Babushka.

No sweeter melody had been spoken since Amaranth's first admission of love for her, since the cries of their newborn pups. To have now achieved the honor of Babushka was, perhaps, the final milestone of her life, the last goalpost to reach and then relish in rapturous victory.

Valeska's brows raised a fraction of a curious inch as Dimitri called himself their Мама - but then, the boy had always been fluid in many ways, ever-changing and growing to suit his current nature and surroundings. If Dimitri wished to be Мама, then Мама he would be.

Dimitri made formal introduction of the children, listing their names off in methodical fashion as if they weren't some of the holiest words she'd ever heard before or since. It was almost unnerving the way she hungrily stared into the den.

And then -

A small face. This small face was attached to the round, portly body of a pup almost the color of pitch, save for bright accents of gold and white and the peculiar tufted ears the Callosums seemed to carry. Valeska opened her mouth to choke out an emotional greeting when another small face popped up, and this one was primarily silver with golden flecks; again she tried to speak, but the pup rolled onto her back and lifted her limbs toward Babushka.

Paw quivering, Valeska reached out toward Éabha's round belly with feather-light delicacy, as if touching a newly-emerged butterfly from its chrysalis in wonder.

Soft and warm - just like Dimitri's had been at that age. Just like all of their pups.

Amaranth stayed at a safe distance, historically having a more hands-off approach toward parenting and children as a whole. Valeska motioned with her head for the Augur to come closer, and if one knew her well enough, there was a nuance in her expression that belied something close to a threat if she did not.

Fiadh interrupted long enough to make a sort of greeting toward Valeska, but the Russian woman pursed her lips and tutted in response. Swearing in front of the children! Fiadh! she admonished. По крайней мере подождите пока они не станут старше. (At least wait until they are older)

She tilted up her chin piously.

Then they may be responsible for their own terrible behavior, she finished. Also, it is alarming to have an infant swearing back at you. Trust me.

Valeska did not need to mention her own colorful language as a parent.

Dimitri knew.

Graaaaagghhhhclk.

Valeska did, however, agree that she sounded like shit.

Two more chubby shapes rolled away from where Fiadh had lain, one swathed in an array of blondes - clearly taking an interest in the other predominant blonde, Amaranth - while the other sported a reddish coat and exhibited a more aggressive demeanor than her nearby sibling.

So brave! So strong!

But then another shadow rose on unsteady paws, and the muted silver tones of a girl who bore a striking resemblance to Dimitri came forward - Valeska sat at the ready, eyes glittering and forelegs spread wide to accept the love of her beautiful grandchild -

- and watched as Siobhan walked past her to body-check the red one.

Oh, no.

History was doomed to repeat itself for eternity.

Nevertheless, Valeska could not stop her fluffy, cloud-like tail from thumping a steady rhythm on the ground, her heart full of a love she could hardly contain.

Dimitri nearly falls to pieces when Sasha reaches her. Her little ones, moving and trying to talk and... Beating the shit out of each other. Okay, maybe Darragh and Siobhan's fighting isn't very cute, but Dimitri has to respond one at a time. Comforting Sasha takes priority, given Eabha just bowled her over. She noses Sasha's body, checking for any injuries. Nothing. Eabha probably couldn't hurt Sasha if she tried.

She goes give Fiadh a quiet look of embarrassment, but knows that certain habits die hard. And frankly, swearing is the least of their concerns. Steller's Sea lurks around the den, a shadow on the wall, talking about the importance of legacy, and Dimitri doesn't like the way it makes Fiadh act.

Her eyes glance towards Amaranth, though the pups find her much sooner. "When you have bonded with them," Dimitri says, pressing her cheek to Sasha's head, "we'll have to catch up on matters of Elysium. We're likely staying in Avon until the girls are a bit more grown. Fable has been good to us, and her daughters will make good playmates for ours."

And honestly, it feels a bit good to have a change of scenery. Dimitri doesn't want to admit that perhaps seeing more of the world has been good for her; it would make her seem ungrateful for home.

Skill: N/A

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Finally, finally with Mama!

...and Éabha ruins it.

The pup was about to be mad, mouth parted, ready with a loud squeal... but then she saw the strange woman, the source of that odd smell—naught but a silver blur—but a silver blur that looked so much like Mama. Looked so much like her... but it wasn't quite the same. Curiosity killed the cat. The whelp set her sights on her, instead.

With her newfound ability to walk, Sasha wobbled closer, carefully stepping over the hard ground. Each pace was a gamble of whether or not she would finally collapse. Her breath grew heavy with effort—god, this was hard!

The dark pup finally halted before the silver form. She tilted her head with an inquisitive squeak.

Who was this?

Babushka...

Babu!! Sasha yipped.