Happy accident had managed to provide them with a snack to share, and as Sleekwing climbed from the water he jested with her and she joked right back. They had an easy relationship, uncomplicated and relaxing. Something about being with her just made him feel so at ease, and he liked that. It took away everything else, eliminated every complication in his life and hers just for them to be together. Somewhere buried in his secret heart he felt a great affection for her, but his complete lack of luck in love kept him from attributing it to anything more than friendship.

Once he had pulled the scales away from the fish he stepped back and allowed Natu first choice of their snack. After all, it had been a team effort, their acquiring this tasty morsel. She took what she wanted of the fish and then moved away to a patch of shade beneath an overhanging tree. Only when she was safely out of range did Sleekwing brace his legs and shake his entire body, droplets of water flying from his pelt in all directions. When he came to a standstill once more his wet fur stood up in odd places, though for the most part it flattened out to its usual state. Bending down he grabbed the remaining meat of the fish, then pushed the scales and remnants back into the water for the rest of the fish to enjoy. It was then that Natu asked of his children, and he glanced up at her before jogging over to the cool stone where she lay.

He settled in beside her, lying down and setting the fish meat between his forelegs, picking at it for a moment and swallowing a bite. What was there to tell though, really? He knew almost nothing about them, only their names and that they were yearlings being raised in Glorall by their two mothers. He reflected on this a moment before he gave his reply. It was clear there was no precedence to her question, mere curiosity and companionship begging the inquiry. “I’ve two daughters, Alcmene and Mana, and a son, Los. They’re over a year old now, which I can hardly believe. I’ve not seen them since the night they first squirmed blindly against their mother’s abdomen.” He paused, shaking his head with a smile of disbelief. “They’ll be huge now,” he said, glancing over at Natu as he continued. “Their mother is Malina; she is my imprint. She has raised them in Glorall with her chosen mate, a female demon named Rogue.” It was an odd concept for him to grasp at first, but to know that Rogue made Malina happy was really all that mattered to him.

For a moment he looked down, reaching forward and grabbing another bit of white flesh and picking through the bones before swallowing it. He lifted his gaze once more to Natu’s icy blue eyes. “They are meant to come yet this summer; I hope Malina has not had trouble convincing them to come.” There was some small bit of him that worried that might be the reason for their delay, though he could hardly have guessed that in reality it was a death in Rogue’s family that had caused such upheaval in their lives. It made no matter, really; he was just eager to spend time with his progeny. He gave her a moment to reflect on what he’d told her, to respond in whatever way she might, before he asked, “Tell me more of Sven.” It was an open ended question, Sleekwing just as curious about Sven’s existence as Natu might have been about his litter’s.