- Jul 26, 2022
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The first rays of sunlight filter through the nursery walls, painting soft streaks of gold across Butterflytuft's fur as she stirs awake. A chorus of soft snores and the occasional sleepy murmur fills the den, but her moment of peace is fleeting. The kits begin to wake as well - first a sleepy yawn from Budkit, then a curious chirp from Lambkit. Before long, Ramkit's insistence and Lambkit's boundless energy stir the rest of the den into motion.
The queen sighs fondly, rising to her paws. Herding kits in the morning is a task all its own, but she doesn't mind. "Come on, little ones," She says gently, her voice warm with patience. "Time to stretch your legs." She nudges Budkit and the other older kits toward the den entrance one by one, reminding her daughter to smooth her fur. She plants herself squarely in the entrance to prevent her young foster kits from leaving - it's warm inside, so that's where they'll play. She spends a moment coaxing Lambkit away from tussling with a scrap of moss for the third time since yesterday morning before turning her attention back outside. By the time all of the older kittens are tumbling into the clearing, Butterflytuft is grateful for the crisp leaf-bare air. It clears the sleepiness from her mind, but it also reminds her of the emptiness in her belly. A faint pang of hunger makes her sigh - she'll have to eat soon, but only after the kits are settled again.
It's then that she notices him. Edmund stands a few fox-lengths away, his frame still as he watches the kits with quiet curiosity. His pawsteps are so light she hadn't even heard their approach, but she supposes it shouldn't be surprising given his smaller size. Her gaze drops to the sleek crow dangling from his jaws. Butterflytuft tilts her head slightly, blinking in surprise as he pads closer. "Good morning, Edmund," She greets softly with a delighted smile. Her tail curls loosely around her paws as she sits. "That's a fine catch. Did you hunt it yourself?" It would be wonderfully impressive if so, with him being so new and all! She hesitates, a small flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. Surely, the crow isn't meant for her?
// @EDMUND !!