Welcome to Gaia! ::

The winds hollowing had settled by the time the sun started to peak over the horizon. Vidatyr was unbothered by the additional snow. It was winter and in the mountains that was simply the way things were. The only small trial had been digging out the mouth of his family's cave and helping others of their village do the same. No lasting injuries had been reported overnight which had been a blessing. Others had been charged with clearing fallen trees and dealing with damage to shelters and other common areas.

He had done his duty, and more, before he'd been scolded. He was shooed off by the others. They reminded him that it was his duty to witness his young son's first real foray out into the snow.

He and Orielath had been blessed by a gentle snowfall when they brought Askr's basket home from the sheltered glen where they found it at the begining of winter. Looking back, it didn't seem all that long ago, and but it had been near half a season. Now the young lad was sturdy of hoof and clad in proper fur, cloth and feathers befitting a leader's son. Still a ways to go before he could learn to use an axe or a blade but the lad drunk in all his fathers' lessons eagerly. Vidatyr's pride in the boy was immense. He would grow to be a fine warrior.

"Ada! Ada!" Askr was already awake and practically bouncing about. "More snow! Can we go play?" Da had promised when the next snowfall came they would take him out and make a day of it. "Please!?" His eyes were wide and cute. And his fangs only made his pout more pronounced.

When his Ada consented he bounced some more, sending his newly grown mane and tail length flipping everywhere. He didn't settle until his Ada produced a bone comb and then began resettling the first bit of his mane to rights.

Askr shook some of the newly brushed hair from his face, causing his Ada to shake his head. "But I already know lots of people!" More than he could count on his front talons even. Surely that was a lot?

"Itchy......" He brushed the top of his head against the coarse furs that were drapped over his Ada's back, seeking to soothe returned itching of his scalp since his mane had been tended to. As excited as he was to have big horns like Da he didn't like that they itched so much.

"Of course, mine Heart." Vidatyr tapped as much snow as he could from his paws and fetlocks before heading further inside. He nuzzled at his mate and son's cheeks in turn.

"Today is your first step toward being grown. Your Ada and I are proud to guide you on your journey and love you very much." From the looks of things Orielath had gotten him all combed out, as much as the boy could sit through at any rate. More than enough for a braid at his neck and the other adornments they had planned to give him this day. "But it is important for you to learn of the others beyond those who have visited our cave. A whole village for you to mark as family, even though not bound by blood." But they could each one be trusted as such. He counted on each for loyalty and service to their village home.

"This will not take long little one." Between he and Orielath they'd found a rhythm with the small combs and the braid was near half done already. "After this you will choose the first of your feathers." They would choose a second for him and give him one of the blue frost roses to adorn his mane. The tie at was a similar process to what the braid had been but they managed that too and Vidatyr tugged it tighter to secure it.

"How do you feel, Askr?" To have his first at last. The next would come when he was a stallion grown.

"I'm glad meleth...it suits you." It truly did. Orielath gave him another nuzzle now that the medicine was amply applied to his small horns.

"Feathers next?" He looked to his love and retrieved the appropriate basket after he nodded. "You should choose one for yourself, then your Da and I will choose one for you." Most were vibrantly colored or owlbear feathers like they both wore, but there were some choice others in the mix. Once they knew Askr's preferences then they could find more like them later on.

It took a bit of fussing but once Askr's furs were determined to be sufficient it was time to get going. From the looks of things outside Vidatyr had obviously gotten some cleaning done. Though now the snow was falling again and there was a fresh blanket of new powder over the snowpack.

Orielath clicked along leisurely after his love and son. The latter two had practically barreled out of the cave mouth, kicking up a fair amount of powder as they went. Though he kept back for the moment to avoid the deluge of flakes, their joy delighted him.

It seemed a bit of play was in order before they went search of the rose and brought Askr around for introductions.