Word Count » 373
The sable-hued woman had been surprised by motherhood, and in truth, she had not wanted it when it first made itself known to her. She had never imagined herself a mother, and she did not think she would make a good one -- it had been accidental, what happened between her and Larkspur, and now they were tethered by the mingling and mixed blood coursing through the veins of their children. Eris had a choice in the matter, of course -- she had been the one to lay with him. When the children had arrived, however, from the moment of their life something had changed within the halfbreed -- she had realized their importance, and she had realized her own love for them.
The soft sounds of an approach caught her attention, and she twisted her coal ears behind her to listen to the footsteps absently. She did not recognize them immediately, and it was not until he was nearly behind her that she caught his scent. Though there had been no nervousness within the woman to begin with, she seemed to relax even more at the knowledge that it was Ouija here with her. Her head tilted back, but as he was already seated, she did not see him. Instead, she leveled her gaze again at the water, a slight jerk of surprise issued as he placed the gift around her neck.
She tilted her muzzle downward to peer at it, unable to help herself from lifting the small pouch upwards. It was intricately designed and made of snake-skin; her fingers ran over its smooth coolness and interlocking scales. Though it was no doubt beautiful, she could not bring herself to marvel at its beauty and strong handiwork. Eris whimpered softly as he leaned forward to wrap his arms around her, scooting back against him. Her head leaned toward his, and she rubbed her muzzle against his, utterly indifferent to the sight they might make if either Larkspur or Addison were to happen upon them.
“Thank you,” she said dully, able to summon her manners up only for Ouija. Anyone else would have received silence, even in the face of such a gorgeous gift, so heavy was her sorrow in this moment.
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