaps his children would add to them someday, Oh, I’m sure they will, in one way or another. his voice trailed off when suddenly a ruckus could be heard. He turned to see that his children had somehow managed to knock over one of the pikes and were currently wrestling over who got the chance to play with the downed skull. Of course, a worried and frustrated Timori was already in the midst of righting the pike, and he looked over at Helotes with an apologetic face. The Lykoi male laughed, Ah, what a wonderful handful. He turned back to Sepirah, Do you have children? He didn’t recall seeing her with pups, but perhaps there had been some in the past. Either way, it would be a shame if she didn’t have offspring, she was so lovely to look at, her children would surely be the same.

Helotes watched with pride as Basilio, despite his tiny size, was putting up a damn good fight against his much larger sister for the skull. So good in fact, Azucena shook her head in frustrated and let him to it, and he triumphant sprawled his entire pygmy body over the entirety of the skull, panting heavily with a Cheshire grin just like is father’s; Helotes shook his head in wonder.

Sephirah said that she did not have children, and the lack of emotion in her voice was all too familiar; it reminding him immediately of Ilusion, his sister. At a young age, she had miscarried her first and only litter, and now the wounds had healed; for the most part. The way Sephirah had answered that question was much like how Ilusion might have, which meant there was more behind the nonchalant façade, and Helotes knew not to push those buttons. Pity, He said though, crossing his arms, Any children you might have will be stunning. He grinned at her; perhaps he had been a little immature in thinking he might not find intimacy within his family.

Her next question caught him a bit off guard and he had to look over to the trio of young ones back at the pike, which had now been righted again by Timori who was places the skull back atop it. Helotes supposed they all could be his children, but it was a strange bunch; the smokey, much older pup; the fiery female pup; and the small Basilio. Helotes chuckled a bit, The unshifted ones are mine by Zana Avaya Lykoi, the older one is Timori de le Poer; not my son by blood but that matters little; he is my son. This was the first time he had said this out loud, and it sounded somewhat strange and Timori looked up at him at that very moment, almost as if he had heard him, a smile on his youthful face.

Helotes looked to Sepirah as she made the comment about Basilio and couldn’t help but laugh, Oh yes, he may be small of body but not of heart. It seems he inherited both his mother’s and my own fire. I don’t think anything is going to stop him. It was true, Basilio seemed to have a fire within his tiny belly that was unquenchable; he would be a force to be reckoned with as an adult. His mother had always had the added benefit of a disguise in her small frame, those who would seek to destroy her thought it easy, but Zana was not to be trifled with, and neither would Basilio be.

The kids finally came over to meet Sepirah, the two small puppies looking up at her with bright eyes, pink tongues lolling out of their smiling faces. Timori was a little more demure and bowed his head slightly to the taller woman. Then unceremoniously, Basilio piped up, "There’s a snake in your hair!" Like it was the darndest thing he had ever seen. Azucena was quick to push against him, "It’s a pet, stupid." and Basilio turned to his sister with a fierce puppy growl.

Helotes chuckled again, Now, now, settle down Niño’s. He looked to Sepirah then, It is a pleasure to have met you, cousin, please do not hesitate to find me at the mansion any time. And with their goodbyes said, the family departed the borders for new adventures, or, a quick trip home for dinner.